The Thirunelli Temple is a Vishnu temple situated in the quaint village of Thirunelli, in the Wayanad district. It is nestled at the foothills of the Brahmagiri Hills, a part of the Sahyadri Ranges, and is enveloped by lush mountains and forests. The temple is approximately 32 kilometers away from Mananthavady and sits at an elevation of around 950 meters above sea level.
The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams in the Vaishnavite tradition. It is also referred to as the “Kashi of the South.” According to legend, Lord Brahma installed the idol of Lord Vishnu on a gooseberry tree, locally known as nelli, which is how the temple came to be known as Thirunelli.
The temple is accessible every day of the week, with opening hours from 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and then again from 5:30 PM to 8 PM.