Wayanad Escapes: Thirunelli Temple, Nature’s Sanctuary of Peace and Divinity

Sriranga VN
Jul 24, 2025
2 min read

Wayanad Escapes!!

Lord Bramha was in a happy mood as He zoomed on his lotus-decked-Swan inspecting the world, He had gloriously created. The world looked all green, lush and gorgeous.

As He looked down, He saw a beautiful valley with surronding Wayanad Bramhagiri mountains in the backdrop. Huge trees touched the sky. Green foliage was everywhere. As Lord Bramha cruised, He saw a blooming Nelli (Amla) tree and something underneath resting. He swooped down and behold Lord Vishnu idol in black stone resting peacefully on green carpet of leaves.

Lord Bramha carefully carried Lord Vishnu idol and installed it in the valley. A temple was build here ordered by Lord Bramha and later developed by Chera kings.

This place is the Tirunelli temple of Lord Vishnu, in Wayanad of Kerala, nestled in the lush valley, carresed by mighty Bramhagiri mountains.

Thirunelli is a beautiful temple in Wayanad region of Kerala. We visited this beautiful temple a few days back. To reach this temple from Bangalore, we climbed about 900 m elevation by car after passing through animal filled Nagarhole tiger reserve.

The road elevates through thick jungles as it climbs up the mountains, filled with lofty ancient trees and an narrow strip of road. Birds and wild animals are heard and seen in dense jungle as we passed....

Thirunelli temple with ancient Kerala temple architecture stands in midst of forest, facing east with Bramhagiri mountains in the backdrop.

Lord Vishnu stands in the Sanctum Santorum, shining in the dance of light, thrown by oil wickered lamps, looking out with a benevolence of blessings. Darshan happened after a short wait, peppered by the beating of Kerala drums and chiming of bells.

We next walked up to the natural Aquafer stream with crystal clear water flowing down the mountain. The water is cool, clean, clear and washes off the tensions of body and mind, leaving us relaxed, peaceful and sublime in beauty of nature.

As I visited the temple, a thought was running through my mind... Nature in the countryside is so beautiful, mesmerising and peaceful. Then why are we struck in humdrum monotony of our city lives, a prison which we design ourselves with our own hands.

Beautiful places, beautiful legends lie at arms length, waiting for us to come n embrace it, refresh ourselves and go in peace. Question is are we ready to come out of our prisons, open up and enjoy the God made beauties in peace and devotion .....

Come on, go and enjoy the mysterious beauty of God given Nature and its beauty...

Life is beautiful, if we live beautifully inside in our thoughts and then go out n live each day with vigour and curosity of a innocent child, is'nt it so?? Enjoy.....!!