In olden time every Hindu family in Kerala has a serpent-grove.
Mannarsala, situated to the north-west of Sri.Subramanyaswamy temple,
Haripad, is the seat of the famous temple of Nagaraja (God of Serpents),
the largest of its kind in Kerala . Built in a grove the temple is
reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-Gods.
On the day of Ayilliam
asterism in the months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October),
all the serpent idols in the grove and the temple are taken in procession
to the illam (family connected with the temple) where the offerings
of Nurum Palum (rice flour and milk), Kuruthi (a red liquid made of
turmeric and lime) and cooked rice are made. The oldest female member
of the family carries the idol of the Nagaraja and the procession
is conducted with great pomp and rejoicing.
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