India's most famous snake temple-Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja temple
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| Add cMannarshala covers an area of 16 acres of dense green forest grove devoted to serpent worship. The temple here is unique in that the holy rites are presided over by a priestess. It is the largest Snake Temple in Kerala. The grove is dotted with the granite idols of serpents. There are two main idols: 'Nagaraja' or the serpent king and his consort, Sarpayakshini. The priestess lives in the 'Illam' on the north side of the temple. 'Uruli Kamazhthal' or the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in front of the deity is the most popular offering believed to restore fertility to childless couples. |
 The
beliefs and rituals associated with the Mannarasala temple are
different from most other temples, and this is one rare temples where
the puja pattern is headed by a Brahmin lady. Legends say that when
the Muthassan left for the Cellar,
he had given certain rights and instructions to his mother. He
instructed that 'Mother herself must offer me worship. On certain
special days men may be given a chance to worship. After Mother's
time, the senior-most Brahmin lady in the family will have the status
of the Mother. From the time the mother assumes this high position
Mother should live as a brahmacharini and observe penance. Those who
worship me with devotion will have children, will be cured of
diseases, will have long life and health and wealth; the men of the
family will have the title of 'Vasukisridevi''. He reminded that the
rituals and customs suggested by Parasurama are inviolable. | ||||
Valia Amma | ||||
| Valia Amma is the heart and soul
of Mannarasala. The resplendent brightness of Valia Amma 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 Mannarasala
without seeing that fascinating divine glow with their own eyes and
feeling contended. The sight of faithful devotees, who come 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. That holy lamp sheds brilliant
light on the temple and the environment, and endows it with heavenly
glory. It has been the presence of and the contact with, the Mother,
who has assumed a divine form and reached the heights of spirituality,
that has been the sole source of prosperity for the members of the
family as for the devotees. Uruli Kamazhthu in Nilavara (offering of traditional bronze vessel)
is one of the most popular devotee offering in Mannarasala. Known for
begetting children to couples, thousands of people come here to carry
out this sacred and rare offering to Nagaraja. According to temple sources, there are certain strict rituals to be followed for this offering. It is advisable only for married couples who have not been able to have children for years, since their marriage.Mannarasala is a place where prayers have been granted, where Serpent-worship has been sanctified for ages. We don't have to worry about what can be dedicated to propitiate the Lord Nagaraja and the serpent gods. You may offer anything according to your capacity, such as things which will make the serpents happy (articles that can be used in Abhisheka and Alankara; incense, flowers, lamp etc., which can be used for 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 (bhajanam) and go back with their wishes fulfilled. There are some special ritual practices and regulations for this bhajana. In recent times, the fame of this temple has been spread far and wide for the prayers answered for having child to couples. The 'Uruli Kamazhthal' offering with devotion and prayers, has helped numerous devotees to have children, who come to this temple.
Mannarassala
Sree Nagaraja Temple is a very ancient and internationally-known
centre of pilgrimage for the devotees of serpent gods.
one of the renowned
Subrahmanya temples of Kerala and a testimonial to the glory of the
great Kerala temple architecture, is located on the way to the
Mannarassala temple. The temple is located about three kilometers to the south-east of the bus station in N.H.47 at Haripad, in Alleppey district of Kerala. Haripad, a culturally renowned ancient town with prominent role in the history of Central Travancore, is rich with its exquisite green paddy fields, towering coconut palms and serene atmosphere of the adjacent hamlets. Now Haripad is a well-developed town with enough civic infrastructure like shopping complexes, hotels & lodges, educational institutions and hospitals. The ancient Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in Haripad, which is |
