Thirunelli Sri Maha Vishnu Temple- Kerala

Address

Thirunelli Sri Maha Vishnu Temple- Thirunelly Temple post, Mananthavady, Kerala 670646

Deity

Sri Maha Vishnu

Introduction

• Location: Thirunelli Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu, located on the Brahmagiri hill in Kerala, near the Karnataka border.
• Setting: Situated at an altitude of 900 meters in north Wayanad, surrounded by mountains and forests, the temple provides a peaceful and serene environment.
• Distance: The temple is 32 km away from Mananthavady.
• Name Origin: The name “Thirunelli” comes from “Nelli,” meaning Indian gooseberry (Amla) in Tamil/Malayalam and Kannada.

Puranic Significance

• Historical Records: There is documentation of the temple being an important pilgrim center during the reign of Chera king Bhaskara Ravi Varma I (962–1019 CE).
• Mention in Puranas: The sage Veda Vyasa mentioned Thirunelli Temple as a Vishnu temple built by Lord Brahma in the picturesque Sahya valley, referred to as “Sahyamalaka Kshetra.”
• Legend of Lord Brahma: According to legend, Brahma, while traveling on his Hamsa Vahana, was attracted by the beauty of Brahmagiri Hill and discovered an idol of Lord Vishnu under an Amla tree. Brahma installed the idol and built the temple, which became known as Sahyamalaka Kshetra.
• Papanasini River: Brahma requested Vishnu to bless the waters of the area to remove sins, leading to the naming of the nearby spring and river as “Papanasini” (which means “washes all sins away”).
• Divine Pooja Belief: Tradition holds that Lord Brahma himself performs Pooja in the early morning hours.
• Parasurama’s Visit: Parasurama, an avatar of Vishnu, is believed to have performed his father’s last rites at the temple and bathed in the Papanasini to absolve his sins.
• Connections to Other Temples: Thirunelli Temple is said to have links with the Kottiyoor Temple and Trissilery Temple, with devotees once undertaking dangerous journeys to visit these holy sites.

Beliefs

• Significance: Thirunelli Temple is a prominent Vishnu temple known for its classical Kerala architecture.
• Rituals: Devotees perform ancestral rites, especially the Pithrukaryam (Thithi) for departed souls, and believe that a dip in the Papanasini stream purifies them of worldly sins.

Special Features

• Brahma’s Construction: The temple is believed to have been constructed by Lord Brahma himself.
• Complex Layout: The temple complex is spread over 1.03 acres, featuring structures like the Sreekovil, Namaskara Mandapam, Chuttambalam, Agra-Mandapam, Deepa Sthambham, Daivathara Mandapam, and Pinda Theertham with Agrasala.
• Granite Columns: The shrine is supported by 30 granite columns, and the ground is paved with large granite slabs.

Festivals

• Vishu Festival: Celebrated on the 1st of Medam (April), this two-day festival is famous for Kolkali performances by the Kuruma tribe.
• Chuttuvilakku: Celebrated on the 18th of Dhanu (January), where the temple is illuminated with lamps.
• Prathista Dinam: Held in the Aswathy asterism of Meenam (March-April), celebrating the day the idol was installed.
• Bali Tharpanam: Rituals for departed souls are conducted during the Malayalam months of Thulam (October-November), Edavam (May-June), and Karkitakam (July-August).
• Main Attractions: Vishu Festival and Bali Tharpanam rituals are the primary attractions of the temple.

Century/Period/Age

962–1019 CE

Managed By

Malabar Devaswom Board

Nearest Bus Station

Thirunelli

Nearest Railway Station

Mysore Station

Nearest Airport

Kannur

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