Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple ,Mananthavadi

The Brahmagiri Hills is in the Border of Kerala&Karnataka.Thirunelli MahaVishnu Temple is situated 30KM from Mananthavadi a vllage in Wayanad,Kerala&is awell known Pilgrimage Centre..Nearby this Holy Temple flows the Papanashini Stream.The proximity to the dense forests makes it one of the most favourite Pilgrim Centre for devotees as well as tourists. One will have to travel from Manantghawadi to Thirunelli by using the Mysore Road when arrive at Kattikulam in order to reach the tyny village of Thirunell.It is a pleasant journey one could ever have in a life because the travel passes through Elephant sanctuaries and Bamboo forests.The picturesque area is considered as a paradise for Trekkers also. Thirunelli has very small population of which major portion are Adivasis. History of Thirunelli is brief.It is, however said there was mention about the town in 12thb century books like Chanbu.it is also said there are evidencess of copper plate inscriptions of Bhaskara Ravi Varmas period of 10th and 11 th centuries also. Thus it is to be assumed that this small town had pilgrimage presence for centuries. The Thirunelli Temple in the Brahmagiri Range is also sometimes known as Kasi of Soth.Often considered as Gaya of South also as rituials for depe=arted souls is being conducted here also.In Gaya it is said once a person performs Shradha in Gaya there is no need for him to perform for ife time.No such belief however appears to have in respect of Thirunelli. The legends say that it is believed tha the Temple was built by Brahmadevan.He was travelling round the earth on a Swan while he noticed the enchanting beauty of the Brahmagirin Hills.He decended onthe spot and found an idol of Vishnu under an Amla tree (Nelli Tree in MNalayalam on which Ghooseberry fruit is found) and installed the idol there itself.Lord Brahma named the Temple as Sahyamalaka Temple.Lord Vishnu as per the request of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu made the waters of the area as sacred and blessed it with the capability of Washing away sins.Thereafter the river was known as Papanasini which means the stream that washes away all sins. Yet another legend claims that the king of birds Garuda was flying over Thirunelli with Amrutkumbha( the potofAmrut ,the Nector of Life) when Lord Brahma was installing the Vishnu idol under the Nelltree.Garuda who is also the official vehicle of Vishnu seeng this took a round over the place when drops of Nector fell in the stream below attained the power purify sins.Either way the Papanasini has the power to purify sins. It is also believed Lord Brahma worships at the wee hours in the Temple every day and hence the head priest leaves a portion of Pooja materials at the Temple before closing the Temple at night. All the sayings and legends together if read with it can safely be assumed how the Temple got the name Thiru Nelli. Lord Parasurama the incarnation of Lord Vishnu is also believed to have visited Thirunelli to perform last rites of his dead father Sage Jamadagni.It is also said Lord Parasurama took a dip in Papanasini to atone for his sin of killing Kshatriyas The Mystic Nature of Thirunelli Temple is so overwhelming that it can not be postponed from a holy pilgrimsge to the place by all believers of God.This, however, does not mean the self proclimed Gods ad Goddesses of our Generation.I mean the believers of real God mentioned in Puranas ,Vedas Upanishds and so on.To highlight Lord Vishnu,Lord Mahadeva,lordBrahma,Lord Sreerama,Lord Ganesha,Lord Subrahmania,Lord Ayyappa and all Mahadevis are to be believed to protect people and cultivate systematic grouth of life among children not to get diverted from doing anything other than good deeds.The basic principles of fearing God is to establish fear in God among kids to develop good habits,manners and power to make them refraining from doing bad things like telling lies,stealing things, becoming lazy etc to boost their childhood to attain honours when they become grown ups. In other words,belief is that controls everything in our life.For ths there is no boundaries like Hindu ,Muslim,Christians,Jains,Sikhs or anything of the sort.Different religions can maintain different Gods of their choice and Worship.So long as these beliefs do not clash life is sweet and worth living. Further what is the bsic reason leading to building up belief in Children about God & making them Godfearing? Very simple. Parents wish to allow them to grow only with good thoughts in mind without indulging in any bad habits such as lying ,fighting with classmates ,playing mischieves and so on.So parents derive various good stories about theGods and Godesses of their religion.Generally Children have a tendency to hear stories told by parents especially while putting them to sleep.These good stories are likely to remain in their inner conscious. Thus God Belief and Godfearing are virtues we derive from our parents and allow them to continue for a long time to come. "Cheruppa kaalangalilulla seelam Marakkumo manushanulla kaalam Karaskkarathin Kuru Paalilittal Kaalanthare Kaippu samippathundo?" So God and God belief are incorporated in us from childhood especially from the stories told by Mother. Now coming back to Thirunelli Temple, the Temple is a fine place of Architectural Wonders.People assemble here mainly for performing rituals of offerring Pindams for their departed dead and to achieve the Punya emerging out of such performances.Many gather here from all parts of the world. The main festivals in the Temple are Puthari,Chuttuvilakku,Navaraathri,Shivaraathri, and ShreeKrishna Jayanthi. As compared to one of the greatest Temples devoted to Vishnu Guruvayur Temple,the additional attraction here is the rituals to the near and dear dead and the bath in the Papanasini. It is also a custom for pilgrims to visit another beautiful Mahadeva cave Temple in Thirunelli before they visit Vishnu Temple. This Siva Temple is in typical Kerala style Temple worth visiting.This Siva Temple is well known for Swayabhoo linga feature.This is a Temple with great spiritual ambiance. This Siva Temple is situted a little away from Thirunelli .This is a historical Temple with antique look.Not renovated recently and it adds to the antique nature &originality So all the best to everyone to visit Thirunelli and return with a load of Blessings and feeling of relief from sins if you have committed any. So in a nut shell,it is not necessarily a must to visit Thirunelli only for performing rituals of near and dear although people prefer doing it to normal Temple visits. There is absolutely no harm done if one prefers to visit Thirunelli Temple just out of devotion. Similarly there is no speciality that just sinners alone can bath in the Papanasini stream(River). Any devotee can take bath in Papanasini stream.For such people there is an added advantage for normal devotees that they can wash away sins committed by them unknowingly also. So all the best for an early visit to the Temple to gather tonnes of Blessings and good wishes from Mahavishnu besides an opportunity to have a darshan of the beautiful place full of Peace and Tranquility Sreedharan Mundanat 8th of December 2017 at Thrissur-680 004 ( Courtsey:Information from netv and hearsay)