Mannarasala Temple, Alleppey

Introduction to the Mannarasala Temple

The Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple, or Mannarasala Temple, is a prominent temple for serpent worship close to Haripad in Alappuzha district, Kerala. This notable serpent temple is now under the patronage of a Namboodiri Brahmin family headed by a priestess. Unlike other temples in Kerala, a priestess leads this holy shrine. This famous temple is dedicated to Nagaraja, the serpent deity. It is believed that the serpent in this sacred spot is honored with the holy spirit of Shiva and has the form of Vishnu. Devotees from various places visit this Mannarasala Temple to offer prayers to the serpent. The Mannarasala Temple sprawls over 16 acres of land in a thick green forest grove. The primary idols are the serpent king Nagaraja and his companion, Sarpayakshini.

Legend of the Mannarasala Temple

According to the temple legend, the main priestess, the late Valia Amma of the Mannarasala Temple, gave birth to a five-headed snake. It survived in the ancestral home and protected the family.

The place where the temple stands had high salinity, so people who lived there began to leave the place. Disheartened by their migration, Sage Parasuram began doing penance to please Shiva. His devotion pleased Shiva, and he advised Parasuram to worship Nagaraja.

After doing rigorous penance, Parasuram pleased Nagaraja (the serpent deity), who blessed him with desalinated land. Further, Nagaraja promised his eternal presence in Kerala. Hence, according to the request of Parasuram, Nagaraja decided to live at a place chosen by Parasuram

The Architecture of the Mannarasala Temple

The Mannarasala Temple complex features typical Kerala-style architecture. According to legend, Sage Parasuram installed the primordial deity Nagaraja in the temple. Namboothiri Brahmin families, the priestly community, have been maintaining the temple for generations. Devotees can see hundreds of serpent sculptures along the temple paths and grounds.
The temple complex has a wide entrance. There is a Mandapa for the devotees to sit and perform rituals and religious ceremonies. Intricately carved wooden pillars and ceilings with exotic artwork beautify the Mandapa.

The sanctum is also known as Sreekovil, and it is the holiest part, housing the serpent Nagarajas's idol. It is square-shaped, with a pyramidal roof made of copper-plated brass.
Surrounding the Sreekovil, devotees can see a series of smaller shrines called the Nalambalam. Vasuki, Nagayakshi, Bhadra Kali, Ganapati, Shiva, Shasta, and Naga Yakshi bless the devotees from Nalambalam. The Mannarasala Temple has Valiyakulam and Sarpakavu Kulam sacred ponds. The water from the holy ponds is used for temple rituals.

The Mannarasala Temple also has a Kizhukkettu, a traditional ancestral house for the Brahmin family associated with the temple. Additionally, the temple complex features a sacred grove called Sarpakavu, a natural forest area believed to be the abode of snakes. The grove is well-maintained and revered as a place of worship.

Festivals in the Mannarasala Temple

Mannarasala Ayilyam festival, which falls on the Ayilyam Nakshatra day in the months of Masi, Purrattasi, and Aippasi, is celebrated as the major festival in the Mannarasala Temple. During the procession (Ezhunnalathu), all the serpent idols of the temple are taken to the Brahmin ancestral home. The priestess carries the golden idol of the presiding deity (Thidambu) to the ancestral home. The two eldest male members of the family carry the idols of Nagayakshi Amma and Nagachamundi Amma on their heads and reach the ancestral home. Special prayers continue till late at night along with the Thattil Noorum Palum (a mixture of rice, turmeric powder, and milk) offering.

The temple performs Ayilyam Pooja on every Ayilyam, but Ezhunnalathu Procession takes place only during the months of Masi, Purrattasi, and Aippasi.

Mahashivratri festival is also celebrated here with religious zeal.

Sarpam Pattu is the most pleasing of all Poojas to the serpent deities. The temple has been conducting this rare, sacred ceremony once every forty-one years.

Benefits of Worshipping at Mannarasala Temple

Childless couples visit the Mannarasala Temple to seek the deity's blessings for children. Ladies blessed with babies return here to express gratitude by offering the deity new serpent images of copper or silver. The most popular offering is Uruli Kamazhthal, which involves placing an inverted bell metal vessel before the deity for fertility.

In the temple, devotees can get a special turmeric paste, Prasadam, which is believed to have incredible curative powers for many diseases. In the Mannarasala Temple, people take treatment for rat poison and snake poison.

Devotees believe that the deities help solve all doshas and sins associated with serpents.