Pampady Pampumkavu Temple is a popular shrine dedicated to
Nagaraja in Kerala. Serpents are worshipped here from the time of Parashuram.
The shrine is dedicated to Shiva and Nagas. This important center of snake
worship in Kerala is located at Pampady near Thiruvilwamala in Thrissur
District, Kerala.
Pampadi means ‘dancing snakes’ and the origin of Sree
Nagaraja of Pampumkavu is associated with Parashurama Avatar of Bhagavan
Vishnu.
There are no murtis in the shrine. Shiva and Nagas are worshipped
here in the form of a termite mound.
Story of Orgin of Pampady Pampumkavu Temple
Legend has it that when Parashurama created Kerala from the
sea, there were thousands of snakes roaming on the newly created land. People
were scared to reside in the land. Parashurama prayed to Shiva for a solution.
Shiva asked Parashurama to offer prayers to Vasuki who is the
Nagaraja.
He then performed intense austerities to please Vasuki. Finally,
he appeared before Parashurama.
Parashurama told him that his people could not reside in the
land as it was filled with poisonous snakes.
Vasuki then asked Parashurama to designate a place for
snakes in the new land. The place that was suggested was Pampady. A sage used
to perform prayers to Shiva and therefore the place already had the presence of
Shiva.
Shiva then asked the sage to offer equal prayers to him and
the nagas. The sage did as told and the nagas started residing here happily.
Nagaraja and Naga Kanyaka are worshipped here in the form of
termite mounds.
The most important festival here is the Ayilyam Nakshatram
in Kanni Masam (September or October).