About Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple is a serpent temple at Mannarasala in Haripad Municipality, Alappuzha district, Kerala. Kerala Tourism describes it as one of the most famous and most powerful of Kerala’s serpent shrines. The presiding deity is Nagaraja, the Serpent King, and the temple stands within a sacred grove of serpent idols (the sarpa kaavu).
About and History
The legend of the temple is tied to the story of how Parashurama reclaimed the land of Kerala. According to the account published by Kerala Tourism, he found the land infertile and infested with snakes and is said to have invoked Nagaraja. The Snake God agreed to move and settle at a place that came to be known as Mannarasala.
Local tradition holds that the place name began as Mandarasala, after the Mandara trees where Nagaraja is said to have chosen to reside, and changed over time to Mannarasala. Parashurama is said to have installed the deity by Vedic rites and appointed Brahmins, tantric experts, to perform the poojas.
Mannarasala Amma
The temple is closely linked with the Mannarasala Illam, the Brahmin ancestral family home beside the shrine. Kerala Tourism records that Mannarasala Amma is venerated as the mother of Lord Nagaraja, and that devotees travel from many places for her blessings. At the annual festival the presiding deity’s image is carried by the priestess, the Mannarasala Amma.
Temple Timings
5:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Timings are not confirmed on an official website; check with the temple before travelling.
Email: [email protected]
For More info about Sree Nagaraja Temple Mannarasala
The temple’s own website currently carries a notice that it is being renovated, and directs devotees to book poojas at the temple directly or through its online booking site, online.mannarasala.org.
Important Festivals and days to visit
The main festival is the Ayilyam festival, held every year in the Malayalam month of Thulam (October-November). It is held over three days, and the Kerala Tourism festival listing records attendance of over 50,000 people. The listed programme includes:
- Ayilyam Ezhunellathu, a procession in which the idols of the temple and the sacred grove are taken to the Illam
- Maha Deepakazhcha, a festival of lamps
- Noorum Palum, an offering of rice flour and milk, one of the main rituals
- Uruli Kamazhthal, another of the rituals performed at the festival
- A feast, musical renditions and a cultural meeting
Special prayers and offerings are made at the Illam during the festival. The festival date depends on the Ayilyam star in Thulam, so confirm the exact day with the temple office before planning a visit. Note that one Kerala Tourism page gives the period as September-October while the festival listing gives October-November.
Temple Contact Numbers
+91 479 2413214 | +91 479 2160300
How to reach
By Train: Haripad railway station is the nearest, about 2.7 km from the temple according to Kerala Tourism.
By Bus: Haripad KSRTC Bus Stand is about 2.4 km away, according to Kerala Tourism.
By Air: Check distances to your nearest airport before travelling; the figure previously listed here is not confirmed on an official source.
Address
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, Mannarasala Dewaswom, Mannarasala P.O, Haripad, Kerala, 690514.
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple Map
