Navamukunda Temple

Navamukunda is an ancient temple situated on the banks of Bharath River in Thirunavaya. The place Thirunavaya is a small village, which is also considered as a pilgrimage centre. The predominant deity of the temple is Navamukundan Vishnu, which exists along with the idols of other deities namely Lord Ganapathy and Goddess Lakshmi. The deity of the temple got its name Nava Mukunda, since it was the ninth idol, set up in the temple by a group of nine saints called Navayogis. According to the mythology, the first eight idols set up by them disappeared and the ninth one was already sunk to its knees, which was stopped by chanting mantras. Navamukunda Temple is considered as the major Vishnu temple in Kerala. A ritual called 'Pithru Tharpanam' is held here on the day of 'Amavasi' and Karkitaka