Sri Anantha Padmanabha Temple is located at Odeyanakere in Ramenahalli, which comes under Sidlaghatta taluk, Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka. The temple stands on the banks of a sacred lake called Odeyanakere.The ancient shrine of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy is believed to be around 1,500 years old.
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy. The Lord is depicted in a reclining posture on Anantha (Adishesha, the cosmic serpent), symbolizing eternal time and cosmic order. Devotees believe that worshipping Anantha Padmanabha grants protection, prosperity, and harmony in family life. On Anantha Chaturdashi, devotees tie the sacred thread (Anantha dhara) seeking divine blessings.
The temple is unique because the main shrine is completely submerged in the sacred lake. It is believed that the original sanctum with the Udbhava murti (self-manifested idol) lies 40–50 feet below the water. Even the gopuram (tower) of the later temple is under nearly 10 feet of water.
At present, an elevated platform has been built above the partially visible gopuram, enabling devotees to perform puja and offer prayers. In addition, a new temple complex is being constructed nearby to facilitate daily rituals and darshan.
According to legend, deep beneath the waters of Odeyanakere lies a Udbhava murti of Lord Padmanabha Swamy. Devotees believe that this form of the Lord manifested on its own, making the spot highly sacred. The shrine, built nearly 1,500 years ago, slowly sank into the lake over time, but the sanctity of the deity has never diminished.
The locals believe that the waters of the lake are blessed by Lord Vishnu Himself, and hence, Odeyanakere is not just a water body but a divine tirtha (sacred pond). Worship is offered on the banks, symbolically connecting devotees with the submerged deity. This belief makes the temple a rare site where the Lord resides hidden in the depths of water, blessing devotees silently.
According to legend, deep beneath the waters of Odeyanakere lies a Udbhava murti of Lord Padmanabha Swamy. Devotees believe that this form of the Lord manifested on its own, making the spot highly sacred. The shrine, built nearly 1,500 years ago, slowly sank into the lake over time, but the sanctity of the deity has never diminished.
The locals believe that the waters of the lake are blessed by Lord Vishnu Himself, and hence, Odeyanakere is not just a water body but a divine tirtha (sacred pond). Worship is offered on the banks, symbolically connecting devotees with the submerged deity. This belief makes the temple a rare site where the Lord resides hidden in the depths of water, blessing devotees silently.
