Wiese41
11 February 2009, 04:50 AM
Thirunelli temple (http://www.keralaholidays.com/Destinations/Sulthan_Bathery.htm) (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.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”).The temple is also known as the Sahyamala Kshetram. It is believed to be more than 3000 years old. Legend has it that this temple dedicated to lord Vishnu was built by lord Brahma (The Creator) himself - an architectural marvel with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks.Papanasini, the holy mountain spring believed to have divine cleansing powers to absolve the soul of all its sins, flows nearby. Also in the vicinity is a sacred rock where ritual offerings (known as bali) are made for the ancestors on the New Moon days of the Malayalam months Karkkidakom, Thulam and Kumbham. Besides the rituals during the two-day festival, art forms like Kathakali and Ottanthullal are performed.