Tirunavaya

Thirunavaya
Revenue Village Grama Panchayat
Bharathapuzha in Thirunavaya
Thirunavaya Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates: 11°00′04″N 75°59′28″E / 11.0010°N 75.9911°E / 11.0010; 75.9911Coordinates: 11°00′04″N 75°59′28″E / 11.0010°N 75.9911°E / 11.0010; 75.9911
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Malappuram
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Nearest Municipality	Tirur

Thirunavaya 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), Thirunavaya was one of the venues for Mamangam, a grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala, held once every 12 years.^[1]

Thirunavaya is situated in the Revenue Village (00041700) of the same name, in Tirur Taluk.^[2] Thirunavaya is part of the Grama Panchayat of the same name.^[3]

History and culture

From ancient 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.^[4]

The Thirunavaya Nava Mukunda (Hindu) Temple is also a famous 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 Vettath Raja about 1300 years back. 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).^[5]

Bharathapuzha in Thirunavaya, flows caressing the three temples of Maha Vishnu on its North bank and Lord Brahma and Parama Siva on its South bank . Hence the Pithrukarmas performed at this 'Thrimoorthy Sangam' are considered as very sacred. On Karkidaka Vavu (No Moon day of the Karkidaka month), Hindus flock at the banks of Bharathapuzha here, to perform the pithrukriya for the departed souls of their dead ancestors. The site of Melpatthur Illam, the home of the great poet, Melppatthur Narayana Bhattathiri; author of Narayaneeyam, is about 2 miles from Thirunavaya.^[6]

Transport

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

References