Temple

Thirunavaya Temple was the traditional venue for the historic ritual of the Mamankam festival, an enactment of traditional martial arts by suicide squads. Mamangam, a grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala, was held once every 12 years. This extravagant festival was conducted for the last time in 1766. The temple was attacked first during Tipu Sultan's invasion in 18th century and later in 1921 during the Moplah rebellion. It also figures among the 106 Divya Desams that exist in the Earthly realm according to the Tamil Alvar tradition of the 9th Century.

Legend

According to the local legends, goddess Lakshmi and Gajendra, the king of the elephants, worshiped god Vishnu here with lotus flowers from a lake nearby; with the two devotees using flowers from the same source, its supply dwindled, and Gajendra appealed to Vishnu, who took Lakshmi by his side on the same throne and accepted worship offered by Gajendra. There is another legend associated with the Tirunavaya Temple. The deity is called "Nava Mukundan" as it is believed that the idol was the ninth one to be installed in the shrine by a group of Hindu saints known as "Navayogis". The first eight idols disappeared as soon as they were placed there and the ninth sank to its knees before it was forcibly stopped. It is interesting that the image of Nava Mukundan is portrayed only from above the knee, the rest of the image being concealed within the ground. There is believed to be a bottomless unexplored pit behind the image in the sanctum.

Architecture

Thirunavaya Temple or 'The Navamukunda Temple' is one of the oldest Vishnu temples in Kerala. It dates back to the last period of the 'Dwaapara Yuga'. For unhindered availability of lotus flowers, one of the Maharajas of Travancore had constructed a vast pond of lotus plants nearby, and donated it to this temple. The temple and the surrounding region were under the rule of 'Cheraman Perumals' and later under 'Vettathu Rajas' who owed allegiance to Perumals. After demise of the last Vettathu Raja in 1793 AD, The British East India Company who, by this time became the rulers of this region, handed over this temple to Kozhikode Samoothiri Raja (the King Zamorin of Calicut) for its administration as 'Ooraalan'. Though the temple had undergone periodical renovations, the last and major renovation with the reconstruction of sanctum sanctorum was done by the legendary Perumthachan under the direction of the chief of Vettom. The reconstruction had the typical 'Perumthachan touch' making the rays of the rising sun fall on the idol on every Medam First (in Utharaayana period, ie in April) and on Kanni First, (in Dakshinayana period ie, in October)

Darsan Info

Darsan Dresscode

At Thirunavaya Temple,Kerala traditional attire is preferred

Famous Festival

Culture

Thirunavaya banks of Bharatapuzha is etched in the lores of Kerala history with valour and bravery of unsung warriors. It is also home for some of the ancient temples in the land, giving it a deep cultural footage.

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Temple Rituals

Besides the Navamukunda (Vishnu) which is the main deity of the Thirunavaya Temple, there are two other deities in the Temple: Aadi Ganesa and Sree Mahalakshmi.

Special Rituals

During Karkidakavavu, people flock at the banks of River Bharathapuzha near Thirunavaya Temple, to perform the pithrukriya for the departed souls.

Additional Info