At the end of the rule of Perumals, the right of Mamankam was with Vellattiri, the ruler of Valluvanad. Later the Zamorin of Kozhikode, took this right by force and this resulted in dispute and bloodshed between these two Rajas. Valluvanad Raja used to send Chaver warriors to fight until death, to recapture the right from the Zamorin, who would stand poised at Nilapadu thara in Thriunavaya, surrounded by a large contingent of soldiers, in every 12th year. The last of such Mamankam, was believed to be held in 1755, when Zamorin had an hair-breath escape from a chaver aged 16. The emperor Tippusulthan was stopped the Mamankam because of the cruelty behind.

The Nilapaduthara, now in the premises of Kodakkal Tile Factory, is protected by the Archeological department. A deep well called Manikkinar, believed to be dumped with bodies. The famous vedic Vidyalaya Othanmar Madom of ancient times, is on the bank of Bharathapuzha, near the Siva Temple. This madom was a centre of Aryanisation through Sanskrit and Vedic education, as Thirunavaya was believed to be the main centre, where Parasurama brought and settled Brahmins.

The Palace (Mana) of Puranic fame Azhvanchery Thamprakkal is 2 kms. north of Thirunnavaya. Navamunkuda Temple, believed to be constructed by Nava yogis on the right bank of Bharathapuzha, is an important Vishnu temple of Kerala. Pitru Tharpanam is a ritual, held here on the day of Amavasi of Karkidaka(July). Balikarma is offered by people in their wet clothes, after a dip in the river, for the salvation of sins and to appease the manes.

A marital art festival of Kalripayattu, is conducted during summer on the sands of dry Bharathapuzha. The famous Changampalli Kalari, is near Thirunavaya. During the second week of February a Sarvodaya Mela is conducted in Thirunavaya where the Gandhians of Kerala, use to assemble. The Santikudeeram established by the national leader K. Kelappan, is the centre place of this mela.

Famous poet Melputhoor Narayana Bhattapathar was born at Melputhoor Illam, located 3.5 km from Thirunavaya, on the northern banks of Nila River, (Bharathapuzha River).

Thirunavaya is one of the very few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator God of Hindu mythology.