Thirunavaya Sree Nava Mukunda temple is located on the banks of Bharathapuzha at Thirunavaya on the Tirur – Kuttippuram road in Malappuram district. Thirunavaya Temple festival 2024 date is April 14 to April 23. The 10-day annual festival begins on the Vishu Sankramana day.
The main deity worshipped in the temple is Vishnu who faces east. The murti is nearly 6 feet tall along with the peedam. The Upa Devatas in the temple are Maha Lakshmi (Goddess Sri or Sri Bhagavathi) and Ganapathy.
Sun Rays Falling On Nava Mukundan Murti In Sreekovil
The unique construction of the sanctum sanctorum is a wonder as the sun rays fall directly on the murti of Vishnu in Sreekovil on the morning of the Vishu day (1st day of the Malayalam month Medam) and the 1st day of the 1st day of the Malayalam month of Kanni.
Difficulty In Consecrating The Thirunavaya Sree Nava Mukunda Murti
It is said that a strange event happened during the consecration or Prathishta of Vaikuntanathan the main murti in the temple. A total nine times attempts were made to consecrate the murti but it never got fixed.
When it became impossible to fix the murti a person present told the murti of Vaikuntanathan that Palpayasam will be offered daily. When this offer was made the murti got fixed.
The roof sreekovil is covered with copper. On the western nada there is a murti of Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva.
The temple has been renovated several times. The temple structure that stands now was renovated by Vettath Raja around 1300 years ago.
Thirunavaya Temple Is A Divya Desam
The shrine is one among the 108 Vaishnava Tirupati or Divya Desams. There are 13 Divya Desams in Kerala. It is said that the prathishta in the temple was held when Kulasekhara Alwar was alive.
Mamangam And Perumthachan
The famous Mamangam festival of ancient Kerala was held in the premises of Thirunavaya Sree Nava Mukunda temple.
Perumthachan installed a Kuthu Vilakku at Edakkulam so that the lamp in the temple will not extinguish due to wind.
A structure named Pazhukka mandapam, a stage from where the members of the family of Zamorin watched the Mamankam festival is situated in the south-east corner of this temple.
Lotus Garland Offer For Pain Free Death
The main offerings in the temple are Nei or Neyyu Vilakku (ghee lamp), Palpayasam and Thamara mala (lotus garland).
Lotus garland is offered in the temple to have a death without any pain.
Pitru Bali Tharpanam At Thirunavaya Temple
The temple is famous for Shradham and Bali Tharpanam. The Amavasya or Karutha Vavu days the Malayalam months of Thulam, Kumbam and Karkidakam are of great importance. Thousands of people arrive on these three days to offering Pitru Bali to departed ancestors.
The dravya kalasham ritual in the temple is held in Malayalam Meena Masam (March - April).