Thirunelli is located in the northern part of Wayanad district, closer to the Kerala-Karnataka border.
Route to Bangalore - Mysore - Wayanad
Bangalore to Thirunelli by Road: This is about driving directions from Bangalore to Thirunelli. Head to Mysore from Bangalore. There are two routes to chose from Mysore, the first via Hunsur,Nagalhole and Kutta; the second via HD Kote (handpost), Bavali. In the former take the diversion at Theturoad after Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary.
Another alternative is to take the Gundlupet route from Mysore to reach Sulthan Bathery. And then head to Thirunelli via Mananthavady.
Bangalore – Mysore (skip city) – Hunsur –Nagarhole (road closed in night) – Kutta – Thirunelli (250km)
Bangalore – Mysore – Handpost (HD Kote) – Bavali (road closed in night) – Kattikulam – Thirunelli : (260km, preferred route)
Bangalore – Mysore – Gundlupet – Muthanga (road closed in night) – Sulthan Bathery - Kattikulam – Thirunelli : (330km)
Bangalore to Thirunelli by Bus: Most of the long distance buses (KSRTC) towards Wayanad go by Sultan Bathery and Kalpetta. Take a connection bus to Mananthavady and then to Thirunelli. There are frequent bus service (day time) from Mananthavady to Thirunelli.
Sultan Bathery to Thirunelli is about 70km.
Bangalore to Thirunelli by Train: There are no railway stations in the vicinity of Thirunelli. However Kannur and Calicut are two major railway stations west of Wayanad district. See the railway stations for Wayanad, if you are planning to travel by train.
Location of Wayanad in Kerala.
Route A : Bangalore to Wayanad via Mysore, Hunsur, Nagarhole NP, Kutta and Mananthavadi
Route B : Bangalore to Wayanad via Mysore, HD Kote, Kabini, Nagarhole and Mananthavadi.
Route C : Bangalore to Wayanad via Mysore, Gundlupet, Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta.
Route D : Bangalore to Wayanad via Mysore, Gundlupet, Bandipur , Gudalur and Kalpetta.
Pakshipathalam is reachable only through trek (permission required) in the forest. Papanashini is a short trek from the Thirunelli temple.