Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple is one of the famous tourist designations and one among popular temples in Kerala. Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja temple is known to have umpteen snakes crawl all over the place at all times- on the steps, in the hedges, on the creepers etc. temple near Harippad in the Alappuzha or Alleppey district of Kerala.
Mannarasala Temple is often visited by swarms of devotees from far and near to offer prayers to the serpent god, Nagaraja. The majestic shrine is internationally known and is mostly visited by women seeking fertility. And when their prayers are heard, they come here to conduct thanksgiving ceremonies and most of the time bring along more snake paintings to adorn the spot. the divine shrine is under the support of a Brahmin family. And unlike other temples in the country, Mannarasala Temple is headed by a priestess whom the devotees fondly call as Mannarasala Amma.
Mannarasala Temple Snakes, Timings History
The Mannarasala Ayilyam Festival will be one of the strangest festivals you will ever come across in Kerala that makes you dumbfounded with its unique legend and rituals. Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja temple is adorned with over thirty thousand paintings and drawings of snakes all along the paths crisscrossing the serene forest area. Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja temple is marked with over thirty thousand paintings and drawings of snakes along the path and over the trees in the surrounding grove. majestic shrine is internationally known and is mostly visited by women seeking fertility. And when their prayers are heard, they come here to conduct thanksgiving ceremonies and most of the times bring along more snake paintings to adorn the spot. Mannarasala Temple is headed by a priestess whom the devotees fondly call as Mannarasala Amma.
The temple is adorned with over thirty thousand paintings and drawings of snakes all along the paths crisscrossing the serene forest area. Mannarasala Temple is often visited by swarms of devotees from far and near to offer prayers to the serpent god, Nagaraja. It is believed that the deity in this pilgrim center is blessed with the spirit of Lord Shiva and has the form of Lord Vishnu. Many devotees from different regions visit this temple to offer prayers to the deity. Mannarasala Nagaraja temple is in the middle of a forest area and many idols of snakes can be seen in the temple premises. Many barren women visit the temple to seek blessings of the Nagaraja for children.
Also Read: Tholi Ekadasi 2020 Date Timings, Pooja Fasting Rules
Women blessed with babies usually come back to the temple to show their gratitude. many devotees perfomed special poojas and conducted elaborate poojas and offered a mixture of ghee, milk, Payasam, rice powder, turmeric powder, coconut juice, bananas, cow’s milk to the Nagaraja as a ritual. Mannarasala Amma performs special prayers and poojas which is followed by the ‘Thattil Noorumpalum’ ritual conducted by the Karanavar which marks the end of the annual Mannarasala Ayilyam Festival.
Mannarasala temple has a special turmeric paste offered to the devotees which are believed to possess curative powers. on Mannarsala Ayilyam festival day, are taken to visit the families having any connections with the temple. Further, offerings of nurul palam (kheer), kuruthi (prasad with turmeric and lime), and rice are made. The procession is carried with a great pomp and show.
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple Kerala
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja temple complex will be thronged by thousands of devotees during the Ayilyam Festival to seek the blessings of Lord Nagaraja. To be a part of this festival is a uniquely enriching and divine experience of a lifetime. Mannarasala Ayilyam celebrated with much religious fervor on the Ayilyam asterism in the Malayalam month of Thulam. The main attraction of this festival is the grand procession in which all the serpent idols in the sacred grove and the Mannarasala Temple are taken to the Illam where special prayers and offerings like Nurum Palum (rice flour and milk) are performed. Mannarasala Amma will carry the golden idol of the main deity to the Illam. The rituals and offerings during the Ayilyam Festival seem very strange and astonishing.
How to Reach Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
The temple is located 3 kms south-east from Alleppey in the district of Haripad on NH 47. Various cabs and auto rickshaws are available near the Haripad bus station and Railway station to reach Mannarassala at nominal fare. Since located near the highway almost equidistant between the cities of Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple Timings
Deity: Mannarasala Aayilyam, Shivaratri
Temple Timing: 05:00AM-12:00PM & 05:30PM – 07:30 PM
Main Festivals: Mannarasala Aayilyam, Shivaratri
Accommodation Facility
Mandaram – Guest House and Vegetarian Restaurant, A/C and non A/C rooms available.Contact for reservations: 0479-2417662, 0479-2417663
Mannarasala sree Nagaraja Temple
Mannarasala Dewaswom
Mannarasala P.O, Haripad, Kerala, India
Tel +91 479 2413214
Email: info@mannarasala.org
Contact Information: +91 479 2413214 | info@mannarasala.org
for more information stay tuned to TTD Seva Online. Check and bookmark us.
