Thirunavaya

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Thirunavaya

This place is both historically and culturally important. Located on the banks of Bharatpuzha river, Thirunavaya is a place which in earlier times served as a venue for the grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala. This assembly was important since it was organized only once in twelve years and was accompanied by an extravagant festival. The last time this festival was organized was in 1755 AD.

As of today Thirunavaya plays host to the annual Sarvodaya Mela. The Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple is also a famous pilgrim centre where Hindus gather to perform their religious rituals such as 'Vavu Bali' (Balidarppanam)

Thirunavaya is a small village between 10 km away from Tirur and 8 km from Kuttippuram in Malappuram district of Kerala, south India. This village is famed as the theatre of the Mamankam (see below) festival held in the Thirunavaya Temple on the banks of the River Bharat.

Thirunavaya was once the capital of Perumpadapu Swaroopam. They were forced to move their capital from Thirunavaya to Thiruvanchikkulam, when the Samoothiri captured Thirunavaya. Between 1353-1361 AD, the Samoothiri Raja fought a series of small battles with smaller states called the Thirunavaya War. After Thirunavaya was captured, the Samoothiri proclaimed himself as the Rakshapurusha (in Malayalam for chief protector) and announced that from then on, he had the sole right of conducting the Mamankam festival - a major Hindu festival of the Bhagavati deity held at Thirunavaya.

Mamankam

Mamankam festival, (also Mamangam), is a medieval festival of South India, especially Kerala, originally celebrated during the time of King Saamoothiri (Zamorin), the 15th century ruler of Kozhikode (Malabar), it is one of the prominent festivals of Kerala. Mamankam was a great trade fair from the Sangham period where traders from Kerala and Tamil Nadu came through Ponnani Port by ships and barges. It was held once in 12 years.

At the end of the rule of Perumals, the right of Mamankam was with Valluvakonathiri Moopil Nair (better known as Vellattiri), the ruler of Valluvanad. Later the Zamorin of Kozhikode, took this right by force and this resulted in dispute and bloodshed between these two Rajas.

The Zamorin declared himself as Maharakshapurusha of the temple there. Valluvanad Raja used to send Chaver Nairs to fight until death, to recapture the right from the Zamorin, who would stand poised at Nilapadu thara in Thriunavaya, surrounded by a large contingent of Nairs and Mappila warriors, in every 12th year. The last of such Mamankam, was believed to be held in 1766, when Zamorin had a hair-breadth escape from a Chaver (suicide squad) aged 16 - Putumanna Kandaru Menon. (For more details about Mamangam, please visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamankam_festival)

Famous Malayalam poet Melputhoor Narayana Bhattathiri was born at Melputhoor Illam, located 3.5 km from Thirunavaya, on the northern banks of Nila River (another name of river Bharat).

Thirunavaya is one of the very few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator God of Hindu mythology.

A railway station is located 1 km away from the center. 7 km distance from National Highway 17 from Puthanathani and 8 km from Kuttippuram.

One of the major attraction in Thirunavaya area is it Pink Lotus farming. There are around 4 major lotus farms in Thirunavaya and surroundings.

The beauty of nature is eye candy at the bank of River Nila anywhere in Thirunavaya; Ideal for river bath with white sands and crystal clear water. The green paddy fields are another symbol of village beauty here.

Navamukunda Higher Secondary is one of the old and renowned educational institutes in Kerala.

Sree Sankaracharaya Sanskrit University branch is located in Thirunavaya.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, MES Central School, AES Central School Allur, MET Central School Kuthukallu, are some major educational institutes in this area.