Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple

Last updated

Thirunavaya Temple
Tirunavaya Navamukunda Temple
Thirunavaya (5).jpg
Tirunavaya Navamukunda Temple
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Malappuram
Deity Navamukunda (Vishnu)
Location
Location Tirunavaya, Tirur, Kerala
State Kerala
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
India Kerala location map.svg
Om symbol.svg
Navamukunda Temple, Thirunavaya, Malappuram, Kerala, India
Geographic coordinates 10°51′49″N75°58′54″E / 10.863719°N 75.981761°E / 10.863719; 75.981761
Architecture
TypeKerala Temple Architecture
Specifications
Temple(s)One
Elevation28.8 m (94 ft)
Inside the praharam of the Thirunaavaya temple.jpg

Tirunavaya Temple (in full Tirunavaya Navamukunda Temple) is an ancient Hindu temple at Tirunavaya, central Kerala, India, on the northern bank of the Bharatappuzha (River Ponnani), dedicated to Navamukundan (Narayana-Vishnu). [1]

Contents

The temple is glorified in Divya Prabandha , an early medieval Tamil collection of hymns by the Vaishnava Alvars. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to god Vishnu, who is worshipped as Navamukunda Perumal at Tirunavaya. The temple has no pond or well, and water from the river is used for all rituals. The presence of Cherutirunavaya Brahma - Siva Temples across the River Ponnani at Tavanur makes it a Trimurti sangama. The river bank in the temple are considered as holy as Kasi and the ritual offering practices for forefathers (bali tarpana/sradha puja) are similar to the ones done there. [2] Ganapati (Adi Ganesa/Gajendra), Lakshmi ("Malarmangai Nachiyar") and Ayyappa Swami are the associated pratishthas. Goddess Lakshmi has a separate sri kovil in the temple, unlike most of the other Narayana-Lakshmi temples. [1]

The temple was the venue of the Mamankams, a festival celebrated once in 12 years from at least the 8th century CE. [3] [4] The temple building was attacked and destroyed during the invasion of Kerala by Sultan of Mysore Tipu (18th century CE), and later attacked in 1921 during the Mappila Rebellion. [5] [6] [7] The present temple building is constructed in the indigenous Kerala Temple Architecture style.

Presently, the Tirunavaya temple (Malappuram Division, Grade: Sp) is administered by Samutiri of Kozhikode (Zamorin of Calicut) as the managing trustee under Malabar Devaswom Board, Government of Kerala. The temple is open from 05.00 am to 10.00 am and 04.00 pm to 07.00 pm on all days leaving festive days. [8]

Legends

The Vishnu is called "Navamukunda Perumal/Tevar" as it is believed that the idol was the ninth one to be installed in the temple by a group of nine Hindu yogis known as "Navayogis". The first eight idols sank into the Earth as soon as they were placed there and the ninth sank to its knees before it was forcibly stopped. As the location of the sunken idols were not known, devotees used to make pradikshina on their knees. Even Alvancheri Tamparakkal and Tirunavaya Vaddhyans were not exempted from this practice. [9] Tirunavaya is also known as called "Navayogisthala". [10]

Tirunavaya Temple Thirunavaya (6).jpg
Tirunavaya Temple

According to the legends, goddess Lakshmi and Gajendra, the king of the elephants, worshiped god Vishnu here with lotus flowers from a lake nearby; with the two devotees using flowers from the same source, its supply dwindled, and Gajendra appealed to Vishnu, who took Lakshmi by his side on the same throne and accepted worship offered by Gajendra. [11]

Architecture

The present temple is built in Kerala Temple Architecture style, which is almost common in all temples in Kerala.

The outer walls around the sanctum of the temple Thirunavaya (8).jpg
The outer walls around the sanctum of the temple

A rectangular wall around the temple, called kshetra-matilluka pierced by the gateways, encloses all the temples within the temple. The metal plated flag-post ( dvaja sthambha ) is located axial to the temple tower leading to the central sanctum and there is a dipasthambha, which is the light post. Chuttuambalam is the outer pavilion within the temple walls. The central temple and the associated hall is located in a rectangular structure called nalambalam, which has pillared halls and corridors. [12]

Between the entrance of nalambalam to the sanctum, there is a raised square platform called namaskara mandapa which has a pyramidal roof. Thevrapura, the kitchen used to cook offering to the Navamukunda is located on the left of namaskara mandapa from the entrance. Balithara is an altar is used for making ritualistic offering to demi-gods and the festive deities. The central temple called sri kovil houses the idol of the Navamukunda. It is on an elevated platform with a single door reached through a flight of five steps. Either sides of the doors have images of guardian deities called dvarapalakas. As per Kerala rituals, only the main priest called tantri and the second priest called melsanti alone can enter the sri kovil. [13]

The central temple has a square plan with the base built of granite, superstructure built of laterite and conical roof made of terracotta tile supported from inside by a wooden structure. The roof projects in two levels to protect the inner structure from heavy rains during monsoon. The roof of the temple and some of the pillars have lavish wood and stucco carvings depicting various stories of epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata . [14] The outer walls around the sanctum have a series of wooden frames housing an array of lamps, which are lit during festive occasions. [15]

River bank where austerities are performed for forefathers Thirunavaya (17).jpg
River bank where austerities are performed for forefathers

The idol of Navamukunda is portrayed only from above the knee, the rest of the idol being concealed within the ground. There is believed to be a bottomless unexplored pit behind the idol in the sanctum. The idol of the Navamukunda is 6 ft (1.8 m) tall, and is made of stone and covered with pancha loha. The idol is in a standing posture, with four hands carrying Panchajanya conch, lotus flower, Kaumodaki mace and the terrible Sudarshana discus. The idol is facing east. [11]

Goddess Lakshmi has a separate sri kovil in the Tirunavaya Temple. The sri kovil is in the north-west of the nalambalam, to the left of Navamukunda, and the idol is facing east. The idol only have two hands, with varadabhaya mudra. [7]

Pitru Tharpanam or Thithi or Pinda pradhanam

This temple is famous for pitru tharpanam. Like most of the temples in Kerala, One has to pay charges at the ticket counter which is hardly less than 100 rupees, And dip in the river(clothes the male needs to wear is mundu or dhoti or veshti) and in the wet clothes offer the tharpanam. All the ritual pooja items will be provided by the temple. After the ritual is complete, the wet clothes have to be changed. The temple strictly does not allow pants or other non Indian wear. Strictly men have to be in dhoti and their shirts removed.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided by the temple administration. Affordable accommodation is provided here. Rooms and common dormitories are available. One can contact the temple administration for advance bookings.

Festivals

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uthamar Kovil</span> Vishnu temple in Tiruchirapalli

Uthamar Kovil in Uthamarkoil, a village in the outskirts of Tiruchirappalli in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu Trimurti of Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Purushothaman Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Poornavalli Thayar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamakshi Amman Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kanchipuram

The Kamakshi Amman Temple, also known as Kamakoti Nayaki Kovil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kamakshi, one of the highest aspects of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess in Shaktism. The temple is located in the historic city of Kanchipuram, near Chennai, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple</span> Hindu temple of Krishna near Aranmula, India

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is a Hindu temple located near Aranmula, a village in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, South India. It is dedicated to the Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, who is worshipped as Parthasarathy. Constructed in the Kerala style of architecture, it is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the Alvar saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vilwadrinatha Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

The Vilwadrinatha Temple is a Hindu temple in Thiruvilwamala, a town in the city of Thrissur, Kerala, India. The principal deities are Rama, the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu, and his brother, Lakshmana. It figures among the Abhimana Kshetrams in Vaishnavite traditions. This is one of the four major Rama temples in Kerala — the other three are in Thriprayar, Kadavallur, and Thiruvangad. The temple houses an idol of Lakshmana, which is rare in India. Vilwadrinatha Temple is located in the centre of the community of Thiruvilwamala, atop a 100-foot-high hillock. Visible from the temple is Bharathappuzha, the second-largest river in Kerala, which flows past the temple's northern side from around 3 kilometres away.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veeraraghava Swamy Temple</span> Hindu temple of Vishnu in Thiruvallur, India

Veeraraghava Swamy Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, located in Tiruvallur, Chennai Metropolitan City, an area and headquarters in Tiruvallur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is counted as one among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. Vishnu is worshipped as Veeraraghava Perumal, and his consort Lakshmi as Kanakavalli Thayar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sundararaja Perumal temple</span> Vishnu temple in Tiruchirapalli

Thiru Anbil, or Sundararaja Perumal Temple, in Anbil, a village in the outskirts of Tiruchirappalli in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Sundararajan and his consort Lakshmi as Sundaravalli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarangapani Temple</span> Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam

The Sarangapani Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 poet saints, or Alvars. This temple is along Kaveri and is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tirunavaya</span> Place in Kerala, India

Tirunavaya, also spelled as Thirunavaya, is a town in Tirur Malappuram, Kerala. Situated on the northern bank of Bharatappuzha, it is one of the major Hindu pilgrimage centres in Kerala. Tirunavaya, home to Tirunavaya Temple and temples of Siva and Brahma, is one of the most prominent places for bali tarpana on Karkitaka vavu in Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nachiyar Koil</span> Hindu temple in Thanjavur, India

Nachiyar Kovil or Thirunarayur Nambi Temple is a Hindu temple in Thirunarayur, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi. It is the sub urban region of business city of Kumbakonam.

Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple is a temple situated in Trivandrum, Kerala, about a minute walk from the southern gate of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is also known as Srinivasar kovil, Perumal Kovil, Iyyengar Kovil or Desikar Sannidhi. The temple was built in 1898. The poojas in Kerala temples are based on the Namboodiri sampradayam, except a few like this.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirumoozhikkulam Lakshmana Perumal Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Thirumoozhikulam Sree Lakshmanaperumal Temple is located in Thirumoozhikalam (Moozhikkulam) in Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. The temple finds mention in some of verses of ancient Tamil Vedam sung by the Sri Vaishnava Alvars, particularly Nammalvar and Tirumangai Alvar and classified as Divya Desams, the 108 holy temples revered in the canon. This belongs to one of the 13 Malai Naatu (Kerala/Chera) Divya Desams, the Divya Desams located in Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loganatha Perumal Temple</span> Hindu temple in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu

The Loganatha Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu located 2 km away from Sikkal, Tamil Nadu, India on the Tiruvarur-Nagapatnam highway. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshiped as Loganatha Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Loganayagi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gajendra Varadha Temple</span> Hindu temple in Thanjavur

The Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple in Thirukkavithalam, a village in the outskirts of Papanasam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Gajendra Varadha Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Ramamanivalli. The temple is one of the five Pancha-Kannan temples, where Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu is given prominence over the presiding deity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Kovil</span> Hindu temple of Vishnu near Kumbakonam, India

Nathan Kovil or Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram Temple in Nathan Kovil, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Jagannathan and his consort Lakshmi as Shenbagavalli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple</span> Vishnu temple in Chengannur

The Thrichittatt Mahavishnu Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu,located in Chengannur, Alappuzha District, Kerala, South India. Constructed in the Kerala style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, by Nammalvar, one of the Sri Vaishnava saint-poets of the 8th century called the Alvars. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, who is worshipped as Imayavarappan. The nearest railway station to the temple is located in Chengannur, while the nearest airports are Trivandrum International Airport and Nedupumpassery Airport Ernakulam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple</span> Vishnu temple in Kerala

The Thripuliyoor Mahavishnu Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and located in Puliyoor, Alappuzha District, Kerala, South India. Constructed in the Kerala style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Mayapiran/Thripuliyoorappan. The nearest railway station to the temple is located at Chengannur, while the nearest airport is Trivandrum International airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple</span> Hindu temple in Thiruvanvandoor

The Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and located in Thiruvanvandoor, Alappuzha District, Kerala, South India. Constructed in the Kerala style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Paambanaiappan. The nearest railway station to the temple is located in Chengannur, while the nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala

Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple is a Hindu temple equally associated with the deities Vishnu and Shiva. Temple is situated on the banks of the Bharathappuzha at Thirumittacode of Palakkad District in Kerala state in India. The five statues - one for Shiva and four Vishnu - are known here as Thirumattikodu five (Anchu) Moorthy Temple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple</span> Vishnu temple in Thrikodithanam

Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and located in Thrikkodithanam, Kottayam District, Kerala, South India. Constructed in the Kerala style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, who is worshipped as Mahavishnu. The nearest railway station to the temple is located in Changanassery, while the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chengannur Mahadeva Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Chengannur Mahadeva Temple is a prominent Hindu temple, dedicated to Shiva and located in the town of Chengannur in the South Indian state of Kerala. The temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala, along with the Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom Temple, Ernakulam Shiva Temple and Vadakkunnathan Temple. There are shrines for Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Subrahmanya, Shasta, Krishna, Nilagriva, Sthalisha, Hanuman, Ganga, and serpent deities inside and outside the temple complex.

References

  1. 1 2 "Thirunavaya Temple". Indian Temples Portal. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
  2. 1 2 Varma, R. Sreejith; S., Rangarajan (2016). "The possibilities of a river and a ritual dance". In Alex, Rayson K.; Deborah, S. Susan (eds.). Ecodocumentaries: Critical Essays. Springer. p. 178. ISBN   9781137562241.
  3. Kerala Tourism - Pilgrim Centres - Thirunavaya
  4. "Thirnavaya temple". Chennai Live News. 13 October 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  5. "Malappuram Tourist Attraction - Pilgrimage Centres". Mallapuram District administration. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
  6. Balakrishna, Sandeep (2015). TipuSultan- The Tyrant of Mysore. RARE Publications. p. 101. ISBN   9782765908326.
  7. 1 2 3 Infokerala Communications Pvt. Ltd. (2015). Pilgrimage to Temple Heritage 2015. Info Kerala Communications Pvt Ltd. p. 405. ISBN   9788192947013.
  8. "Sri Navamukunda temple". Dinamalar. 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  9. "Destination Thirunavaya". Outlook. 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  10. 1 2 R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 513–4.
  11. 1 2 "Thirunavaya temple". Templenet. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  12. Rao, A.V. Shankaranaryana (2012). Temples of Kerala. Vasan Publications. pp. 12–13. ISBN   978-81-89888-94-7.
  13. Cultural Heritage of Kerala 2008, p. 139
  14. Subodh Kapoor, ed. (2002). The Indian Encyclopaedia: Kamli-Kyouk Phyu. Vol. 13. Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 3963. ISBN   9788177552577.
  15. Noble, William A. (1981). "The Architecture and Organization of Kerala Style Hindu Temples". Anthropos. 76 (1/2): 17. ISSN   0257-9774. JSTOR   40460291.
  16. Mathew, Biju (2016). Kerala Tradition & Fascinating Destinations 2016. Info Kerala Communications Pvt Ltd. p. 556. ISBN   9788192947051.