Situated on the northern bank of Bharatappuzha (River Ponnani/Nila or Perar), it is one of the major Hindu pilgrimage centres in Kerala.

The village, situated on the fertile river basin, must have been one of the most prominent Brahmin settlement in Kerala.

[2] Tirunavaya also hosted the Mamankam, a type of medieval temple festival with huge political significance, in every 12 years.

On Karkitaka vavu (amavasi), Hindus from different part of northern Kerala travel to the temple, to perform the Pitrkriya (bali tarpana) seeking moksha for their ancestors.

Mamankam festival was held once every 12 years at Tirunavaya, Kerala on the banks of the river Bharathappuzha