Tirunavaya


Tirunavaya, also spelled as Thirunavaya, is a town in Tirur Malappuram, Kerala. Situated on the northern bank of Bharatappuzha (River Ponnani/Nila or Perar), it is one of the major Hindu pilgrimage centres in Kerala. Tirunavaya, home to Tirunavaya Temple and temples of Siva and Brahma, is one of the most prominent places for bali tarpana on Karkitaka vavu in Kerala.
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History

Tirunavaya seems to be a very sacred place for the Hindus of Kerala from time immemorial. Bharathappuzha at Tirunavaya is considered to assume a special sanctity, because it flows between the temple of Vishnu on its right bank and the temple of Brahma and Siva on its left. The village, situated on the fertile river basin, must have been one of the most prominent Brahmin settlement in Kerala. Tirunavaya also hosted the Mamankam, a type of medieval temple festival with huge political significance, in every 12 years.

Navamukunda Temple

The Navamukunda Temple is considered one of the 108 original tirupatis of the Vaishnava alvars. The pitrkarma/pitrkriyas performed at Tirunavaya, a trimūrti sangama, are considered as very sacred. On Karkitaka vavu, Hindus from different part of northern Kerala travel to the temple, to perform the Pitrkriya seeking moksha for their ancestors. According to media, more than 50,000 devotees performed vavu bali at Navamukunda Temple in 2015. Bali rites are also performed at Tirunavaya on the vavu days of Tulam and Kumbham.

Geography & Demographics

Tirunavaya Census Town, geographical area:, has a population of 24,790. The Muslims compose 77.41% of the total number, while Hindus form of 18.30% of the total population. Schedule Caste constitutes 6.17% while Schedule Tribe were 0.63% of total population in Tirunavaya CT.

Climate

Yearly average rainfall of the census town is. Maximum temperature here reaches up to and minimum temperature goes down to.

Places of interest

Festivals

Mamankam festival was held once every 12 years at Tirunavaya, Kerala on the banks of the river Bharathappuzha,
  • Vairankode vela

Transportation