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Harippad
Harippad is located 5 Km from Payippad which is world famous
for the Payippad Boat Race. Harippad is the nearest railway
station to Payippad and the most convenient place to stay when
you travel to Kerala to see the oldest and most popular snake
boat race in Kerala. This event is closely connected to the
Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is held on the
Payippad River on the Chathayam asterism of the Malayalam month
Chingam, (August-September) the day of the installation of the
deity at the Temple. The annual boat race will held this year
on 17th September 2005.
Legends say that Maharaja Devanarayana of Chempakasseri, as
instructed by the royal priest, built a temple at Ambalappuzha.
But just before the installation of the deity he was informed
that the idol was not auspicious. The king was disturbed, but
his minister suggested an inspired solution. To bring down the
beautiful idol of Sree Krishna - presented to Arjuna by the
Lord himself, from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi.
The minister with a few others went to Kurichi, met the authorities
there and returned with the idol. On the way back they stopped
at Champakulam to spent the night and perform a pooja. The next
morning boats from the entire region assembled to escort the
idol in a colourful, ceremonial procession through the lake
to the Temple.
Years later the pageant is still re-enacted with the same enthusiasm.
An exotic procession of water floats, boats decorated with colourful
parasols and performing arts greets the spectator before the
race. The race proper is held in various stages for various
categories of boats.
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple (32 km south of Alappuzha):
Situated near Harippad, this is a serpent shrine under the patronage
of a brahman family, headed by a priestess. The ancient shrine
is an internationally renowned pilgrim centre dedicated to the
Serpent God Nagaraja.
Sarpa Yakshi and Naga Yakshi are the beloved consorts of Nagaraja.
It is believed that Nagaraja as the installed diety is endowed
with the form of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and the spirit of Lord Shiva.
Legend has it that the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth
to a five-headed snake, which is believed to reside in the ancestral
house to safeguard the family.
At Mannarasala barren women are believed to be blessed with
children and a special turmeric paste available at the shrine
is credited with powers to cure even leprosy.
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