Thirunelli Temple
തിരുനെല്ലി ക്ഷേത്രം
An ancient Vishnu temple at the foot of Brahmagiri Mountain, known as the “Kashi of the South.” Devotees perform ancestral rites in the nearby stream.
The temple, surrounded by forest and mountains, dates back about a thousand years and is known for its stone-pillared corridors and granite water channels. The nearby Papanasini stream is believed to wash away sins, and devotees often perform ancestral rites there. Non-Hindus may visit the outer areas, but entering the inner sanctum requires following dress rules: men must go bare-chested and wear a mundu (a traditional wrap). The temple is about 30 km from Mananthavady, and the route passes through the Tholpetty forest, where wild elephants and deer are often seen.
Opening hours
About 05:30-12:00, 17:30-20:00
Nearby sights
- Pakshipathalam
- Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kuruva Island
- Kurumbalakotta
- Banasura Sagar Dam
- Karlad Lake
- Karapuzha Dam
- Phantom Rock