Thirunelli Sree Mahavishnu Temple
During the time of Chera king Bhaskara Ravi Varma, Tirunelli was a prominent town in South India and the Tirunelli temple was the main gateway. Legend has it that until recently, the zodiac sign engraved with the twelve zodiac signs was obtained from here after the new rain.
The temple is associated with the historical event of the loss of the hunter king of Wayanad. Kumbalamaipadi, in the northernmost part of Kerala, came to Tirunelli with the entourage of the prince of the country for temple darshan. The handsome prince was taken prisoner by the hunter king of Wayanad and brought inside the fort of Veliyabam and demanded that he marry his daughter. The prince agreed to marry the Kumari if the ceremony was according to Kshatriya rituals. Meanwhile, King Kumbala had heard the news of the prince's imprisonment. He sought the help of the Kottayam Kurumbranadu kings. So they arrived in Wayanad, killed the Vedaraja and freed the prince.In gratitude for their help, King Kumbala distributed the administration of Wayanad to the kings of Kottayam and Kurumbranad. Later, Wayanad came under the control of the King of Kottayam. Tirunelli Temple has an inseparable connection with the course of Wayanad history. Historians have not been able to definitively tell the age of the holy and ancient Sri Tirunelli Temple. In any case, from the available historical remains, historians have made it clear that there was a cultured and rich population here centuries ago.
It has been mentioned earlier that it is not possible to say exactly about the age of Sri Tirunelli Temple, which is famous throughout India by various names such as Amalakakshetra, South Kashi and Dakshinagaya.
Sri Tirunelli Temple is full of legends as well as Puranas. It is important in the legends that the Tirunelli temple was consecrated by Brahma himself, the first of the Trimurtis. It is believed that Brahma performed the Yaga in the unpaved area of the temple which is still visible today. Brahmagiri got its name because it was touched by the feet of Lord Brahma.
Location
Brahmagiri
Main Deity
Lord Vishnu
Other Deities
Bhagvathi, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganapathi
Festivals
Vishu, Prathishtadinam, Puthari, Chuttuvilakku, Dhanu Masam Thiruvadira, Shiva Ratri (Kumba Masam Thiruvonam Nakshtram), Vrishchigam Thrikarthikka, Vavvu Bali, Bhoothathine Paranjuayakal
Main Offerings
Appa Nivedhyam, Ashtothara Satha Pushpanjali, Chandhanam Charthu, Deepasthambham Theliyikal, Enna Vilaku (Oil Lamp), Koottu Payasam, Malar Nivedhyam, Nalikera Nivedhyam, Neyyu Vilaku Oppikkal (Signing Of The Oil Lamp), Pal Payasam, Pana Payasam, Pithru Pooja, Poo Maala, Sahasranamarchana, Sanghabhishekam, Sooktha Pushpanjali, Thila Homam, Vana Maala, Vella Nivedhyam, Vilakku Maala
How To Reach
Mananthavadi is the nearest town to Tirunelli. The distance from here to Tirunelli is 32 km. Many bus services exist on this route today. On the road to Mysore, take a left at Kattikulam and then the road to the temple passes through reserved forest areas.