Nellitheertha Cave Temple

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Nellitheertha Cave Temple in Nellitheertha, Karnataka, India is dedicated to the Indian deity Sri Somanatheshwara, or Shiva. The temple dates back to at least 1487.^[1]

The most interesting aspect of this temple is the natural cave situated to the right of the temple. The cave is about 200 metres long and one needs to crawl on ones knees to reach the inside of the cave. Inside, one can find a beautiful lake and a Shiva Lingam.

Contents 1 Origins 2 Reaching Nellitheertha 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Origins

It is believed that the cave in Nellitheertha was used by Sage Jabali to perform a penance to appease Lord Durga Parameshwari. Lord Durga appeared in front of Sage Jabali and assured him that she would kill the demon Arunasura. She later took the shape of a wasp and killed Arunasura on the banks of the river Nandini. At that place today is a beautiful temple of Lord Durgaparameshwari and the place is very well known as Kateel.

Lord Durga also assured Sage Jabali that Shiva, Vishnu and Durga herself would grace that region and that there would be temples to worship all three of them in the vicinity. One can find a Vishnu temple near Nellitheertha at a place called Kompadavu. Lord Durga is worshipped in a place called Muchur, again near Nellitheertha. And Lord Shiva made Nellitheertha his abode.^[2]

[edit] Reaching Nellitheertha

There are several routes to reach Nellitheertha.^[3]

• From Mangalore, take the route towards Moodabidri. Travel beyond Gurupura, Kaikamba and reach Yedapadavu. Here, take a deviation towards Muchur. Nellitheertha is 8kms away from Yedapadavu.
• Reach Bajpe from Mangalore and take the route to Kathelsaar. Continue on the same road to reach Nellitheertha.
• Reach Kateel from Mangalore. Nellitheertha is about 5kms away from Kateel.
• While driving from Bangalore, one can take a deviation at B C Road and go through Polali and Kaikamba and reach Nellitheertha. This avoids having to travel through Mangalore.

[edit] See also

• Indian rock cut architecture
• List of India cave temples

[edit] References

1. ^ Cave Temple Nellitheertha History
2. ^ Birth of Nellitheertha
3. ^ Destingation - A Hidden Jewel Waiting to be Discovered

[edit] External links

• Nellitheertha Somanatheshwara Cave Temple main webpage
• Nellitheertha - A Hidden Jewel Waiting to be Discovered

Holy Temples of Coastal Karnataka
Udupi • Kollur • Sringeri • Dharmasthala • Kukke Subramanya Temple • Nellitheertha • Kateel • Anegudde • Gokarna • Murdeshwara •