Thirunavaya

The Kaveri-delta river-town at Thirunavaya in Malappuram district, Kerala, on the Bharathapuzha river — the historic site of the Mamankam, a 28-day pan-Keralan festival held every 12 years from the 7th century to 1755, bringing together the Chera-period rulers of all Kerala for ritual sports, warrior competitions and political assembly. The Mamankam was held at the Thirunavaya Nava Mukunda Vishnu temple (one of the 108 Divya Desams) on the river's southern bank. The Mamankam continued through the Zamorin period (14-18th century) under the Zamorins of Calicut's hegemony. The 1755 Mamankam was the last; Tipu Sultan's 1788 Malabar invasion ended the tradition. The Chaver suicide warriors of the Mamankam (challenging the Zamorin's throne-right) are central to Kerala's martial memory. ASI partial protection; Thirunavaya is a working pilgrimage.