The Navamukunda temple, Ponnani, Kerala India

Thirunavaya Nava Mukunda Kshetram, also known as Thirunavaya Temple, is an ancient temple having great historical importance. The temple is scenically placed on the banks of River Bharathapuzha and draws devotees from all over Kerala. It is situated in a small village named Thirunavaya, a place marked in the ancient history of Kerala as the location for the most renowned Mamamnkam Festival.The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in the form of Nava Mukundan. Sub shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Lakshmi can be seen inside the temple complex. The temple was known in ancient times as Vedic learning center and scholars from all over south India believed to have visited this place. During the period of Mysorean invasion, the temple was ravaged and looted by the army of Tipu Sultan but later regained its glory. Thirunavaya Temple is located 8 km away from Tirur town and is accessible by road.

The Navamukunda temple at Thirunavaya is one of the leading Hindu pilgrimage shrines in Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu. There is an interesting legend behind the name of the temple.  The deity is called Nava Mukunda because the idol here was the ninth one to be installed in the temple by a group of rishis (saints) known as the Navayogis (a group contains nine saints). The first eight idols disappeared as soon as they were placed there and the ninth sank to its knees before it was stopped. It is one of the major Vishnu temples in Kerala. 'Pithru Tharpanam' is a ritual, held here on the day of 'Amavasi' (New moon night) of 'Karkitaka '(July). ‘Bali Karma’ is offered by people in their wet clothes, after three dips in the river, for the salvation of sins and appeases the dead souls. All these rituals happen there in presence of another deity Siva here. The Siva temple lies near to the Navamukunda temple. The places Thirunavaya also include a Brahma temple, one of the only two such temples in India. Thus Thirunavaya becomes the land hosts 'thrimurthis' ie Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. In essence the 'Om' hosts this holy village. (According to Hindu mythology the sound 'Om' is the combination of the essence of the trimurthi's). The temple is located on the banks of Bharathapuzha River. According to popular folklore, this temple and the nearby areas were the venue for ‘Mamakam’ festival. ‘Mamankam’ was a grant assembly of kings reigned in this region and was held once in a 12-year span. The temple is located at Thirunavaya, which is 8 kilometers away from Tirur and is well connected by road. The nearest railway station is Tirur and airport is Calicut International Airport. The important offerings by devotees to the lord are Naivilakku, Thamara mala, Palpayasam, Malar Para, Thali charthal etc.