Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, Haripad

The famous Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple is located at Haripad and the deity is the serpent god ‘Nagaraja’. This temple is at a distance of 32 KM from Alleppey. It is believed that the deity has the combined power of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Sarpa Yakshi and Naga Yakshi are the adored companions of Nagaraja at Mannarasala temple. The Mannarasala temple worship is associated with many beliefs and unique traditions which are strictly followed by the Brahmin family dedicated for performing the duties. The eldest female of the family is the authorised priestess to perform the rituals and she is renowned as ‘Valiya Amma’. As per the history of the temple, the first priestess of the Brahmin family gave birth to a five headed serpent and it is believed that the family is protected by the serpent child which is residing in the ancestral home. The most important ritual is on the ‘Ayilyam day’ (birth star of Nagaraja) and the temple gets crowded with devotees. Entire day on Ayilyam ‘Valiya Amma’ will perform many rituals and at night she goes into the underground room in the temple to offer milk to the god Nagaraja. It is believed that the serpent god gives darshan to her in particular and blesses whoever is seeking his blessings on that day. It is considered auspicious to get the darshan of ‘Valiya Amma’ while visiting the Nagaraja temple. The temple strictly follows all the rituals. It is prohibited to cut the trees or put fires in the close proximity; it will be suffocating for the inhabitants of the preserved forest area in the temple. As per the credence barren women are advised to seek the blessing of Nagaraja for a child and ‘Uruli Kamazhthal’ is an offering related to this. The couple has to come and fulfil the offering up on child birth. Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple is spread across 16 acres of thick green forest. Snakes are seen roaming around the courtyards by the devotees. The turmeric paste distributed as prasadam from the temple is believed to be very auspicious and used by admirers to cure leprosy. Mannarasala Nagaraja temple is one of the ancient and internationality famed serpent temples.

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