Key Information at a Glance
| Temple | Tirunavaya Nava Mukunda (Navamukunda) Temple, dedicated to Vishnu |
| Location | Thirunavaya, Malappuram district, Kerala, on the bank of the Bharatapuzha river |
| Famous for | Pitru tharpanam / bali tarpana — shraddha rites for ancestors |
| Best day for bali | Karkidaka Vavu (new moon in Karkidakam, around July–August); amavasya days are also observed year-round |
| How to arrange | Pay at the temple ticket counter on the day; ritual items are usually provided. Confirm with the temple / Malabar Devaswom Board |
| How to reach | Thirunavaya railway station ~2 km; Tirur (~11 km) and Kuttippuram (~12 km) stations nearby; Calicut International Airport ~43 km |
About the temple and pitru tharpanam
The Nava Mukunda Temple at Thirunavaya is an ancient Vishnu temple counted among the 108 Divya Desams. It sits on the northern bank of the Bharatapuzha, the river that gives the site much of its spiritual standing. For pitru karma — the duties a person performs for departed parents and ancestors — this river bank is held in the same regard that many Hindus reserve for the ghats of Kasi (Varanasi).
Pitru tharpanam, also called bali tarpana or shraddha, is the offering made on behalf of forefathers to seek peace for their souls. At Thirunavaya the rite is carried out on the riverbank itself. It is typically performed with darbha grass, a pavithram (a ring made from that grass), ellu (sesame), cooked rice, flowers, sandal paste and water, arranged on a banana leaf, with the offering completed in the flowing water of the river.
When to perform: Karkidaka Vavu and amavasya
The single most important occasion is Karkidaka Vavu — the new-moon (amavasya) day in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, which falls around July–August. On this day thousands of people travel to Thirunavaya to remember their ancestors, and the riverbank and temple premises are extremely crowded from the early morning hours. Because the exact date shifts each year with the lunar calendar, check the year’s Karkidaka Vavu date before planning.
You do not have to wait for Karkidaka Vavu. Many families perform bali tharpanam on the amavasya of other months, on the anniversary (varshikam) of a departed relative, or during the annual shraddha period, when the temple is far less crowded and the experience is calmer.
Cost and how to arrange it officially
Sri Vyasa Pooja is an information guide — we do not book rituals or take payments.
The temple is administered under the Malabar Devaswom Board (Government of Kerala), with the Samutiri (Zamorin) of Kozhikode as managing trustee. Arranging a rite is straightforward and done on the spot:
- Go to the temple’s ticket / receipt counter and pay the charge for tharpanam. Reports indicate this is a modest amount — indicatively from around ₹100 — though exact rates vary.
- The temple usually provides the pooja materials needed for the rite, so you generally do not need to bring your own.
- Men traditionally wear a mundu / dhoti (veshti) and take a dip in the river; the rite is then performed in wet clothes on the bank.
- Modest, traditional dress is expected. Carry a change of clothes for after the river bath.
- Affordable accommodation is often available through the temple administration if you are travelling from far.
Charges and rules can change, and Karkidaka Vavu may have special arrangements and longer queues. Please confirm the current cost, timings and procedure directly at the temple counter or with the Malabar Devaswom Board before you travel.
Location and how to reach
The temple is in Thirunavaya village in Malappuram district, roughly 8 km south of Tirur town. General darshan timings are usually about 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on regular days, though hours can differ on festival and Vavu days — confirm locally.
- By train: Thirunavaya railway station is about 2 km away. Tirur (~11 km) and Kuttippuram (~12 km) are the larger nearby stations, with buses and taxis onward to the temple.
- By air: Calicut International Airport is about 43 km away, with taxis and buses available.
- By road: State and private buses run from Kozhikode, Malappuram, Tirur and Thrissur, and taxis are easily arranged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Tirunavaya famous for pitru tharpanam?
The Nava Mukunda Temple stands on the bank of the Bharatapuzha river, which is considered as sacred for ancestral rites as the ghats of Kasi (Varanasi). For this reason it is one of Kerala’s most visited places for bali tharpanam, the shraddha offering made for departed ancestors.
When is the best day to perform bali at Thirunavaya?
Karkidaka Vavu, the new-moon day in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (around July to August), is the most important day, when thousands gather. You can also perform the rite on other amavasya days or on a relative’s anniversary, when the temple is much quieter.
How much does the tharpanam cost and do I need to book?
You pay a small charge at the temple ticket counter on the day, indicatively from around Rs. 100, and the temple usually provides the ritual items. Booking in advance is generally not required for an ordinary day. Because rates change, please confirm the current cost directly at the temple or with the Malabar Devaswom Board.
What should I wear and carry for the ritual?
Men traditionally wear a mundu or dhoti and take a dip in the river before performing the rite in wet clothes. Modest, traditional dress is expected, so carry a change of clothes for after the bath. The temple usually supplies the pooja materials.
