Thirunelli kshethram - 2
Radhekrishna! Thirunelli derived its name from the presence of 'amla' trees all around the place. With the passing of time 'amla' trees also started disappearing. Now we cannot see even one tree in the vicinity. In the forest area many 'adivasi' groups live. Their main source of income is collecting forest products such as honey, medicinal herbs, roots, amla fruits, bamboo products etc and selling them. Rice collected from bamboo shrubs is an important commercial product here. The rice is said to be very good for blood pressure, sugar, and many other diseases. As this is a rare item in other towns, people who come here take back at least a packet of it with them. In the local shops good honey is also sold. amla fruits collected from the forests are also available in plenty here. The climate is cold throughout the year. Long back when the caste system was prevalent among the people an adivasi old man had a thirst to see the Lord of Thirunelli. He was aware that he would not be allowed inside the temple compound. He had no one to help him in this matter. But his desire to see the Lord became stronger and stronger. His people teased and scolded him since he wanted to do the impossible. But he didn't pay heed to their sarcastic comments. Finally one day he gathered some courage and ventured near the temple.
By the Lord's grace nobody noticed a low caste man like him going towards the temple. Hesitatingly he stepped inside the courtyard. There he saw some high caste people who also saw him. They shouted at him as to why he came there. Trembling he told them about his unflinching desire to see the Lord. The Lord as antharyami came to his help through them. To his great surprise they allowed him to go to the eastern side, stand behind the 'balikkal' at the front of the temple. He could have a peep from there and go they said.
Immensely delighted he stood behind the 'dwajasthambha' and tried to look inside. From there he couldn't see anything properly as the huge 'balikkal' was hindering his vision and so cried to the Lord in despair. Suddenly to the surprise of everyone there the huge 'balikkal' on the front corridor moved to a side as far as a person could see and he had the divine darsan of the Lord. The lord shining, fully decorated, stood smiling at him. The poor man shouted in ecstasy and the people came running there surprised how he got the darsan. They were shocked to see the 'balikkal' moved to a side and realised the poor man's bhakthi and Bhagavan's kaarunyam. They then with full respect let the man go. Even today we can see the 'balikkal' moved to a side of the corridor.
The temple opens for Nirmalya darsan at 5 a.m. After that abhisheka is done followed by alankara, nivedya and arathi. The temple. Here pithru puja is done in the temple. The temple closes at 1 p.m and opens by 5-30 p.m. After athazha puja and seeveli at 7-30 p.m. the temple closes by 8 p.m. No one can enter the temple wearing lungis, shirts, banyan etc. The temple conducts annadana daily at night. This is actually meant for the devotees who come and stay there for doing the shradha rituals. Coupons for dinner can be collected from the temple counter before evening. Food is prepared according to the number of coupons issued.
Ghee lamp, varieties of archanas, chandanam charthal, niramala are some of the offerings done here. Varieties of homams are also done here. One can get varieties of garland prepared in the temple itself and offer. Vella nivedyam, Sarkara payasam, Thrimadhuram are some of the nivedyam offered to the Lord.
Over the years the importance of the kshethra is diminished to a shradha kshethra. Seldom are people who come here to see the Lord. All come for doing shradha karmas prescribed by some astrologer or so. People should realise the divine presence of the Lord here. The Lord is waiting to see us and bless us. We must take efforts to go over there. The devaswom provides accommodation facilities for tourists.
Panchatheertha vishrama mandiram - 04935-210201
04935-210055
(Here no hot water is supplied for taking bath)
Pilgrims can contact this number and book their accommodation in advance.
Some private hotels are also available there.
Hotel Vishnupadam:- 04935-210285
Udupi Hotel:- 04935-210250
Ruchi Hotel 04935-210046
(near old bus stand) :-
One can reach the place from different routes.
Bangalore -Mysore nanchangud--Gundalpet-Muthanga- Batheri-Thirunelli.
Bangalore-Mysore-HD Kota-Baavali- Manathavadi
Bangalore-Mysore-Hunsur-Nagarhola-kutta-Mananthavadi.
Ooty-Gudalur-Pattavayal-Batheri-Thirunelli
Calicut-Thamarasseri-Vaithiri-Kalpetta-Mananthavadi-Thirunelli
Kannur-Mattanur-Peravur-Kottiyur-Palchuram-Mananthavadi
Thalaseri-Mahi-Nadapuram-Kutyadi-Korom-Mananthavadi.
Bus service is provided through these various routes. One can engage a car or van and reach the place. KSRTC buses come up to the temple.
'Pakshipathalam' is 7 k.m. above Thirunelli temple. It is a trekking destination. Only efficient trekkers can go there. Those who are adventurous and are prepared to face any situations can learn nature's deep secrets, and be one with nature here. The path is very tough and without a guide one can never reach.(04935-210377) District tourism department,(04935-204441, 202134 ) and District Forest department (04935-240284) have to be contacted to go to Pakshipathalam. They provide guide and necessary help. If one starts before 9 a.m. can reach by 3p.m.People with asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, cardiac complaints need not venture into this adventure.
For viewing photos of Kumbala and Thirunelli visit this link:
http://s863.photobucket.com/albums/ab194/radhadasi/Kumbala%20to%20Thirunelli%20%5C/
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