MYTH: Origin of temple

Sree Parasurama decided to seek release from the sin of killing the Kshatriyas (warrior caste). The holy Rishis suggested he should make a gift of land to the Brahmins. Parasurama, propitiated Varuna Deva (the lord of the sea) to get the land. He threw into the sea an axe which Shiva had given him. The sea receded and land rose. This land came to be known as Kerala. To read the full Parasurama myth click here.

The land was not habitable at the time because of salinity. Bhargavarama was pained at this and undertook penance to Shiva to solve this problem. Lord Shiva declared that the objective could be achieved only if the flaming poison of the serpents was spread everywhere. The only means of doing this was to approach and praise Nagaraja, The King of the Serpents. Parasurama, a yogi of firm will and no desire, decided he would not rest until Kerala became a prosperous and bountiful land.

Parasurama set out with his followers in search of a deserted jungle in order to please Nagaraj who was inaccessible and beyond anybodyÕs understanding. He found a place nearby the seashore in the southern part of Kerala. Parasurama constructed an area for the performance of penance. Bhargavarama, a partial incarnation of Vishnu, also undertook severe penance. Nagaraj who was pleased appeared to Parasurama willing to grant him his desires.

"The unspeakable splendor of millions of moon! The bright magnificence of emeralds stuck to the hoods! Golden jewels made attractive by miraculous embroidery! Lotus feet worshipped by crowds of gods! Brilliant beauty of form, full of youthfulness!Ó"

Parasurama fell at his feet at this sight and praised him with great devotion. Nagaraj granted him his request to save the land. Immediately ferocious serpents arrived from all sides at once to spread the flaming kalakuda poison. Because of the percolation from the poison the land of Kerala became desalinated; it became heaven like. ParasuramaÕs next request was nothing but wanting Kerala to be a sacred land through the continued presence of Nagaraj. At an auspicious moment Bhargavarama, the supreme devotee, installed, according to Vedic rites Nagaraj in the thirthasala (hall of pilgrimage) filled with mandara trees. He brought learned people from all areas to fill Kerala. He selected as the head preist, for the worship of Nagaraja, a brahmin who was his best disciple.

Parasurama feeling satisfied with his work blessed the Brahmin, giving full authority to offer worship of Nagaraja to the people borne in this family. The place, he stated, would be known as Mandarsala of the mandara trees.

Myth 2:

The first Aryan colonists setteled by Parasurama found Kerala inhabitable, so they left. The Nagas of the lower world came instead and occupied the land. When the Aryans came again they found the land occupied and waged war against the Nagas, claiming they were the inhabitants. They decided to let the matter be resolved by Parasurama. Parasurama decided in favor of the earlier colonists, however, he ordered that every member of the Aryan group should set apart a corner of their compound as an abode for the serpent gods.

It was estimated that only a century ago there were 15,000 serpent groves in the former Travancore and Cochin states alone. According to one legend the grove is the property of a family whose ancestors are said to have been spared when the Khnadava forest of Punjab was burnt by Krishna and Arjuna in the Mahabharat. Every male member of the family was called Vasuka, the name of the king of Patala, the great king of the Nagas. When Arjuna set fire to the forest the serpents fled in confusion to Mannarsala and prayed to god for protection. The earth miraculously cooled down. After the serpents found refuge the ancestress of the family had a vision and dedicated the groves and the land to Nagaraja. A temple was built there and Nagaraj became the family deity.

Myth 3:

Many generations had passed and the family fell into grief because of childlessness. Vasudeva and Sreedevi were extremely sad. A fire broke about this time in the jungle around the dwelling place of Nagaraj. The fire spread throughout, burning everything in its path. The serpents tried to hide and be safe but many fell victim to the consuming flames. Others fled and approached Nagaraj for refuge. The couple became extremely frantic seeing the serpents being tortured and injured in the fire. They tried desperately to do all they could for the dying serpents. They fanned them with fans made of sweet scented grass. They poured over them melted butter mixed with honey and oil and cooled their heated body with sandalwood ointment. They performed rites and ceremonies, and healed their wounds through mantras and divine medicines.

The couple, thus contented with their work again began their concentrated meditations for the blessings of the serpents, their only refuge. They surrendered their minds to Nagaraj, who was both Ananta and Vasuki, and spent their days identifying themselves with everything and having mystical experiences. The omnipresent and omnipotent Nagaraja who had totally possessed the hearts of this couple for so long was greatly pleased with their penance. Nagaraj then made himself visible to them along with his consorts and associates.

That divine form, with countless hoods shining with different precious stones, appeared resplendent with a concentrated golden light as big as Mount Maha Meru. He was accompanied by the Sun and the Moon, the nine planets and crowds of stars, rising over the horizon... He stated,

"I am pleased with your offerings and the way you saved the serpents from the fire. To fulfill your desire I myself am going to incarnate on the Earth as your beloved son. I shall assume the form of a serpent and stay here permanently as long as the sun and the moon are there, showering prosperity on your family and granting protection to all the devotees who come here..."

The wild fire was extinguished and thus mandarsala, the place with mandara trees, became Mannarsala, it became the quiet home of serpents where they could live in peace and without fear. Soon after the boon came true. The lady became pregnant and gave birth to a five-hooded serpent child as well as a human child. The blessed couple who had achieved the fulfillment of life gave up all worldly pleasures. They became brahmacharis, and spent the rest of their lives immersed in the observance of penance.

The serpent child and the human child grew up together, but they soon were on the threshold of youth. Nagaraj instructed the younger brother to enter into matrimony for the preservation of the holy family. The boy agreed, and raised a noble family that lived in peace and happiness. When he felt that the objectives of his incarnation were achieved the five-hooded Nagaraj approached his mother to give certain information and important secrets. He stated that he could no longer move about in his natural form as a serpent. This would sometimes cause fear to the devotees; there was no need to assume any disguise. He proclaimed that he would live at this household forever by entering into samadhi with perfect peace of mind in a quiet place of solitude. He would forever promote the prosperity of the Mannarsala temple and bless the devotees who seek his help. He suggested certain rituals and rules for offering worship. He then went into the immaculate cellar and vanished.