Overview.

Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, located in the enchanting village of Mannarasala in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India, holds a significant place in the hearts of devotees as the supreme place of worship for serpent gods. The evolution of Mannarasala as a revered pilgrimage site is intricately intertwined with the legendary tale of Parasurama, the son of Jamadagini and a descendant of Bhrigu.

According to the mythological accounts, when Parasurama sought atonement for the sin of annihilating the Kshatriyas, he turned to the holy Rishis for guidance. They advised him to donate a land of his own to Brahmins as a means of expiation. Parasurama approached Varuna Deva, the Lord of the Seas, and implored him for land. Varuna appeared before him and instructed Parasurama to throw his axe, called a parasu, which had been bestowed upon him by Lord Shiva, into the sea. By following this instruction, Parasurama raised a piece of land from the sea, which came to be known as Kerala, and he gifted it to the Brahmins.

Initially, Kerala was inhospitable due to its high salinity, rendering it barren and unfit for habitation. People began to abandon the land. Deeply pained by this, Parasurama decided to undertake penance to please Lord Shiva. The deity advised him that the only way to make Kerala lush and green was by spreading the venom of the serpents throughout the land, and the worship of Nagaraja, the serpent god, was the means to achieve this. Determined to see Kerala flourish as a land of beauty and prosperity, Parasurama embarked on a quest to find a suitable deserted jungle where he could appease Nagaraja, who was elusive and beyond human comprehension.

After an arduous search, Parasurama discovered a suitable location near the seashore in southern Kerala. Content with finding the ideal place to fulfill his cherished dream, the great sage constructed a Thirthasthala, a sacred site for performing penance. Pleased with Parasurama's dedicated penance, Nagaraja appeared before him, ready to grant his desire. Prostrating at the lotus feet of Nagaraja, Parasurama fervently prayed for his objective to be fulfilled. Nagaraja, pleased with his devotion, granted his request.

Ferocious serpents swiftly arrived at the spot, spreading the flaming poison known as Kalakuda. Through the percolation of this poison, the land of Kerala was desalinated, becoming habitable and abundant with lush greenery. Parasurama then beseeched Nagaraja to bless the land perpetually with his divine presence, and the benevolent Nagaraja graciously accepted his request. At an auspicious moment, Parasurama, following Vedic rituals, installed Nagaraja, who represents Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, in the Thirthasthala. The installed deity symbolizes both Anantha, the manifestation of Lord Vishnu, and Vasuki, the embodiment of Lord Shiva.

Furthermore, Parasurama meticulously performed the installation of Sarpayakshi, Nagayakshi, Nagachamundi, and their associated deities in their designated places, adhering to the prescribed rituals. The sage offered prayers, recited Vedic hymns, and conducted various ceremonies pleasing to the serpent gods, thereby bringing joy to all the serpents. Parasurama invited learned individuals from other regions, installed deities such as Durga in different locations, appointed Tantric expert Brahmins to perform rituals, and selected Kshatriyas, peasants, and Ashtavaidyas (eight traditional physicians) to fulfill their respective roles.

After imparting important instructions to preserve the sanctity of the place, Parasurama departed to engage in deep meditation in the Mahendra mountains. Many generations later, after Parasurama's departure, the Brahmin family entrusted with the caretaking of the temple faced the sorrow of childlessness. Vasudeva and Sreedevi, a couple burdened by this grief, sought solace in the worship of Nagaraja. During this time, a devastating fire engulfed the jungle surrounding Nagaraja's dwelling, leaving the serpents tormented and seeking refuge in their pits.

Vasudeva and Sreedevi, driven by compassion, took care of the serpents, nursing their charred hoods and half-burnt bodies. They provided comfort by fanning them with fragrant grass and treating their wounds with a soothing mixture of ghee, honey, and oil. The couple placed the serpents at the foot of banyan trees, performed purification rituals, consecrated the pits, and arranged special dwellings for the serpents under the shade of deodar trees and in Chitrakudas. With unwavering devotion, they conducted elaborate ceremonies, including abhisheka (ritual bathing) with Panchagavya (a mixture of five sacred cow products), offering a variety of delicacies as neivedyam, and chanting Vedic mantras.

Their relentless penance and love for the serpent deities moved Nagaraja, who appeared before the couple and blessed them with the incarnation of his beloved son. Nagaraja stated that he would assume the form of a serpent and reside permanently at Mannarasala, bringing prosperity to their family and protection to all devotees who visit the temple. Thus, the place, once adorned with Mandara trees and serving as a shelter for serpents, came to be known as Mannarasala (mann: Earth, ariya: cool, sala: place).

In due course, Vasudeva and Sreedevi were blessed with two children—an incarnation of Nagaraja himself in the form of a five-hooded serpent-child, and a human child. The brothers grew up together, underwent initiation ceremonies, and received Vedic education in accordance with tradition. Nagaraja instructed the younger brother to marry, ensuring the perpetual continuation of the holy family, and the obedient brother followed the command. Once the objectives of his incarnation were fulfilled, Nagaraja informed his Mother, the matriarch of the Illom (family home), that he would enter Samadhi (a state of deep meditation) and reside in the immaculate cellar known as Nilavara to bless the devotees.

Nagaraja provided his Mother with specific rights and instructions, stating that she herself should offer worship to him. On certain special days, men may be granted the opportunity to worship, but otherwise, the senior-most Brahmin lady in the family assumes the esteemed position of the Mother. From that moment onward, the Mother becomes the spiritual head, leading a life of a Brahmacharini (celibate female ascetic) and observing penance. As the divine Mother of the Lord himself, Mannarasala Amma, also known as Valiya Amma, became the mother of the land. Her resplendent presence symbolizes the Naga deities, radiating a divine glow that endows the temple and its surroundings with heavenly glory.

Pilgrims visiting Mannarasala eagerly await the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Valiya Amma and seek her blessings and guidance for a prosperous life. She, who transformed into a representation of the Naga deities through her fasting, austerities, rituals, and poojas, remains the heart and soul of Mannarasala. Her luminous aura illuminates the temple, creating an atmosphere of divine magnificence.

In summary, the evolution of Mannarasala as the supreme place of worship for serpent deities is intimately connected to the legendary story of Parasurama seeking atonement, propitiating Varuna Deva, and performing penance to please Nagaraja. The dedication and devotion of Vasudeva and Sreedevi, along with their compassionate care for the serpents during a calamitous fire, led to the incarnation of Nagaraja as their son. With the blessings of Nagaraja, Mannarasala became a holy abode, forever blessed by the presence of the serpent deities. The temple's unique rituals and the prominent role of the Mother, Valiya Amma, make Mannarasala a sacred place of worship that attracts countless faithful devotees seeking spiritual solace and prosperity.

5:30AM–11:00AM, 6:00PM–7:30PM