Thirunavai Sri Navaimukunthan Temple, Kerala

Deity: Navamukunda perumal, Amman: Malarmangai Nachiyar
Temple Address: Sri Navaimukunthan Temple, Thirunavai - 676 ​​301 Malappuram District, State of Kerala Phone: 0494 260 3747 District: Malappuram
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

• Location: Tirunavaya Temple (Tirunavaya Navamukunda Temple) is located in central Kerala, India, on the northern bank of Bharatappuzha (River Ponnani).
• Deity: Dedicated to Navamukundan (a form of Vishnu), worshiped as Navamukunda Perumal.
• Glorification: The temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of hymns by Tamil Vaishnava Alvars. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams.
• Rituals: The temple has no pond or well; instead, water from the Bharatappuzha River is used for rituals. It is considered a Trimurti sangama due to the presence of nearby Brahma and Shiva temples across the river.
• Associated Deities: Ganapati (Adi Ganesa), Lakshmi (Malarmangai Nachiyar), and Ayyappa Swami are also worshipped.
  • Lakshmi has a separate shrine, unlike many other Vishnu-Lakshmi temples.
• Puranic Significance:
  • The temple hosted the Mamankams, a festival celebrated every 12 years.
  • Destroyed by Tipu Sultan in the 18th century and again during the 1921 Mappila Rebellion.
  • The temple is dedicated to Navamukunda Perumal, with a legend that the first eight idols sank into the earth, and the ninth idol sank to its knees before being stopped.
  • Navayogis: Nine yogis installed the idols, and the site is known as Navayogisthala.
  • Gajendra and Lakshmi worshiped Vishnu here with lotus flowers from a nearby lake.
• Beliefs:
  • Similar to Kashi, many people come to Ithalam (Tirunavaya) to honor their ancestors and perform Pitru Darbhanam (ancestral rites).
  • Devotees get married to Perumal and dress up to worship him.
• Special Features:
  • The temple follows Kerala Temple Architecture, with a rectangular structure surrounding the sanctum.
  • Kshetra-matilluka (rectangular outer wall), dvaja sthambha (metal-plated flag-post), and dipasthambha (light post) are notable features.
  • The temple includes a Chuttuambalam (outer pavilion), nalambalam (pillared halls and corridors), and namaskara mandapa (raised platform).
  • Thevrapura: The kitchen for preparing offerings.
  • Balithara: An altar for ritual offerings to demi-gods and deities.
  • The Sri Kovil houses the idol of Navamukunda Perumal, and only the main priests (tantri and melsanti) can enter the sanctum.
  • The central temple has a square plan, built with granite and laterite, with a terracotta tile roof supported by a wooden structure.
  • The roof is designed to protect the structure from monsoon rains.
  • Wood and stucco carvings depict stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
  • Lamps are placed around the sanctum and lit during festivals.
• Festivals:
  • Vaikunda Ekadasi
  • Thiruvonam

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Saints and Singers

Thirumangaiyalwar two, Periyarvar eleven. So, thirteen verses.

Managed By

Travancore Devasthanam Board

Best Time

கோயில் திறந்திருக்கும் நேரம் : 05.00 11.00 மற்றும் 17.00 19.30

Accommodation

Thirunavai

Nearest Bus Station

Thirunavai

Nearest Railway Station

Mallapuram

Nearest Airport

Calicut

Location on Map

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