Thirunelli
temple is one of the most ancient temples in Kerala. It is also known as ''Sahyamala Kshetram'' and ''Kashi of the South''. The
Temple is located at an altitude of about 900m in north Wayanad in a valley
encircled by mountains and beautiful forests. The temple faces east where sun
rises over the Udayagiri range.
A
short walk from Thirunelli temple leads one to the clear mountain spring known
as Papanasini. Pakshipathalam, an interesting sightseeing centre, is about 10kms away from here. Papanasini,
the mountain stream spread out from the heart of Brahmagiri is about 1km away
from the temple.
It is believed that Papanasini stream has divine power to suspend
sins of all the mortals. A unique specialty of the temple is the holy rock where people pray for their forefathers.To
the west side of the temple is the cave temple Gunnika, dedicated to Lord
Shiva. Thus Thirunelli is blessed by the unique presence of all the members of
the trinity.
In the temple premises there is a temple pond
which is named as Panchatheertham. There is a boulder with the image of a
footprint in the middle of the pond and it is called Vishnupada which is
believed to be footprint of Lord Vishnu.
