Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple is world famous and very ancient pilgrimage centre of Kerala. The temple here is dedicated to Lord Nagaraja (serpent god) and devoted to serpent worship. The temple is located at a distance of 125 Km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state.
Mannarasala Nagaraja TempleThe famous Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple is situated in a thick green forest grove and covers an area of about 16 acres. The two main idols of this temple are Nagaraja and his companion, Sarpayakshini. The Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple has over 30,000 images of snakes along the paths as well as among the trees, and it is regarded as the leading such temple in Kerala state. The rites are presided over by a priestess of the temple. The most common offering of the temple is 'Uruli Kamazhthal', the placing of the bell metal vessel the wrong way up in front of deity, and that is thought to restore fertility to childless partners.
As per the legend, it is believed that the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to a five-headed snake, which is believed to reside in the ancestral house to safeguard the family.
Festival at Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple
Mannarasala became the pilgrim attraction. On the day of Ayilliam asterism during the Malayalam months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October), every one of the serpent images located in the grove as well as the temple are usually taken in procession to the illam (people associated with the temple) where the offerings of Nurum Palum (rice flour with milk), kuruthi (a red liquid made from turmeric as well as lime) along with cooked rice are usually prepared. The oldest female member of family carries the statue of Lord Nagaraja and then the procession is done with great splendor as well as joy. Even though married, the eldest female member of illam, is expected to lead a life of abstinence at the time she will become the oldest female of the family. During the festival time a large number of people gather at Mannarasala to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the serpent gods. They also offer coins as well as effigies made from gold, silver and copper, grains of all types, pepper, tender coconuts, plantains, melons, sandalwood and so on.
Temple Timings
Mornings: Open until 12.00 PM (Sundays until 1.00 PM).
Evenings: 5.30 PM to 7.30 PM
Temple Address:
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Mannarasala P.O, Haripad,
Alappuzha District,
Kerala, INDIA.
Pincode: 690 514
Telephone: +91 479 2413214
Distance from Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple
Kuttanad: 25 Km
Alappuzha: 32 Km
Kottayam: 53 Km
Kollam: 60 Km
Kumarakom: 69 Km
Kochi: 86 Km
Ernakulam: 93 Km
Thiruvananthapuram: 125 Km
Kovalam: 130 Km
Idukki: 148 Km
Thrissur: 160 Km
Munnar: 203 Km
Kozhikode: 283 Km
Kasargod: 464 Km
How to get there:
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (IATA: COK, ICAO: VOCI).
Nearest Railway Station: Hariapad (3Km), Mavelikkara (10 km), Kayamkulam (11 km).
Road: Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple well connected by the road network.
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