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{{Short description|Temple in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox temple
{{Infobox temple
| name              = Thirunelli Temple
| name              = Thirunelli Temple
| image              =  
| image              = Thirunelli Temple, Brahmagiri 2007.jpg
| alt                =  
| alt                =  
| caption            =  
| caption            =  
| map_type          =  
| map_type          = India Kerala
| map_caption        =
| map_caption        = Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple, [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], [[Kerala]]
| coordinates        =  
| coordinates        = {{coord|11.91173|75.99583|format=dms|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country            = India
| country            = {{flag|India}}
| state              = [[Kerala]]
| state              = [[Kerala]]
| district          = [[Wayanad (hill)|Wayanad]]
| district          = [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]]
| location          = Brahmagiri
| location          = [[Brahmagiri (Karnataka)|Brahmagiri]]
| elevation_m        =  
| elevation_m        = 890.02
| deity              = Lord [[Maha Vishnu]]
| deity              = Lord [[Maha Vishnu]]
| year_completed    =  
| year_completed    =  
| architecture      =  
| architecture      =
| temple_quantity        = One
| creator            =  
| creator            =  
| website            =  
| website            =  
}}
}}
[[File:TitunelliTemple.jpg|thumb]]
 
[[File:Thirunelly Temple.JPG|thumb|Thirunelli Temple front view]]
[[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]].
'''Thirunelli Temple''' (also spelled ''Tirunelli'') is an ancient temple dedicated to [[Maha Vishnu]] on the side of [[Brahmagiri (hill)|Brahmagiri]] hill in [[Kerala]], India, near the border with [[Karnataka]] state. The temple is classified one among the '''108 [[Abhimana Kshethram]]''' of [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavate]] tradition. The temple is at an altitude of about 900m in north [[Wayanad]] in a valley surrounded by mountains and forests. It is 32&nbsp;km away from [[Manathavady]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Praveen |first1=V |title=Thirunelli Temple Darshan Guide Timings, Entry Fee, Online Booking |url=https://gokshetra.com/thirunelli-temple-darshan-guide/ |website=Gokshetra |publisher=Gokshetra |access-date=17 April 2023}}</ref>
 
The temple lies at an altitude of 3000 feet


== History ==
== 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.
=== In Puranas and folklore ===
 
The name ''Thirunelli'' derives from the ''nelli'', the [[Tamil language|Tamil]]/[[Malayalam]] word for [[Indian gooseberry]] of the Amla tree. The [[Matsya Purana]], [[Skanda Purana]], [[Narasimha Purana]] and [[Padma Purana]], said the Vishnu temple was built by [[Brahma]], in the Sahya valley and in these texts, it is referred to as "Sahyamalaka Kshetra."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kamakotimandali.com/misc/thirunelli.html |title=Sahyamalaka Kshetra |website=www.kamakotimandali.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627133323/http://www.kamakotimandali.com/misc/thirunelli.html |archive-date=2009-06-27}}</ref> According to tradition, 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 [[Vishnu]] himself and the place as [[Vaikuntha]] (Vishnuloka) itself.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eastrovedica.net/?p=227 |title=Unknown Spiritual Spots - Tirunelli - A mystic journey at Transcendental Wisdom Blog- about the Science of the Absolute and psychic sciences of the Intuitive Mind |access-date=21 February 2009 |archive-date=23 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623044444/http://www.eastrovedica.net/?p=227 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
=== 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
| last = Rema Devi R. Tondaiman
| title = A mystic journey
| title = A mystic journey
Line 39: Line 41:
| work = [[The Hindu]]
| work = [[The Hindu]]
| archive-date = 2005-05-02
| 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").
}}</ref>
 
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&nbsp;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&nbsp;km, [[Coimbatore International Airport]]-242&nbsp;km, [[Bengaluru International Airport]]-290&nbsp;km, and  [[Kannur International Airport]], 58&nbsp;km.


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{commonscat}}
{{commons category}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Wayanad district}}
{{Wayanad district}}
{{Coord|11|54|42|N|75|59|45|E|display=title|region:IN_type:landmark_source:google-earth}}
{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}
{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}
{{Wayanad}}
{{Wayanad}}
[[Category:Abhimana temples of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Vishnu temples in Kerala]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Wayanad district]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Wayanad district]]
[[Category:Vishnu temples]]
[[Category:Mananthavady Area]]
[[Category:Mananthavady Area]]

Latest revision as of 09:02, 24 January 2026


Thirunelli Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictWayanad
DeityLord Maha Vishnu
Location
LocationBrahmagiri
StateKerala
Country India
Thirunelli Temple is located in Kerala
Thirunelli Temple
Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple, Wayanad, Kerala
Coordinates11°54′42″N 75°59′45″E / 11.91173°N 75.99583°E / 11.91173; 75.99583
Specifications
TempleOne
Elevation890.02 m (2,920 ft)
Thirunelli Temple front view

Thirunelli Temple (also spelled Tirunelli) is an ancient temple dedicated to Maha Vishnu on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Kerala, India, near the border with Karnataka state. The temple is classified one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition. The temple is at an altitude of about 900m in north Wayanad in a valley surrounded by mountains and forests. It is 32 km away from Manathavady.[1]

The temple lies at an altitude of 3000 feet

History[edit | edit source]

In Puranas and folklore[edit | edit source]

The name Thirunelli derives from the nelli, the Tamil/Malayalam word for Indian gooseberry of the Amla tree. The Matsya Purana, Skanda Purana, Narasimha Purana and Padma Purana, said the Vishnu temple was built by Brahma, in the Sahya valley and in these texts, it is referred to as "Sahyamalaka Kshetra."[2] According to tradition, Brahma was traveling round the Universe on his hamsa, when he became attracted by the beauty of the area now known as Brahmagiri Hill. Descending on that spot, Brahma noticed an idol, set in an Amla tree. Brahma recognized the idol as Vishnu himself and the place as Vaikuntha (Vishnuloka) itself.[3][4]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Praveen, V. "Thirunelli Temple Darshan Guide Timings, Entry Fee, Online Booking". Gokshetra. Gokshetra. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  2. ↑ "Sahyamalaka Kshetra". www.kamakotimandali.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009.
  3. ↑ "Unknown Spiritual Spots - Tirunelli - A mystic journey at Transcendental Wisdom Blog- about the Science of the Absolute and psychic sciences of the Intuitive Mind". Archived from the original on 23 June 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  4. ↑ Rema Devi R. Tondaiman (7 July 2002). "A mystic journey". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 May 2005. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
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