Actress Juhi Rustagi visits Thirunelli temple with her fiance

Actress Juhi Rustagi captured the hearts of Malayalis with her role of Lachu in the popular television series ‘Uppum Mulakum’. But there's now someone who has won over Juhi's heart and it is her fiance Dr Rovin George.

The endearing couple recently visited the Thirunelli temple in Wayanad. A video of their trip posted on YouTube has gone viral on social media.

The video captures the ancient granite pillars laden with beautiful creepers that adorn the temple corridors and the expansive greenery of the temple precincts with the majestic hills in the backdrop.

The famous temple of Thirunelli is surrounded by the hills of Kambamala, Karimala and Varadigamala of the Brahmagiri range on the Kerala-Karnataka border in Wayanad.

Known for its exquisite sculpture, the temple can be reached from Mananthavady by a 32-km drive on the Ghat road through dense forest. Scores of pilgrims flock to Thirunelli every year to perform the 'bali tharpana' (paying obeisance to ancestors).

The panchatheertham pond believed to have been the meeting point of five sacred rivers in the past is a another major feature of the region. The blue lotuses dotting the pond are a feast for the eyes. The pond is situated on the way from the temple to the Papanasini stream. Once the source of water for the temple, the pond is today renowned for the 'footsteps of Vishnu', the image of a footprint on a boulder in the middle of the pond.

The holy Papanasini stream, located 1 km from the temple on the northeast side, is considered to have the power to wash away the sin of devotees. The clear waters of the stream that flow down the Brahmagiri hills through the roots and leaves of medicinal plants are believed to have healing properties. Pilgrims performing ancestral rites immerse the cremation ashes in the Papanasini. These flow into the river Kaveri and eventually the sea, ensuring moksha for the departed souls.

For the love of unniappam

The journey to the Thirunelli temple has had an added aroma for the last 25 years – all thanks to Kuttettan's unniappam shop that lies on the way to Wayanad. Kuttettan's shop has been attracting even celebrities for the delicious unniappams made in a most natural way without any artificial ingredients. Located on the junction towards Tholpetty, this is a stop not to be missed for all Thirunelli-goers. There is nothing like gulping down a few mouth-watering unniappams along with some black tea, while enjoying the cool breeze from the Brahmagiri hills.