Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

Harippad is a small town, which is about 15-20 km from Alleppy in Kerala.  A great temple dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya is situated here. It is believed that when Lord Subrahmanya victoriously vanquished Tharakasura and Soora Padma and was returning back he was received in this place with Music by Lord Vishnu. So this place was called Hari Geetha Puram and possibly( in the river near Pathiramanal Island and ) was called Hari pattu (song of Lord Vishnu) in Malayalam or it may have got its name from the “Vishnu Pada “ in the eastern gate of the temple (Hari Padu-Vishnu’s marks). Some people are of the opinion that it has nothing to do with God but Harippad may have taken its name from” too much of rice”.

It is believed that this temple is 3500 years old and was consecrated by Lord Parasurama Himself. There are several inscriptions in this temple in Tamil. The temple got fire and was reconsecrated about one hundred years back. There is a story that after building the temple the Namboodiris were in search of a proper idol to consecrate here. One of them was ordered in the dream to go to Kayamkulam and visit a pond (there he was told that a garland would be floating at one spot and if he makes a search there, he would get the suitable idol. The Namboodiris went there and got an Idol of the present God with four arms, one arm holding a Vel, another Vajrayudha, one showing the sign of blessing and one hand touching its thigh, This idol was brought and consecrated on the Pushya(poosam) star of Makara Masa(Thai maasam- January-february). This day is celebrated as the founding day of the temple every year. 

Apart from Subrahmanya, the temple also has the idols of Maha Ganapathi and Dakshinamurthy. People believe that that the Subrahmanya idol has the Sannidhya (presence) of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Several peacocks wander in this temple The major offerings in this temple in called Thula Payasam in which rice, green gram dhal, jaggery coconuts, ghee, banana fruits(kadali), black grapes, sugar candy, cardamom etc are added. Apart from this Kadum Payasam (strong Payasam), neyyappam, Paal payasam, Vellai Neivedhyam , Payasam made of coconut milk Panchamrutham, Ilai adai etc are also offered to the God. People offer a garland made of lime fruits to Lord Subrahmanya.

There is a story that a rich Brahmin who was a great devotee of Lord Subrahmanya  was not blessed with any children. He transferred all his properties to the temple and went outside the temple by the western gate and committed suicide. From that day, the western gate is kept locked. To atone this, a temple has been built in Karu Nattu Illam and every year the God’s procession passes by its front. But as soon as the procession comes near the house, all music is stopped and only the sound of conch accompanies the procession. Out side the main temple, there is a original temple. Here the God is Velayudha with two hands. This temple is called The Temple which is below (keezh thiru koil).

Getting there:

The temple is located just a kilometer away from Harippad town in Alappuzha district.

Nearest railway station: Harippad, about 5 km away.

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km away from Alappuzha.

Om Sree Subhramanya Namah!

Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple

Mannarasala is a famous temple of snakes in Kerala. This is situated near Aleppy town of Kerala and is near Harippad. This temple is supposed to be 6000 years old and is believed to be built by Sage Parasurama. This place was supposed to be the Gandeeva forest of Mahabharatha, which was burnt by Arjuna. The people living in this village had saved several snakes of the forest by constantly pouring water and drenching the earth. Since this the “mud became cold”, it was initially called “Man aariya Salai” and later this became Mannarasalai.

Lord Parasurama who built a temple in this place brought several Brahmins and made them to live in this place. But due to very large number of snakes and the water being saline, those Brahmins went away. Lord Parasurama did Thapas to Lord Shiva. Who told him, that if Parasurama requests Vasuki, the king of snakes, everything would be set right. Parasurama did accordingly. Vasuki was pleased and told him, “Lord, these snakes will remain here only but would not hurt anybody in this village. All the people in this village have to build a snake temple in their house and daily lit a lamp in front of it at dusk. I would myself take out the salt from this village and mix it in the sea, “Parasurama gladly agreed and again brought the Brahmins. They were all Namboodiri Brahmins. They built their houses here and lived happily. Parasurama built a temple of Naga Raja and Naga Yakshi in that place. He made one family called Irinada palli to have their home in the temple compound. The first residents of this house were Vasudevan Namboodiri and his wife Sridevi andarjanam. Their family continued to look after the temple, after some time, the only living couple of the family did not have children. They prayed at the temple and as a result got two sons. One of them was a snake. This snake was born in Aslesha(Ayilyam) star of the Kumbha month (February-March). As soon the snake son was born, it told , “mother, we the snakes are very happy with your family. We want the eldest female member of this family to conduct the ceremonial worship in our temple. Since you are the eldest, now I will teach you all the rituals that have to be followed in our worship. “ He taught his mother the rituals and since that that time, the worship in that temple is offered by the eldest lady of the family (She is called Mannarsala Amma(mother)). That son then entered the dark store room of that house. He had also warned that no body should enter the room. But it is opened once a day for worship by the Amma of the temple. She normally keeps a cup of milk and then closes the door. Next day, the cup is found empty. This snake in the store is called “Grand father” by all people and all of them revere that snake. The other son born with the snake established two temples in Mannarsala, one dedicated to Naga Raja and another to Naga Yakshi. One of the snakes there was given as a dowry for a girl who got married a Brahmin family in Kayankulam. That snake entered the store room of that house and a similar temple like Mannarsalai was built there. This temple is called Mey Palli. And is near Kayankulam. The most important offering in the temple is “noorum palaum”. This is the mixture of rice powder, turmeric powder and milk. These would be kept outside the temple at night. In the morning the contents of the vessel are poured in the mud. The Noorum palum is also given to the grand father in the store house. But the contents of the vessel disappear next day, when the store is opened. It is well known that snakes of the temple do not bite anybody. Even if it bites nothing happens to the person. It is also well known that nothing is stolen from the temple. It is believed that the snakes of the temple guard the property of the temple. On the aslesha (Ayilyam) star of the Thula month(October-November) is celebrated as a great festival in this temple. People wanting children as well as those affected by Naga Dosha come to this temple and it is believed that all their problems are solved.

How to reach

Nearest bus station: 1.5 kms from Haripad KSRTC bus stand.

Nearest railway station: Haripad (3 kms), Mavelikkara (10 kms), Kayamkulam (11 kms).

Airport: 115 km from Cochin International Airport,125 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

"Naga Daivangale, Sarpa Yakshi, Amme Ellapereyum Kathukollaname" 

Loka Samastha Suhino Bhavanthu!