Thirunelli Temple

Introduction to the Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli Temple is the oldest temple situated on the Brahmagiri Hills in Wayanad, Kerala. It is 900 meters above sea level. The presiding deity is Sri Maha Vishnu. It is not just a place for pilgrims but equally a place for bird lovers and trekkers. It is otherwise called 'Kasi of South' and 'Sahyamala Kshetram.' The Thirunelli Temple lies atop a hill surrounded by mountains and dense forests on four sides.

It draws pilgrims from Kerala and other states, mainly for ancestral rites. This is the only temple in the world where one can perform all rituals related to one's life. The Thirunelli Temple is 30 km from the nearest city of Mananthavady.

Legend of the Thirunelli Temple

According to the temple legend, Brahma was searching for the right spot to perform a Yagna to cleanse himself of the sin of creating the Universe. He reached a beautiful valley bounded by mountains and decided to perform his Yagna there. Brahma created a lake, now called Papanasini, and a small shrine for Vishnu. After the completion of the Yagna, he installed a Shiva lingam there. Taking a holy dip in the Papanasini is believed to wash away the sins of humans. As per folklore, Brahma took a butterfly form and flew to the top of the mountain to perform penance.

The Architecture of the Thirunelli Temple

The temple was built before the 10th century AD. People can see inscriptions in the temple about the Chera King, Bhaskara Varma, who ruled during the 10th century AD.

The Thirunelli Temple features the simple yet enchanting Kerala style of architecture. A tile roof structure covers the sanctum sanctorum. Around the sanctorum, a courtyard is seen. In the temple's east entrance, people can see a granite lamp post. Though the flag post is not there, the hole where it was once placed remains in the same place. Cubical-style granite pillars decorate the outer wall of the temple. But, its unfinished appearance confirms that the temple's renovation was paused in the middle by Vellattiri, the region's king then.

The deity blesses his devotees from the east as Chathurbhuja with four hands and holds Shanku and Chakra in two hands. Other deities, Ganapati, Hanuman, and Nagam, have separate shrines. Brahma Deva established the idol of Vishnu here. He found the idol of Vishnu under a gooseberry tree (amla), locally known as Nelli. Thus, it received the name 'Thirunelli Temple.'

Another interesting element of the temple is the stone aqueduct. When Chirackal Raja's wife found the temple running out of water, she set up the duct. A stream inside the Varaha forest sourced water to the duct. The unique point of the duct is that it still provides cold, gushing, clear water to the pilgrims from the hills.

Panchatheertham is the temple pond. The pond is behind the temple, with stairs to reach it. The pond is the meeting point of five rivers; that's how it earned the name. It is mostly dried out in the summer season. A big rock in the middle of the pond has an imprinted foot of Vishnu.

Another major attraction of the Thirunelli Temple is the holy rock. People pray for their forefathers at this place. Devotees can find a cave temple Gunnika on the western side of the temple where they can worship Shiva. Thus, Thirunelli Temple becomes blessed by the unique presence of the Hindu Trinity.

Unniyachi Charitham, a compilation of poems, contains a detailed description of the Thirunelli Temple.

Foreigners also showed great interest in the Thirunelli Temple. Mr. William Logan, a Scottish officer of the Madras Civil Service under the British Government, wrote about the temple in his book, "Malabar Manual," in 1887.

Festivals in Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli Mahotsavam is an annual festival celebrated in the Thirunelli Temple in April. This seven-day festival includes several cultural programs, religious ceremonies, and processions.

Vishu (Malayala New Year), Ashtami Rohini (birthday of Krishna), Navratri, and Deepavali are celebrated here.

Benefits of Worshipping at Thirunelli Temple

The temple is also known for conducting special rituals and Poojas for ancestors. Pilgrims strongly believe that performing the rituals pacifies their ancestral souls and grants them peace. Interesting Facts about the Thirunelli Temple

The Thirunelli Temple is well-known for its natural spring, Papanasini, which is believed to have the power to cleanse human sins. It has a sacred rock called Pinnappara, where people perform ritual offerings to the spirits of the departed. It is 800 meters away from the temple premises.

The stream flows from the Brahmagiri hills and is believed to possess medicinal properties that can cure skin and other diseases. As River Ganga and River Saraswati join in Papanasini, it is called Southern Kasi.