Mannarasala Temple, Alleppey

Visitor Information

• Famous for: Sightseeing, Religious place, Spirituality and devotion
• Entrance Fee: Free of charge
• Visiting Time: 5 AM to 12 PM (Till 1 PM on Sundays) and 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
• Visit Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple in Alappuzha or Alleppey is an age-old temple dedicated to the serpent gods or the Nagaraja. The temple is situated in the forest amidst trees in a cool and quiet place, which is typical of the snake temples in the country. Filled with images of thousands of serpents, this temple is known for being the largest of its kind in the southern state of Kerala. The temple is revered by the devotees, who believe that by offering certain things to the Nagaraja, all their wishes would be fulfilled.

Traveler Tips

• Mannarsala Temple is situated in the forest glade, so plan your visit with some extra time to have a refreshing and peaceful experience here.
• Mornings and evenings are very crowded at the temple, try to visit in the afternoon.
• Snakes and serpents are often seen in and around the temple premises but usually, there is no need to be scared of them here as they are said not to harm people.
• Take special care not to damage the serpent eggs in the compound.
• Traditional attire is mandatory for people coming to worship in the temple. Men should don a “Mundu” and women should wear a sari.

Things to Do

• Take in the peace and spirituality at the temple.
• Let your eyes and cameras capture the beautiful way leading to the temple through a dense forest.
• Small stalls selling snacks and refreshments are available near the temple so you can indulge in some local cuisine before you leave.

Availability of Guides

Often a trip to the religious places in south India will include this place and will provide you with a guide. If you are visiting here by yourself, a guide is not necessarily needed but can be found in the Alleppey town.

Best Time to Visit

The months of November to February are the best time to visit Alleppey as the weather ranges around a pleasant 20 to 25 degrees Celsius in the winters.

How to Reach

Mannarsala Sree Nagaraja Temple is situated around 30 kilometers from Alleppey, and around 3 kilometers from the Haripad bus stop. You can easily hire a cab or an auto rickshaw to take you to the temple from Haripad.

Interesting Facts and Trivia About Mannarsala Temple

• The Mannarsala Temple is one of the few temples in the country where the puja and management are done by a woman. The priestess, known as Mannarsala Amma, is the oldest female member of the family of the Brahmins who serve at the temple.
• Anantha, representing Vishnuswaroopa, and Vasuki, representing Shiva in spirit, are the two major deities at the temple.
• Ayilyam day is celebrated with great joy and splendor at the temple thrice a year to mark the anniversary celebrations of the different deities here.
• Mahashivratri is also celebrated with great pomp in the honor of Lord Shiva.

Nearby Attractions

• Haripad Town
• Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple
• Mary’s Forane Church
• Chettikulangara Temple
• Chakkulathukavu Temple
• Adichikkavu Sree Durga Devi Kshetram Temple
• Thiruvanvandoor Pambanaiappan Temple
• Vijay Beach Park

Nearby Restaurants         

• Dhevu Hotel
• Utsav Restaurant
• Indian Coffee House
• Murali Hotel
• Hotel Aryaas
• Adithya Restaurant and Catering

Mannarsala Sree Nagaraja Temple is one of the oldest Hindu shrines in the area. It attracts visitors from all over the country who seek the divine blessings of the serpent gods. Whether you seek spirituality or a new and unexpected adventure, Mannarsala is a place you must visit.