Thirunelly Maha Vishnu Temple
തിരുനെല്ലി മഹാവിഷ്ണു ക്ഷേത്രം
Lord Maha Vishnu · Mananthavady (Nearby), Kerala
Heritage★ 4.915,800 reviews2,000 visits
About the temple
One of the most ancient Vishnu temples in India; the only temple where rituals for ancestors (Pithru Tharpanam) are performed in the Papanasini river. Salvation for ancestors, purification of sins, and spiritual liberation (Moksha).
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 05:30 – 20:00
- Established
- 1000
- Best time to visit
- 06:00 AM - 09:00 AM (especially for rituals).
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Maha Vishnu · തിരുനെല്ലിപ്പെരുമാൾ (Thirunelli Perumal)Lord Shiva (in a separate cave)HanumanNagas
- Deity form
- Chaturbhuja Vishnu (Four-armed Vishnu)
- Religious tradition
- Kerala Tantric
- Sanskrit name
- तिरुनेल्लि महाविष्णु मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Sahyamala Kshetram, Kashi of the South (Dakshina Kashi)
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 05:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 05:30 PM - 08:00 PM
- Break timings
- 12:00 PM - 05:30 PM
- Special days
- Open from 04:00 AM on Karkidaka Vavu and during Bali rituals.
- Festival timings
- July–August (Karkidakam) and during the summer holidays.
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 06:00
- Midday aarti
- 11:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:30
- Night aarti
- 19:45
- Special aarti days
- Ekadashi and full moon days.
- Ritual schedule
- Bali Tharpanam (Early morning), Usha Pooja, Seeveli
- Pooja timings
- Pithru Bali (Ancestor rites) performed at Papanasini river.
- Abhishek timings
- 06:30
- Special poojas
- Bali Tharpanam, Tilhavanam, Sayujya Pooja
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Chera Dynasty (Perumals) / Kottayam Royal Family
- Construction materials
- Massive Granite pillars, Laterite, Wood
- Historical events
- Restoration by the Kottayam Rajahs; construction of the stone aqueduct (Theerthathotti).
- Renovations
- Major structural preservation in recent decades to maintain the stone pillars.
- Archaeological importance
- High Historical and Archaeological Value.
- Legends
- Lord Brahma was performing a sacrifice when he saw the idol of Vishnu on a gooseberry (Nelli) tree.
- Inscriptions
- Copper plate inscriptions of the Chera period.
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 10th - 12th Century (Granite expansions)
- Structure
- Square Sreekovil with a granite Chuttambalam (incomplete roof).
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Unfinished stone gateway; lacks a tall gopuram typical of the era.
- Mandapa
- Extensive Namaskara Mandapam with 16 granite pillars.
- Sculptural features
- Exquisite granite carvings on the pillars depicting mythological motifs.
- Artistic elements
- Ancient stone engravings.
- Construction technique
- Interlocking stone technique without mortar.
- Unique features
- The Theerthathotti, an ancient stone aqueduct bringing water from the hills to the temple.
Festivals & events
KSRTC buses from Mananthavady (approx. 30 km).
- Festival calendar
- Karkidaka Vavu, Bali Tharpanam, Vishu, Annual 2-day Festival
- Special celebration days
- Karkidakam month (July/August) for Bali rituals.
- Cultural events
- New moon days (Amavasya).
- Annual events
- Traditional rituals like Pothivettu during festival seasons.
- Peak crowd season
- Karkidaka Vavu Bali, Maha Shivarathri, and Puthari (Harvest festival).
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- 06:00 AM - 09:00 AM (especially for rituals).
- Parking capacity
- 100
- Parking fees
- 20
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Cards
- Prasadam
- Payasam, Vada