Haripad Subrahmanya Temple

History

Haripad town hosts one of Kerala’s best-known Subrahmanya temples on the state tourism temple list for Alappuzha.

The shrine is often visited together with Mannarasala and Ambalappuzha Krishna temples on the same pilgrimage day.

Stories

Palani of the South

The Haripad Subrahmanya Swamy temple is known as Dakshina Palani, the Palani of the south. It is believed to have been founded even before the beginning of Kali Yuga, and its founding day is marked each year on the Pushya star of the month of Makaram. One tradition adds that Vishnu appeared in the form of a sage to consecrate the temple. Such beliefs are told within the temple community and cannot be dated by historical evidence.

A Fire and a Rebuilding

The temple is said to have caught fire in the Malayalam year 1096, yet the golden flagstaff, put up in the year 1067, and the Koothambalam were saved. Accounts date the present temple building to the reign of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma of Travancore, from 1930 to 1949. Close to the temple stands the Mannarasala serpent shrine, the largest snake temple in Kerala, said to have over 30,000 images of snakes along its forest paths, and pilgrims often visit the two together.

Snake Boats and the Idol From Kandalloor

It is believed that the present idol of Subrahmanya was brought from Kandalloor, escorted by snake boats and a feast on the water. The Payippad Jalolsavam, a three-day water festival held on nearby Payippad Lake, is conducted to renew that memory. The temple has three festivals each year, among them the Chithira Utsavam, which begins on Vishu and lasts ten days.

Good to know

Major Subrahmanya shrine — Kerala Tourism listed

Kavadi and annual Utsavam draw large regional crowds

Near Mannarasala serpent shrine (separate app entry)

Getting there

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (COK). Haripad railway station serves the town.