Thirunelli kshethram - 1.

Thirunelli kshethram.

           Wayanad district is situated on the northern side of Kerala.  The place is mostly of mountains and thick forests. Rubber, cardamom, coffee. pepper and other high range products are the main crops here. Thirunelli temple is situated deep inside the forest in the midst of the wild life sanctuary. Except for lions almost all wild animals are found in the forests.  It is connected to the outside world only with a tar road. Thirunelli is a great temple of Lord Vishnu.  Nobody knows exactly its age. Researchers need to find out. It is supposed to be very old anyway. 

Thirunelli forests

            4 main factors of Papanashini, Pakshipathalam or Rishipathalam, Kalindi, Thrishileri constitute Thirunelli. Kalindi is said to be a branch of Kaveri and so derived this name. Papanashini stream mingles with Kalindi. Here in Papanashini the rituals for the deceased is done. People mostly come to this temple for that purpose only. Pakshipathalam is a chain of caves situated about 7 kms above Thirunelli temple. The caves are inhabited by numerous bats which hang upside down on the roof of the caves.  The birds are said to be some Rishis doing penance. Some say that the athmas which get relieved by the rituals done there reside in the caves happily. Thrishileri is a great Siva temple which was supposed to be in Thirunelli even before the Vishnu temple came into existence. When Vaishnavam started flourishing the temple of Thrishileri was shifted to its present location giving way for Lord Maha Vishnu. 

The eastern side of the temple.

       Legends say that once while Brahma was going around the world on his 'Hamsa vahana', he was very much attracted by the beauty of this place.  He wondered at the never before seen natural beauty of the place and landed on Brahmagiri peak. He sat there in meditation to find out the reason for the attraction this place had, and felt the powerful presence of Vaishnava chaithanyam all over there. He discovered a Vishnu deity in an 'amla' (goose berry) tree in a place surrounded by divine trees. He could hear an ashareeri telling him to install the deity in that place. Induced by the divine command Brahma installed the deity ritualistically. Many devas and Rishis like Narada witnessed that. Pleased with that Bhagavan appeared before Brahma and gave him a boon that He would be present in that place forever and there would be no place equal to this temple which was installed by Brahma himself.  He also promised that those who visit this place and worship will be benefited immensely. 

'shree sahyaamalaka kshethre sakrith pinda pradhaanena

gayaa shraadha phalam yathath, labhathe naanyathra samsayam.'

          According to another legend Sri Parasurama after killing his mother and brothers while roaming around came here to do pithru karmas and became free from sins. It is also said that Sri Rama during his vanavasa reached Brahmagiri in search of Seetha matha. He also did the shradha rituals for his father here. People do the shradha rituals at Papanashini. 

        (Papanashini where the shradha karmas are done)

Long flight of stairs lead to the temple from all sides. The bus stops at the western side of the temple where the devaswom building of accommodation is situated. From the north we have to climb down the steps and proceed towards Papanashini theertha. On the northern side also we can see a flight of steps leading down from the temple.

     Any temple will have a well of its own for its need of water. But Thirunelli temple is an exception in this matter. Water for abhisheka and puja needs are brought in to the temple from forest springs deep inside through stone pathways which are called 'kal pathis'.  It is a wonder even today water is brought in to the temple through these 'kal pathis'. The water tastes heavenly. 

 

(Kalpathis from the deep forests bringing water)

A pipe is connected to the end of the stone path way leading to the temple and water is collected through a tap inside the temple. Beautiful stone 'mandapams' are seen on the western side of the temple. They seem to be on the verge of destruction. 

 ( The beautiful stone mandapam )

     The deity is 'chaturbhuja maha Vishnu', holding  shankhu, chakram, gada, and padmam. The Lord is indeed very charming. He is mostly covered with garlands except His face. So it is a great feast to see Him during Nirmalya darsan and the abhishekam which follows. It is believed that since Brahma installed the deity, he comes daily to perform his Puja there. So when the Nampoothiri closes the sanctum at night he removes all the garlands on the deity and keeps a fresh set of flowers etc for Brahma. Usually in all other temples the 'alankaram' is left as such during night and is removed after 'nirmalya darsan'. Thirunelli is the only place where it is topsy turvy. We will be back with more news of Thirunelli soon. Radhekrishna!