Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli Temple is one of the most ancient temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Kerala. The temple is 3000 years old and is at an altitude of about 3,000 feet in north Wayanad in a valley surrounded by mountains and beautiful forests .Thirunelli is the only temple in the world where the devotees can perform all the rituals related to one's life, starting from birth to death and life after death. Thirunelli serves as a remarkable spiritual tour spot.

The beautiful Brahmagiri hills and the surrounding lush green forests have made the temple premises a valley of tranquility. So everybody feels completely relaxed after sitting in the sanctum of the temple. The temple is an embodiment of ancient temple architecture. The aquaduct that brings water to the temple is also a witness to hundreds of years of history and considered to be an engineering marvel.Thirunelli temple acted as an important pilgrim center in south India during the reign of Bhaskara Ravi Varma, a Chola king during 962-1019 CE.

Thirunelli Temple draws pilgrims from all over, primarily for ancestral rites. The rituals are performed on the banks of the stream Papanasini which flows down from Mount Brahmagiri. It is believed that this stream has divine power to dissolve sins of all the mortals. Another major attraction of the temple is the holy rock where people pray for their forefathers.

The temple is believed to have been built by Lord Brahma.Once when Lord Brahma while traversing the world, saw an idol of Lord Vishnu resting on an amla tree in the valley and thus the place came to be named Thirunelli. In Padma Purana (written by Veda Vyasa) there is mention of a beautiful Vishnu temple located in the picturesque Sahya valley deep in the middle of the forest. Thirunelli temple is also referred to as Amalaka temple and Sidha temple.Legend is that this temple was dedicated by Lord Brahma to propitiate Lord Vishnu. The idol is in the form of Chathurbhuja

Thirunelli temple
Papanasini & Panchatheertham :-Papanasini is a wild stream that originates from the Brahmagiri Hills which later joins River Kalindi.It is believed that River Ganga and River Saraswathi join in Papanasini. Therefore Papanasini is called the Southern Kashi. A ritual dip in Papanasini is believed to wash one away, of all worldly sins committed in a life time. If we immerse the ashes of the dead in Papanasini, it is equivalent to that of doing Karmas(Rituals) in Gaya. At Papanasini there is a sacred rock called Pinnappara where ritual offerings to the spirits of the departed are made (known as bali). It is almost 800 mtrs away from the temple, on its western side. Panchatheertham is the temple pond seen on the temple premises. There is a boulder with the image of a footprint in the middle of the pond and it is called Vishnupada (footprint of Lord Vishnu).

Why Thirunelly Temple visit is different than other temple visits

Thirunelli temple wayanad" Bali Tharpanam " Obeisance at Thirunelli temple is believed to have the power to let the departed souls rest in peace. The ritual is done in batches and it starts with a prayer in front of the temple. The priest and the pilgrims then head towards Papanasini, with the materials for the rites. The pilgrims standing in water then follow the instructions of the priest and thus offer obeisance to their departed dear ones. After that, they take dip in the water. The pilgrims again visit the temple for prayers.The flow of the pilgrims to Thirunelli Temple is not only to offer prayers but also to perform the ancestral rites called Bali. Those who do the rites have to observe penance. In Kerala it is in Thirunelli Temple, the largest number of 'bali tharpana' is being performed everyday.It is believed that Sri Rama and his brother Lakshmana performed the 'pithrukarma' of their father King Dasaratha, standing on this rock.

Panchatheertham - The steps at the back of the temple actually leads to the tank Panchteertham. It is believed that Panchteertham, at one point of time was a meeting point of five rivers. Hence its sacred importance was immense. But today most of the water has dried up and the only remaining attraction is the footsteps of Vishnu, Vishnupad. It is the image of a footprint on a boulder in the middle of the tank.

Gunnika Temple - The Gundika temple nearby too has a tale to tell and according to believers a pilgrim came here and plucked an amla fruit from an amla tree. He left it on the river side to take bath and when he again turned to take it, he saw that the fruit had turned into a Shivalinga.

Thirunelli temple wayanadFestivals in Thirunelly Temple - Puthari, Chuttuvilakku, Navarathri, Shivarathri and Sreekrishnajayanthi are the festivals conducted in this temple.

Rituals and offerings at Thirunelli Temple - Obeisance at Thirunelli temple is believed to have the power to let the departed souls rest in peace. The ritual is done in batches and it starts with a prayer in front of the temple. The priest and the pilgrims then head towards Papanasini, with the materials for the rites. The pilgrims standing in water then follow the instructions of the priest and thus offer obeisance to their departed dear ones. After that, they take dip in the water. The pilgrims again visit the temple for prayers.

Immediately after "deeparadhana' the "Vaadhayaar" (the Priest) will dictate the prayer for all those who have assembled on the step. The performers have to recite this prayer. After the prayer, they have to do "dandanamaskara"(to prostrate, by falling down at full length) before Thirunelli Perumaal and pay the "kaanikka" (offering). With the above, the rituals to be done on the eve of ancestral rites come to a close.

Next day without taking bath, between 6 am and 11 am, the performers have to reach the temple and collect the "bali materials" and "dharbha grass" from the special counter arranged on the northern side of the temple, showing the receipt.

After this, they head to the pond, in the sacred stream called Papanashini, located about half a kilometer away, in the forest. There, it will be waist deep water. Now take the first dip in the water, before the actual ritual starts.

On the bank of the pond stands the "Vaadhyaar" (the priest) who administers the ritual. Pilgrims line in the stream with almost ankle-deep flowing water. The ritual material collected from the temple is placed on the boulder in front, and the priest directs and administers the rituals in sequence.
Then they have to return to main temple after praying to Lord Shiva in the "Gunnika Temple". The rituals come to a close with the reverential circumlocution around the main Temple, worship of the "Perumaal" there and receipt of the "thirmadhura Nivedyam" "theertham" and "Prasaadam". Those who have the statues with them have to return the same in the counter. Even if one fails to reach the temple on the eve, can perform the rites, the same day, provided they arrive the temple before 11 am.

Trisillery Siva temple

Thrissilery Shiva Temple wayanadIt is believed that the performance of ancestral rites at the Thirunelly temple remain incomplete unless followed by offerings at this temple. There is also a shrine devoted to Jala Durga on the premises. The perennial temple is a major attraction here. The architecture of the temple is fascinating.The belief is that the Pinnappara at Thirunelli is a continuous stretch upto Thrissilery. Therefore it has been a practice that those who come to do the ancestral rites at Thirunelli, first visit Thrissilery and make a Vilakkumaala offering there. There exists an old route which traverses Narinirangi Mala to connect with Trissilery 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. That journey was very dangerous and was comparable to the hardships of early Sabarimala pilgrimages. This temple has been well described in the prose and poetic passages of Unniyachi Charitham. In the 41st stanza of Kokila Sandesham also there is description of Thrissilery.

Nearby places to visit

Tholpetty sanctuary and Pakshipathalam are two major tourist spots in the region. While Tholpetty is easier to access, Pakshipathalam is an adventure trek destination that requires prior permission from forest authorities.

Pazhassi monument at Mananthavady town, is the spot where King Pazhassi suicided to escape capture. The monument also has a tiny museum.

The Flower Garden is only a few kms from Mananthavady. Worth visiting if the flowers are in bloom. So check before you go.

How to Reach

Taxi : Taxis and private vehicles are one of the most common means of travel to Wayanad. The most popular route is Bangalore – Mysore – Gundulpet – Munthanga – Sulthan Battery. The roads are in excellent condition.

BUS : Sulthan Batheri is well connected and easily accessible by road

Train : Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 97 km from Sulthan Bathery.

Air : Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, nearly 120 km from Sulthan Bathery.

Others : There are plenty of autorickshaws are available for trips around the wayand district.