Thirunelli Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kerala, believed to have been consecrated by Lord Brahma. It's also called "Sahyamala Kshetram" and "Kashi of the South."
The temple attracts many pilgrims who come to perform ancestral rites. These rituals are conducted on the banks of the Papanasini stream, which flows from Mount Brahmagiri and is believed to wash away sins. Another significant spot is the holy rock, where people pray for their ancestors.
On the western side of the temple is the Gunnika cave temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This makes Thirunelli special with the presence of all three members of the Hindu Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Famous archaeologist Gopinatha Rao dates Bhaskara Ravivarman I's reign starting from AD 978. Forty-six years after he became king, some restoration work was done at the Thirunelli temple.
The old Champu (a type of literary work) called Unniachicharita, written by Mahakavi Ullur before 1299, also describes this temple in detail:
"A beautiful woman named Achiyar was born as the daughter of Nangaipilla in North Kottayam. Unni, the younger of their two daughters, is the heroine of this Champu. A Devadasi (temple dancer) named Unniachi danced at a temple called Tiru Maruthur, now known as the Thrissilery temple, which is still connected to the Thirunelli temple. The anonymous author of Unniachicharita describes the town of Niramaruthur near Thirunelli in poetic terms."