Thirunelli Temple, also known as Tirunelli, is an ancient shrine dedicated to Maha Vishnu, situated on the slopes of Brahmagiri Hill in Kerala, India, close to the border with Karnataka.
The temple is recognized as one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams within the Vaishnavite tradition. Located at an altitude of approximately 900 meters in North Wayanad, it is nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains and dense forests, just 32 kilometers from Manathavady.
While there are no authentic records detailing the exact dates of the temple's establishment, it is undisputed that Thirunelli once served as a significant town and pilgrimage center situated in the midst of an inaccessible region.
Thirunelli is enveloped by a jungle valley, with mountains rising on all sides. Documentary evidence indicates that during the reign of Chera king Bhaskara Ravi Varma I (962–1019 CE), Thirunelli was already recognized as an important town and pilgrimage center in South India. Within the dense jungles surrounding the temple.