Mannarasala Ayilyam Festival is celebrated on the Ayilyam asterism in the Malayalam month of Thulam which falls mainly between October and November. During Mannarasala Ayilyam, the priestess receives darshan from Sree Nagaraja. All the serpent idols from the grove and the Mannarasala Temple are taken in procession to the Thekke Thalam in the Illam (the family connected with the temple), with the priestess carrying the idol of Nagaraja. Special prayers are offered to Nagaraja, who is then adorned with Thiruvabharanam or other invaluable gold jewellery. Other offerings include Nurum Palum (a mixture of rice flour and milk), kuruthi (a red liquid made of turmeric and lime), and cooked rice, which are prepared at the Illam.
Legend has it that a large fire once erupted in a forest near the village of Mannarasala, causing injuries to numerous snakes. A childless couple named Vasudeva and Sreedevi cared for the injured snakes, applying turmeric, coconut water, and honey to soothe their wounds. Pleased with their devotion, Sree Nagaraja blessed them with twins, one of whom was Sree Nagaraja himself, a five-hooded snake. After a few years, he took Samadhi but is believed to still reside in the cellar of Mannarasala Illam. The festival is believed to bring blessings for fertility, prosperity, and protection from snake-related afflictions.
Specialty of Festival:
The specialty of Mannarasala Ayilyam lies in its celebration of serpent worship at the Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple in Haripad.
Month of Festival:
Mannarasala Ayilyam is celebrated on the Ayilyam asterism in the Malayalam month of Thulam which falls between October and November.
