About Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
The Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple lies in a shady forest grove at Haripad in Alappuzha district, Kerala. It is dedicated to Nagaraja, the king of serpents, and is one of the best-known centres of serpent worship in India. The paths and trees of the grove are lined with more than 100,000 stone serpent images, said to be the largest such collection in Kerala. Unusually, the worship is led by the family of the Mannarasala Illom, and the senior woman of the family, known to devotees as Mannarasala Amma, holds a central place in the temple's rituals. Couples hoping for children come here in large numbers.
According to legend, when Parashurama raised the land of Kerala from the sea, its soil was too salty to grow anything. On Shiva's advice he prayed to Nagaraja, who made the land fertile and agreed to stay and protect it. A later story tells of a childless Brahmin couple, Vasudeva and Sreedevi, who cared for serpents hurt in a forest fire. Nagaraja blessed them, and the wife gave birth to a human son and a five-hooded serpent. The serpent child is believed to remain in samadhi in a cellar of the family home, revered as Muthassan. The temple was recorded by visitors and in Travancore records in the late 19th century.
Mannarasala is less about grand buildings than its setting: a quiet sacred grove, or kavu, of tall trees and shaded walkways where serpent images crowd the ground. The shrines follow the simple Kerala style. Devotees who have been blessed with a child often return to give thanks, bringing new serpent images as offerings. A special turmeric paste from the temple is believed to have healing powers. At the Mannarasala Ayilyam festival, serpent images are carried in procession from the grove and temple to the family illom, with the matriarch carrying the Nagaraja image, and offerings of noorum palum (rice flour and milk) are made.
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from about 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM (to 12 noon on Sundays) and 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Morning puja | Early morning (approx.) |
| Deeparadhana | At sunset |
| Ayilyam puja / Noorum Palum puja | On Ayilyam days (check locally) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
By air
Cochin International Airport is about 115 km away; Thiruvananthapuram airport is about 120 km away.
By train
Haripad railway station is about 3 km away.
By road
Haripad is on NH 66 between Alappuzha and Kollam; autos from Haripad town reach the temple in a few minutes.
Festivals at Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
- Mannarasala Ayilyam (Thulam)Oct/Nov
- Ayilyam in KanniSep/Oct
- Maha ShivaratriFeb/Mar
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Following Kerala temple custom, men usually wear a mundu or dhoti and may be asked to remove shirts; women wear saree or other traditional dress.
- Entry
- Free. Poojas and offerings can be booked at the counter or on the temple's online portal.
- Note the short opening hours; the temple closes by late morning and opens again only in the evening.
- Walk slowly through the grove; the serpent images among the trees are the heart of the visit.
- Book poojas and offerings online in advance during Ayilyam.
- Combine the visit with the Haripad Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in town.
Places to visit near Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
- Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy TempleMajor Murugan temple in Haripad town, about 3 km away
- Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna TempleFamous for its palpayasam, about 20 km away
- Chettikulangara Devi TemplePopular Bhagavathy temple near Mavelikkara, about 15 km away
- Alappuzha backwatersHouseboat hub, about 32 km away
Frequently asked questions
Why is Mannarasala temple famous?
It is Kerala's best-known serpent temple, set in a forest grove with over 100,000 snake images, and couples pray here for children.
What are the Mannarasala temple timings?
Usually about 5 AM to 11 AM (noon on Sundays) and 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Times may vary; check locally.
When is Mannarasala Ayilyam?
It falls on the Ayilyam star in the Malayalam month of Thulam, around October or November.
How far is Mannarasala from Haripad railway station?
The temple is about 3 km from Haripad station.
Who is Mannarasala Amma?
The senior woman of the Mannarasala Illom family, who has a central role in the temple's worship and carries the Nagaraja image at Ayilyam.
What is the aarti time at Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple?
Morning puja: Early morning (approx.); Deeparadhana: At sunset; Ayilyam puja / Noorum Palum puja: On Ayilyam days (check locally). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple?
Following Kerala temple custom, men usually wear a mundu or dhoti and may be asked to remove shirts; women wear saree or other traditional dress.
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