Wetlands in Tirunavaya and adjacent areas like Edakkulam, Valiyaparappu are one of the major lotus farms in Kerala. History of lotus farming in this area dates back to the Zamorion era. Navamukunda temple in Tirunavaya is one of the 108 Divya Desams (Vishnu – Lakshmi). Lotus flowers are important offerings in Navamukunda temple. Navamukunda was the family diety of Samoothiri (Zamorion of Kozhikode) and under the patronage of King Samoothiri, lotus farming began and spread throughout the vast wetlands of Tirunavaya, Kuttippuram, Athavanad and Thrippangod panchayaths.
Lotus farming has been the main profile of Tirunavaya which was also the land of “Mamankam” a duodecennial trade festival that took place on the northern bank of Bharathappuzha. More than 800 acres of wetlands are under cultivation of lotus flowers. Lotus farming is a symbol of religious harmony and most of the cultivators are from Muslim community. Flowers plucked are transported to different temples in Kerala. Guruvayoor temple in Thrissur, Kadampuzha temple in Malappuram are the major buyers from Kerala. Flowers are transported to even outside of Kerala. Tirunavaya lotus has an edge in size, colour and smell when compared to flowers in other parts of Kerala. It has always been in high demand than others.
Codacal, Valiya Parappu, Cheriya Parappu, Edakkulam are main areas where lotus are widely cultivated.
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