Thirunelli Temple

2021-12-23T05:23:31Z

2409:4073:12:9228:0:0:98:18A0: Changed name of district from "Brahmagiri" to "Wayanad".

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Thirunelli Temple
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
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| map_caption =
| coordinates =
| country = India
| state = [[Kerala]]
| district = [[Wayanad (hill)|Wayanad]]
| location = Brahmagiri
| elevation_m =
| deity = Lord [[Maha Vishnu]]
| year_completed =
| architecture =
| creator =
| website =
}}
[[File:TitunelliTemple.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:Thirunelly Temple.JPG|thumb|Thirunelli Temple front view]]

'''Thirunelli Temple''' (also ''Tirunelli'') is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord [[Maha Vishnu]] on the side of [[Brahmagiri (hill)|Brahmagiri]] hill in [[Kerala]], India, near the border with [[Karnataka]] state. The temple is at an altitude of about 900m in north [[Wayanad]] in a valley surrounded by mountains and beautiful forests. It is 32 km away from [[Manathavady]].

== History ==
No proper records of the exact dates of establishment of temple exist, though it is beyond dispute, that Thirunelli was once an important town and pilgrim center in the middle of an inaccessible jungle valley surrounded by mountains on four sides . There exists [http://thirunellitemple.com/history.php documentary proof] that Thirunelli at the time of Chera king [[Bhaskara Ravi Varma I]] (962–1019 [[Common Era|CE]]) was an important town and pilgrim center in South India{{Fact|date=January 2015}}. In the dense jungles surrounding temple, the ruins of two ancient villages can be found. Noted historian V. R. Parameswaran Pillai in his book ''Thirunelli Documents'' states that this temple was once an integral part of the early recorded history of Kerala.

=== Mention in Puranas and folklore ===
The name ''Thirunelli'' derives from the ''nelli'', the [[Tamil language|Tamil]]/[[Malayalam]] word for [[Indian gooseberry]] of the [[Indian gooseberry|Amla]] tree. Veda vyasa wrote the 18 existing [[Purana]]s. The [[Matsya Purana]], [[Skanda Purana]], [[Narasimha Purana]], [[Padma Purana]], and many other Puranas and [[Hindu]] texts mention the beautiful Vishnu temple as being built by Lord [[Brahma]], located in the picturesque Sahya valley, deep in the middle of forest of unmatchable beauty, and in these texts, it is referred to as "Sahyamalaka Kshetra."<ref>http://www.kamakotimandali.com/misc/thirunelli.html</ref> According to tradition, Lord [[Brahma]] was traveling round the Universe on his [[Hamsa bird|hamsa]], when he became attracted by the beauty of the area now known as [[Brahmagiri (hill)|Brahmagiri Hill]]. Descending on that spot, [[Brahma]] noticed an idol, set in an Amla tree. [[Brahma]] recognized the idol as Lord [[Vishnu]] Himself and the place as [[Vaikuntha]] (Vishnuloka) itself.<ref>http://www.eastrovedica.net/?p=227</ref><ref>{{Cite news
| last = Rema Devi R. Tondaiman
| title = A mystic journey
| access-date = 2014-11-02
| date = 2002-07-07
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2002/07/07/stories/2002070700270800.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050502170522/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2002/07/07/stories/2002070700270800.htm
| url-status = dead
| work = [[The Hindu]]
| archive-date = 2005-05-02
}}</ref> With the help of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]], [[Brahma]] installed the idol and called it Sahyamalak Kshetra. At [[Brahma]]’s request [[Vishnu]] promised that the waters of the area would wash away all sins. (Thus, the spring and river near the temple is called Papanasini: "washes away all sins").

Even today the head priest of the temple leaves a portion of the worship materials in the belief that Lord Brahma Himself will come and perform pooja rites deep in the holy hours of morning.

The famous incarnation of Lord Vishnu [[Parasurama]] is reputed to have visited Thirunelli and performed last rites of his father sage [[Jamadagni]]. He also took immersion in the Papanasini to wipe away sins committed in killing Kshatriyas.

== Relation with other temples and legends ==
[[Kottiyoor]] Temple and Trisillery temple are inextricably linked with legends and folklore to Thirunelli temple. There exists an old route which traverses Narinirangi Mala to connect with Trissilery Maha Deva Lord [[Shiva|Siva]] temple. In earlier days, all devotees who visited Trissilery used to undertake the arduous crossing of Narinirangi mala to pay respect to Lord Vishnu and Brahma at Thirunelli. The journey was fraught with danger and might have been comparable to hardships of early Sabarimala pilgrimages.

== Surroundings ==
===[[Papanasini stream]]===
Emanating from the heart of Brahmagiri forest flowing through roots, leaves and flowers of ancient trees and medicinal herbs, Papanasini is a holy mountain stream accessible around 1 km northwest of the temple premises. Pilgrims bathe here as they consider its waters to be sacred with powers to absolve one's sins. Further, the temple offers services to immerse cremation ashes in the sacred mountain stream to be thus carried to Kaveri River and from there to the ocean. This is a part of the last rites.<ref>[http://thirunellitemple.com/importance.php Thirunelli Maha Vishnu Temple: Papanasini], Kerala</ref>

===Panchatheertham===
[[File:Thirunelli Temple Pond - Panchatheertham.jpg|thumb|Panchatheertham - the holy temple pond.]]

Panchatheertham is the holy temple pond. One notable feature of the temple is the lack of a temple well. Hence water is transported from a perennial mountain stream deep in the valley by impressive stone aqueducts right into the priests' room. Thirunelli is famous as the destination to perform last rites of the deceased at the rock close to Papa nasini stream.

==Renovation==
Parts of the temple including sanctum sanctorum is being renovated. Renovation activities can be seen on one side of the temple where sculpted stones and beautiful wood carvings are under preparation.
==Access==
The temple lies at an altitude of 3000 feet and can be reached by driving through three wild life sanctuaries. Thirunelli Temple can be accessed from Mananthavady or Kalpetta. The Periya ghat road connects Mananthavady to Kannur and Thalassery. The Thamarassery mountain road connects Calicut with Kalpetta. The Kuttiady mountain road connects Vatakara with Kalpetta and Mananthavady. The Palchuram mountain road connects Kannur and Iritty with Mananthavady. The road from Nilambur to Ooty is also connected to Wayanad through the village of Meppadi. There are KSRTC Buses Connecting Thirunelli Temple one important service is
Vaikom Temple <<>> Thirunelli Temple Limited Stop Fast Passenger, Connecting Piravom - Kolenchery - Perumbavoor - Thrissur - Kozhikode - Mananthawady - kalpetta.

The nearest railway station is at Mysore and the nearest airports are [[Kozhikode International Airport]]-120 km, [[Coimbatore International Airport]]-242 km, [[Bengaluru International Airport]]-290 km, and [[Kannur International Airport]], 58 km.

==See also==
* [[Appapara]]
* [[Thirunelly]]
* [[Palvelicham]]
* [[Valliyoorkkavu]]

==References==
{{commonscat}}
{{reflist}}
{{Wayanad district}}
{{Coord|11|54|42|N|75|59|45|E|display=title|region:IN_type:landmark_source:google-earth}}

{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}
{{Wayanad}}
[[Category:Hindu temples in Wayanad district]]
[[Category:Vishnu temples]]
[[Category:Mananthavady Area]]

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Thirunelli Temple