Tirunavaya

Tirunavaya തിരുനാവായ Tirunavai (Colonial)
Revenue Village Grama Panchayat
Brahmashiva Temple, Thirunavaya
Tirunavaya Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Malappuram
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Nearest Municipality	Tirur

River Nila

Tirunavaya - styled as the Kashi of South India - is a Hindu pilgrim centre situated 8 km south - east of Tirur Municipality in Malappuram district, Kerala state. Situated on the northern bank of Bharathapuzha (Nila River), Tirunavaya is one of the most prominent places for bali tharpan in Kerala.

Thirunavaya was the venue for Mamankam, a medieval military and cultural festival, held once every 12 years.

Thirunavaya is situated in the Revenue Village of the same name, in Tirur Taluk. Thirunavaya is part of the Grama Panchayat of the same name.

History and culture

From medieval times, Thirunavaya was known throughout India as a centre of excellence for Vedic teachings, with Veda Patha Salais (Thirunnavaya Otthanmmar Maddom) for teaching the Vedas, Sasthras, Tantric mantras, performing of rituals and preaching under learned scholars.

The Thirunavaya Nava Mukunda Temple is also a famous Hindu pilgrim centre. The Vaishnavas have 108 Thiruppathis (most holy temples) and eleven of them are now in Kerala and Thirunavaya is one among them. 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).

Bharathapuzha in Thirunavaya, flows caressing the temples of god Vishnu (Nava Mukunda Temple) on its north bank and god Brahma and Shiva on its south bank. Hence the pithrukarma/pithrukriyas performed at this 'Thrimoorthy Sangam' are considered as very sacred. On Karkidaka Vavu (no moon day of the Karkidaka month), Hindus from different part of northern Kerala travel to the temple, to perform the pithrukriya (bali tharpan) seeking moksha for their ancestors.

The site of Melpatthur Illam, the home of the medieval polymath, Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri; author of Narayaniyam, is about 2 miles from Thirunavaya.

Transport

• Nearest railway station: Thirunavaya Railway Station is around 1.5 km away
• Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport is about 32 km away

Image gallery

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  Navamukundha Temple

• Shareef 113.jpg

  Railway Station

• Thirunnavaya Railway Station, Kuttippuram.jpg

  Railway Station

• Manikkinar Thirunavaya.jpg

  Manikkinar