Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu, located in Thirunelli village in Wayanad District, Kerala, on the foothills of Brahmagiri Hills surrounded by dense forest. Revered as Sahyamala Kshetram and Dakshina Kashi, it is known for its traditional Kerala temple architecture, stone structure, and the sacred Papanasini stream nearby where pilgrims perform ancestral rites.

Visitors can expect a serene forest temple setting at about 900 meters elevation amid Brahmagiri Hills. The complex features a stone-built shrine with tiled roofs, a sanctum dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and a small shrine for Lord Shiva. The sacred Papanasini stream flows nearby where rituals are performed. The surroundings are wooded and tranquil, with views of hills, temple ponds, and pathways through forest. Visitors can explore the main temple courtyard, offer prayers, and walk to the stream area.

Thirunelli Temple is considered one of the oldest temples in Kerala, with tradition attributing its establishment to Lord Brahma. It is mentioned in ancient Puranas as Sahyamala Kshetram. The temple is built in classic Kerala style with stone construction and is believed to have been patronized by Chera and later local rulers. No definitive inscriptional date is established, but its antiquity is widely recognized in regional history.

The temple is a major pilgrimage center for devotees of Lord Vishnu and is known as Dakshina Kashi. It is especially significant for performing bali tharpanam, ancestral rites, on the banks of the Papanasini stream, believed to absolve sins. The temple is an important cultural landmark for Wayanad and is associated with traditional rituals, festivals, and forest-based sacred geography.