Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli Temple (also "Tirunelli") is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Kerala. Inscriptions in this temple date back to the period of Bhaskara Ravi Varma I (962–1019 CE). Thirunelli temple located in what is now the Wayanad district of Kerala, near the Papanasini River. The name "Thirunelli" derives from the "nelli", the Malayalam word for Indian gooseberry of the Amla tree.

Legends

According to tradition, Lord Brahma was travelling the earth upon Hamsa the swan when he became attracted by the beauty of the area now known as Brahmagiri Hill. Descending in that spot, Brahma noticed an idol set in an Amla tree. Brahma recognized the idol as Lord Vishnu and the place as Vishnuloka. With the help of the Devas, Brahma installed the idol and called it Sahyamalak Kshetra. At Brahma’s request Vishnu promised that the waters of the area would wash away all sins. (Thus, the spring and river near the temple is called Papanasini—“washes away all sins”).