Thirunavaya Mamankam Memorial

The Thirunavaya Mamankam Memorial commemorates the historic Mamankam festival, a grand medieval assembly held once every twelve years on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River. The site features Nilapadu Thara, a raised laterite platform where the Zamorin rulers stood during the festival. This protected monument represents centuries of Kerala's political, cultural, and trade history.

Visitors can see the Nilapadu Thara, a rectangular stone platform made of granite and laterite blocks spread over approximately one thousand square feet. The site is located within the premises of the Kodakkal Tile Factory and is designated as a protected monument by the Kerala State Archaeology Department. The area offers views of the surrounding landscape near the Bharathapuzha River.

Mamankam was a duodecennial medieval fair held on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River at Thirunavaya. The festival lasted for 28 days and involved ceremonies, rituals, and political contests. The Zamorin rulers of Kozhikode would stand on Nilapadu Thara to display their power and face challenges from warriors known as Chavers. The tradition ceased approximately 270 years ago due to historical changes. The site is now protected by the Kerala State Archaeology Department since 2007.

Mamankam was considered one of medieval Kerala's most significant cultural events and trade fairs, attended by rulers from various regions. The festival represented Kerala's civilizational memory and featured traders arriving via ships and barges through the river. The site holds profound religious, historical, and cultural importance for the region.