Some Rest In The Lap of Thirunelli
In April 2009, during my vacation to Kerala, I had been to Thirunelli in Wayanad district for the third time. Thirunelli, a four hours journey from Thalassery, my hometown, is famous for the ancient Lord Vishnu Temple located there and is the starting point to Pakshipatalam, a paradise of birds located in the dense forest at an altitude of 1740 meters which can only be reached by foot. Thirunelli is my favourite place of tour because of its beauty and the nice weather even in the hot summers. My unforgettable previous experiences in the place drove me to Thirunelli again. Unlike my previous visits this time I was not traveling with my friends group and had the sole company of my friend, Prashanth. My wish of traveling to Pakshipatalam was unfulfilled as others were not available for a tour.
In April 2009, during my vacation to Kerala, I had been to Thirunelli in Wayanad district for the third time. Thirunelli, a four hours journey from Thalassery, my hometown, is famous for the ancient Lord Vishnu Temple located there and is the starting point to Pakshipatalam, a paradise of birds located in the dense forest at an altitude of 1740 meters which can only be reached by foot. Thirunelli is my favourite place of tour because of its beauty and the nice weather even in the hot summers. My unforgettable previous experiences in the place drove me to Thirunelli again. Unlike my previous visits this time I was not traveling with my friends group and had the sole company of my friend, Prashanth. My wish of traveling to Pakshipatalam was unfulfilled as others were not available for a tour.
On 21st Prashanth and I left Thalassery at 9:30 a.m. towards Thirunelli in a bus. We passed by the mountain pass at Mananthavadi. The richness of tall trees restricted the sunlight to the area. As soon as we entered the pass we felt being entered in an AC room. It was a pleasant journey enjoying the cool weather and the beauty of the forest & tea estates. From Mananthavadi town it was a one-hour journey to Thirunelli. The fragrance from the coffee fields followed us. By 1:30 p.m. we reached Thirunelli. Soon after lunch we walked towards a nearby stream known as Kalindi. It is less than 1 km far on the route to Pakshipatalam. The place has changed a bit with a new school and a resort. The life of the Adivasis also seems to be improved. The innocence we had seen on their face last time was not there except in children. The mid noon sun was blazing high and we walked. We reached the stream and rested there for a while before taking a refreshing bath. Children were playing in the water while some guys fishing. There we acquainted with two youngsters Sujin & Ajayan who were working with an organization for the welfare of the Adivasis. They were taking snaps of the children playing in the water. It is vacation time for the children. In the words of one of the fishing guys, “They [the children] will start from home in the morning to play in the water till evening like we leave home for work.” While chilling in the water we got to know more about the place from them. They saw wild elephants on that morning near the stream. Wild elephants often come close to their homes in search of food and destroy the crops. We wanted to go to Pakshipatalam the next day. They discouraged us by saying that it is not safe to travel in tiny group to the place as chances of meeting wild animals, en route especially elephants, are more. Permission from the forest department is required and accompaniment by a Guide is necessary. We should start from Thirunelli early in the morning with sufficient eatables, as Pakshipatalam is not inhabited and we have to reach back Thirunelli by evening. The cool weather and the beauty of the place make one to simply stay there. After some more time we returned to Thirunelli temple area through a beautiful farm field surrounded by Mountains. We tried for accommodation in an Erumaadam – A hut on stakes on treetops – but didn’t get one and got a room in a hotel near the temple. Now we had Darshan at temple in the evening.
Next day morning we visited the temple and the nearby Papanasini Stream, Gundika Temple, and Panchatheertha Pond. People visit Thirunelli temple to offer rites to the ancestors and take a dip in the Papanasini, which is believed to wash away one’s sins. Gundika Temple is a Lord Shiva Temple inside a small cave. Years ago, this cave temple didn’t have a gate and the priest who entered the cave to offer the Pooja was killed by a leopard hiding inside. People were walking up and down this area amidst the dense forest. After a while we returned and headed towards the Kalindi Stream and spend time there till we boarded a bus to Thalassery in the afternoon.
