Thirunelli Temple, Wayanad

The Thriunelli Maha Vishnu Temple is located in the north Wayanad area amidst the mountains and forest. Devotees can perform all rituals related to life and ancestral rites together only in this temple. It is believed that Lord Brahma had placed the Lord Vishnu idol in this temple. This temple is also known as ‘Sahyamala Kshetram’ and ‘Kashi of south’. Large number of people gathers here on daily basis to offer the ancestral rites of their deceased relatives. The temple timing is 5.30am to 12pm and then 5.30pm to 8pm. People are advised to reach on the eve of the ancestral rite to the temple to take part in some rituals. If a person is performing the rites all alone then it is called ‘Oraalpindam’ or else ‘Kootupindam’. Receipt has to be obtained from the temple authorities for the rituals by paying the amount in advance. In the evening persons taking part in the rituals has to gather in the temple step after bath. Just after the ‘deeparadhana’ the priest recites a prayer for all to repeat. Then dandanamaskaram (to lie down in front of the deity in full length) and kaanikka (offering) has to be made in front of the deity. Next day morning between 6am to 11am before bath people should collect the materials to perform the bali (ancestral rites) from the temple and reach the Papanashini stream just ½ km from the temple. They should take a dip in the water and follow the instructions of the priest administering the function on the spot. On the way back to temple people should pray to Lord Shiva at the ‘Gunnika temple’. Then take a round of the main temple and collect the prasadam from the priest. The nearby Thrissilery temple is associated with Thirunelli temple and the ancestral rite is complete only with the ‘Vilakkumala Vazhipaad’ done at the Thrissilery temple. Thirunelli temple is accessible only through road. People can reach here from Bangalore and Mysore through Mananthavady area or else through Calicut. Calicut railway station is 137kms and Mysore railway station is 121kms away from the temple. Karipur at Calicut is the nearest airport and the travel distance is 161kms. The temple is surrounded by forest area with wild animals. Elephants, bison, spotted deer and peacocks can be sighted in the journey. Pakshipathalam is a famous trekking centre near the Thirunelli temple at a distance of 10kms.

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