Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple celebrates the Mannarasala Ayilyam Festival annually in October-November (Thulam), a 3-day event honoring Lord Nagaraja with traditional rituals and vibrant celebrations.
മണ്ണരസാല ആയില്യം ഉത്സവം 2025 മണ്ണരസാല ശ്രീ നാഗരാജ ക്ഷേത്രം | Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple Alappuzha
The Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple is associated with the story of how Lord Parasurama cleaved out the land known as Kerala. As he found the land infertile and infested with snakes, he is said to have invoked Nagaraja. The Snake God agreed to move and settle at a place that came to be known as Mannarasala. Lord Parasurama installed an idol of the Serpent King along with Sarpayakshi and assigned a scholarly Brahmin to carry out daily rituals for Nagaraja. Once when hundreds of snakes perished in a forest fire, others who got hurt are said to have crawled into pits near the place which are part of the temple premises now. The childless wife of the Brahmin anointed them with turmeric powder, milk, honey and tender coconut water.
Pleased with her selfless service, Nagaraja is said to have appeared in her dream promising to be soon born as her son. The Brahmin lady gave birth to a five-hooded serpent child and a male child. When the two brothers grew up, the five hooded elder brother disappeared into the underground cellar of the Illom (the Brahmin ancestral home) for meditation after assigning the family responsibilities to his brother. He also requested his mother to do certain rituals without fail. He is said to have conveyed that the poojas have to be performed by the female members of his mother's family. This custom is followed to this day. Ever since, Mannarasala Amma has been venerated as the mother of Lord Nagaraja and devotees from all over the world come to the place for her blessings.
Mannarasala Ayilyam Festival 2025 | Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple Haripad Alappuzha
The festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Thulam to seek the blessings of the Serpent King, Nagaraja and other snake deities at the place. Special prayers and offerings are made at the Illam (the Brahmin ancestral home). A special procession in which all serpent idols in the temple and sacred grove are taken to the Illam is the highlight of the festival. Nagaraja, the presiding deity of the
temple is carried by the priestess or Mannarasala Amma. Various rituals like Uruli Kamazhthal, Noorum Palum etc are performed.
Temple Location
📍
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple,
Mannarasala Dewaswom, Mannarasala P.O,
Haripad - 690514,
Kerala
Accessibility
🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: Town Hall Junction - 1.6 Km
🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Haripad KSRTC Bus Stand - 2.4 Km
🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Haripad Railway Station - 2.7 Km
✈️ Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport - 103 Km
CONTACT
📞 +91-479-2160300 , +91-479-2413214
✉️ info@mannarasala.org
🌐 www.mannarasala.org
