Mannarasala Ayilyam is the main festival conducted in
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, located at
Mannarasala in
Alappuzha District. It is around 32 km away from
Alappuzha.
The festival is celebrated on the Ayilyam asterism, which comes in the Malayalam month of Kanni (September/October). On this day, the idols of serpents from the temple are taken to the Illam (Brahmin’s house connected with the temple) in a grand procession. The significance of the procession is that the main idol of the Nagaraja is carried by the oldest female member of the Illam. The main offerings are
Nurum Palum (rice flour and milk) and Kuruthi (a red liquid made of turmeric and lime). Other offerings include coins and effigies made of gold, silver and copper, grains of all kinds, pepper, tender coconuts, plantains, melons and sandalwood. The highlights of the festival include
Ezhunnallathu and Uruli kamazhthal (the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in front of the deity).
Another interesting ceremony is the
song and dance of the
Pulluvans on Ayilyam day. During the festival days thousands of people assemble at the temple to worship and propitiate the serpent gods.
