Mannarasala Sri Nagaraja Temple
Kerala's greatest serpent shrine — the Rāhu leg of this trail.
⭐ Why it is famous
Mannarasala is not a dedicated Rāhu temple but the foremost Nāgaraja (serpent deity) shrine in Kerala, set in a dense sacred grove with thousands of snake-idols. Because Rāhu is associated with serpents in Vedic astrology, devotees with Rāhu dosha and sarpa dosha come here specifically for Sarpa Bali and Ayilyam pujas.
📜 Pilgrimage history
Legend ties the temple to the Mannarasala Illam family, who are said to have sheltered Nāgaraja and his consort after they escaped a forest fire; the family has served as hereditary priests, including a senior woman priestess, ever since. It remains one of the largest snake-worship centres in India.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Morning: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Evening: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
🙏 Darśan details
- Sarpa Bali and Uruli Kamazhthu rituals for fertility and sarpa/Rāhu dosha need advance booking.
- Traditional dress compulsory: mundu for men, sari or long skirt for women; men often go bare-chested inside.
- Ayilyam nakshatra days each month are the busiest.
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Mannarasala Sri Nagaraja Temple, Mannarasala, Haripad, AlappuzhaHaripad railway station (HAD) — 5 km
Mannarasala, Haripad bus stand — state transport buses stop here.
Cochin International Airport (COK) — 90 km
5 km from Haripad town off the Alappuzha–Kollam NIH66 highway, autos and local buses available from Haripad.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Guesthouses in Haripad
- Resorts around Alappuzha backwaters, 30 km
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹900 | ₹2,000 | ₹4,500 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Mannarasala sacred grove (kavu)
- Kayamkulam backwaters
🧵 Part of these circuits
📅 Best time to visit
Ayilyam days, and the Nira/Ayilyam festival season (Oct–Dec)