Mannarashala - Shree Nagaraja Temple

Mannarshala Shree Nagaraja Temple is a very ancient pilgrimage for the devotees of serpent gods. this temple is located about three kilo-meters to the south east of the bus stand at Harippad in Alleppey district(Kerala). This is the holy location sanctified by the residence of the great Brahmin appointed by Parashurama for the pooja in Mannarshala Temple.

As you enter the temple, we see rows of stone images of serpents on either side to lead the devotees to the presence of their supreme god. We are led into the temple courtyard and at that time a gentle breeze blows and the birds sing pleasantly to provide us a divine experience.  As you walk along the sandy courtyard under the shade of ancient trees entangled by many kinds of creepers and thick growth of cane where the serpents in large numbers enjoy to sit without disturbance, the devotees in a dream of unspeakable beauty, in a state of ecstasy,  would already have achieved half of their objective in coming there. The great jungle is never a source of fear; it certainly increases our devotion.

First the Sarpayakshi, and next to that the  Nagaraja stand facing east, creating a halo for the main deities, drawing power every movement from the continuous offering  of worship and ready to bless us with smiling faces. In-front of the shrine of Sarpayakshi, we can see an Ilanji tree surrounded by Serpent images. This very ancient tree is full of holes for serpents to lie down undisturbed.

The quiet shrines of Nagachamundi and Nagayakshi are to the south-west of the temple. Sarpayakshi and Nagayakshi are the beloved consorts of Nagaraja. Nagachamundi is his sister. Ngaraja is Ananta (Vishnu) and Sarparja is Vasuki (Shiva).

Offerings:

For wealth and prosperity	A pot filled with gold or a gold pot filled with other things.
For education, prosperity and fame	Silk, grains, divine ornaments.
For recovering health	Salt.
For protection from poison	Turmeric
For curing diseases	Pepper, mustard, green peas etc.
For protection from damage	Serpent cave made of gold etc., images of serpents eggs, tree etc.
For long life	Melted butter (ghee)
For getting whatever one wants	Milk, ripe kadali fruit, nilavara-payasam.
For having a child	A big vessel (uruli) made of brass, bronze etc. for performing Nurum Palum.

Abhishekam with coconut water, milk and rose water.

Alankaram with sandal wood garlands, arecanut flower bunches.

Nivedyam with ghee, appam, payasam, balls of molasses, kadali fruit etc.

Sarpabali with Nurum Palum made out of turmeric powder and rice powder.

Valiamma:

The resplendent brightness of Valiamma who has turned into a symbol of Naga deities through fasting and other austerities has not dimmed in the least by now as a result of the performance of rituals and poojas. Pilgrims cannot leave this place without seeing that fascinating divine glow with their own eyes and feeling contented. The sight of faith full devotees, who came here to seek the blessings of Nagaraja, waiting for long to see the flicker of the eyes of the great mother, so serene and compassionate and filled with blessings, continues even today.

Temple Worship:

Those who suffer from incurable diseases, those possessed by fear as a result of the anger  of Serpents and thereby find life unendurable - all of them come here to stay and pray and go back with their wishes fulfilled.