Pathirakunnathu Mana || പാതിരിക്കുന്നത്ത് മന || അദ്ഭുതകഥകളുടെ പുണ്യവുമായി പാതിരിക്കുന്നത്ത്.......

Описание: Serpent worship is very common in Hinduism especially in Kerala. There are many temples in Kerala devoted to Serpents also known as Nagas. Amongst many, the three well known temple in the state are Pambumekkattu in Thrissur district, Mannarasala in Allapey district and Pathira kunnathu Mana in Palakkad district.
The temple is owned and run by a Brahmin family of Pathira kunnathu. The main deity of Nagaraja (serpent) is placed inside the mana, I could also spot the snake grooves and small deities in the grooves. There is also a small pond, where we could wash our feet before entering to the mana.
It is said that, long ago illathamma of the mana (women residing the manas were known as illathamma) were not having child. Therefore, as per the astrological calculation they were advised to visit the Vadakunathan temple. As advised, they visited the temple and after a long wait illathamma was mother to be, after 9 months illathamma not only delivered a baby but also a baby serpent, and after a while the baby serpent vanished. Therefore, the main deity of the temple is the place where the illathamma delivered a baby serpent.
Ayilyam Nakshatram (birth star in Malayalam) in Kanni Masam (month as per the Malayalam calendar) is an auspicious day and is of great significance in this temple, as this day is known for the serpent worship. At this day special poojas are offered to Nagaraja (the king of serpent).
The state has several temples dedicated to the worship of serpents (nagas). The most famous among these are the ones at Mannarasala, Pathirakkunnathu Mana and Pambumekkattu (or Pambimelkkavu).
Mannarasala in Alappusha district, of course, is the most famous of these and receives tens of thousands of devotees. The serpent temples at Pambumekkattu (Thrissur district) and Pathirakkunnathu Manu (Palakkad district) are not as famous but they serve as the Mannarasala to devotees in Malabar.
In Malayalam the word Mana refers to a Brahmin household. This temple is owned and managed by the Brahmin family of Pathira Kunnathu Mana. While the temple can be visited at any time of the year, most devotees prefer to visit during the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (mid-November to mid-December). Most Hindu families in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram make it a point to visit the temple at least once a year to protect themselves and their family from snakes.
If you are visiting in Vrishchikam be sure to reach early in the morning. If you can manage to reach the shrine before 7 am, you will be able to get darshan easily. Expect long queues if you arrive after 8 am.
The main shrine of Nagaraja (the king of serpents) is inside the Mana. Devotees can also visit the snake grooves spread over acres of land. There are some small shrines inside the groove.

Devotees take the prasadam available from here (turmeric paste, vibhooti (holy ash) and rice) home. They consume some of it and sprinkle the rest over their land. This is done to protect the house and its surrounding from harmful.
How to reach?
Pathira Kunnathu Mana is in the Mundakkottukurissi village of Shoranur. It takes about 30 minutes by road to reach the Mana from Shornur. It is only a short distance from Cherpulassery. Most devotees visiting the Mana also visit the Ayyappan Kavu at Cherpulassery.
The cult of snake worship in Kerala is closely interwoven with the life of the people of the State and is a component of its rich cultural heritage. Both within the sacred groves and outside snakes are still revered and worshiped with much piety in this State. The stillness within the deep shade of the groves, the feeling of the wilderness provided by the forest-like vegetation, the unique rituals, practices and taboos still associated with snakes, the mystery associated with treatment of snake bite victims, the fascinating folklores associated with the ‘kavus’ and snake worship are all part of the rich culture of the land. One may feel the presence of some primeval powers in the Sarpa Kavus (serpent groves) in Kerala. Perhaps nowhere else in India is the cult of snake worship so intricately linked with the daily lives of people as in Kerala. This is despite the fact that snakes are killed in large numbers all the time on the mistaken notion that all of them are venomous.
However, the Brahmins were attacked and not allowed to settle in Kerala by Naagas, or serpents very abundant at that time in Kerala. The serpents were believed to be the inhabitants of the subterranean world, locally known as Paathalam or Naagalokam. The dejected Parasurama went to Mount Kailash and prayed to Lord Parameswara for help. As a result every Brahmin house in Kerala had set apart an area in their compound for serpents. As this area was kept undisturbed, they turned into a forest-like overgrown patch or a grove, often referred to as the Sarpa Kavu.
Apart from sacred groves, the serpent idols are also installed inside the regular temples of Kerala; Naagaraja is installed.