Temples

According to popular legends, this temple was originally built by King Ambarisha, a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He used to observe Ekadashi (fasting) religiously. The next morning (Dwadashi) the King would feed a Brahmin and then break his fast by taking food. Once sage Durvasa visited him on Ekadashi. The king requested the sage to be his guest so that he can feed him the next day (Dwadashi) before breaking his fast. Durvasa was a short tempered rishi. He decided to play a trick on Ambarisha. The next morning, he went to bathe in the river and did not return until Dwadasi thithi was over. The King had to break his fast and before that he had to feed Dursava. He waited for a long time but when the sage did not turn up, the King broke his fast by taking food. Durvasa returned shortly afterwards. When he realized that the king had taken food, he became angry and sent an ogre to kill him. Ambarisha prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Angered by the plight of his devotee, Vishnu sent his Sudarshan Chakra (celestial wheel) to kill the ogre. After killing the ogre, the Chakra turned towards Durvasa. Sensing that his life was in danger, Durvasa fell at the feet of Vishnu and sought pardon. Vishnu, however, asked him to apologize to Ambarisha. The lord then asked his devotee if he had any wishes. To this, Ambarisha replied that the Lord should appear before him from all directions. According to another legend, King Ambarisha attained salvation here.

The temple has an interesting legend behind. While travelling around the world, Lord Brahma came across a beautiful place now known to be Brahmagiri hills. Getting attracted to the beauty of the hills, he descended there and noticed an idol resting on an Amla (Gooseberry) tree. He recognized the idol as Lord Vishnu himself and with the help of the other Devas, he installed the idol there. On Brahma's request, Lord Vishnu promised that the water around the temple will wash away all sins and thus the stream Papanashini originated, destroying all the sins. The temple got its name from Nelli means Amla (Gooseberry) and came to be known as Thirunelli.

While reaching the premises of this temple, you will experience the tranquility. You will get refreshed with calm and peaceful surroundings covered with lush green forest. The Thirunelli temple is constructed as per ancient temple architecture.

The rituals in this temple are performed on the banks of stream Papanashini, which originates from the Brahmagiri hills. The stream is considered to have medicinal powers. You can also see a holy rock in this temple, where people used to pray for their forefathers. On the western side of the Thirunelli temple, you can sight cave temple Gunnika. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thus Thirunelli is blessed with the trinities – Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.

Near to the Papanashini stream, you can sight Panchatheertham, the sacred pond. It is believed that five streams met here in ancient period. You can see dense bushes surrounding the pond and also a foot imprint of Lord Vishnu in a stone slab at the centre of this pond. On summer season, the pond becomes dry.

The known Kerala history begins with Cheras. The Siva of Tiruvanchikulam temple is their tutelary deity. History of Kerala is broadly divided into four divisions. First division among them is Vanchi Epoch. In ‘sangam’ period Tiruvanchikulam is known as Vanji. Dr. S. Krishna Swamy Iyengar, K.G. Sesha Iyer and other historians located Vanchi at Tiruvanchikulam. 27 Sangam poets have sung about Cheras, who are believed to have visited this temple and the nearby Cheran Palace in ancient days.

Cheraman Perumal, the traditional legedary king of Kerala, is believed to went to ‘Kailasa’ with his companion Saiva saint, Sundaramoorthi Nayanar from this temple premises.