Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple Situated on the pristine banks of the Bharathapuzha, the Navamukunda Temple attracts art lovers with its majestic edifice, historical significance and beautiful environment. The Navamukunda Temple is one of the oldest Vishnu temples in the state of Kerala. This temple located near Tirur in Malappuram district in Kerala, and is famed for the historic Mamankam festival (a grand celebration that occurs once every twelve years). The temple is believed to have been built centuries ago. A structure named Pazhukka mandapam, a stage from where the members of the Zamorin’s family (the hereditary monarch of the kingdom of Kozhikode) watched the Mamankam festivals, is situated in the south-east corner of this temple. The temple has been renovated several times. The temple structure that stands now was renovated by Vettath Raja around 1300 years ago.

Nilapadu Thara was a venue for a grand festival called Mamankam(or Mamangam) which was organized only once in twelve years and celebrated for 28 days. The festival was a meeting ground for traders who came from around the world by ships through the Ponnani port. At the end of the 28th day, in the grand finale, midst a vast gathering of rulers, the new King of Kerala was selected. However, it was not all celebration and good life. The trade fairs were of high economical benefit for those who controlled the festival. Originally celebrated by King Samoothiri(or Zamorin), the right to conduct Mamankam fell later in the hands of the ruler of Valluvanad, Valluvakonathiri Moopil Nair (famously called Vellattiri). There were bitter battles between Samoothiri and Vellattiri when Samoothiri forcibly took over the right to conduct Mamankam. The dispute changed the purpose of the festival(of selecting new rulers) and it became a bloddy battlefield for revenge amongst Samoothiri and Vellattiri. Vellattiri would send chavers(suicide squads) to assassinate Samoothiri who would stand waiting at the Nilapadu Thara with his huge contingent of soldiers. Sworn to fight until death and recapture the right from Samoothiri, the Chavers sent out were led by a Nair from each of the four most important Nair families of Valluvanad. The legendary Chavers were a total of 18 which also included a Nair from Kakooth. My dad’s uncle is one of the many descendants of the warrior Nair from Kakooth. Incidentally, my dad too has the initials K. N (Kakooth Nair) before his name. The last Mamankam was believed to have been held at Thirunavaya in 1755. Today, Thirunavaya is regarded as a place with historical importance and the Nilapadu Thara is under the protection of the Archaeological Department of Kerala.

Marunnara is situated on Kodakkal-Bandar Road. It was used by the Samutiris to store the explosives for Mamankam battle

Manikkinar is a well in which the bodies of the dead Valluvanatu warriors were thrown into (by elephants apparently)

Changampally Kalari is situated close to Thazhathara-Kuttippuram Road. This was where warriors were trained for battles and administered treatment when injured

ചരിത്രപ്രധാനമായ മാമാങ്കം നടക്കുമ്പോള്‍ സമയത്ത് രക്ഷാധികാരിയായ സാമൂതിരി രാജാവ് ഇരുന്നിരുന്ന സ്ഥലം. സാമൂതിരിയുടെ അധികാരം ചോദ്യംചെയ്തിരുന്ന വളളുവക്കോനാതിരിയുടെ പടയാളികള്‍ ഈ പീഠത്തിലിരിക്കുന്ന രാജാവിനെ കൊലചെയ്ത് അധികാരം വളളുവക്കോനാതിരിക്ക് തിരികെ വാങ്ങിക്കൊടുക്കുവാനാണ് മാമാങ്കത്തിന് എത്തിയിരുന്നത്. ഈ ഭൂമി 2008ല്‍ പുരാവസ്തു വകുപ്പ് ഏറ്റെടുത്ത് സംരക്ഷിച്ചുവരുന്നു.