Nellitheertha Cave Temple is a famous temple of Lord Shiva located at South Kanara District of Karnataka, India. The temple is also known as Somanatheshwara Temple as the presiding deity is worshiped here as Somanatheshwara. This ancient Hindu cave temple dates back to around 1487 CE. The Shiv Lingam of the temple is made out of pure Saligrama and has been built as Ardhanareeshwara. The temple also has shrines of Lord Maha Ganapati and Jabali Maharshi.
The natural cave at Nellitheertha is located to the right of the temple and is around 660 ft long. Though the entrance to the cave is huge and wide, after a few feet the trail narrows down and visitors have to bend, crawl on their knees, and later has to fall flat on the tummy and crawl ahead. The cave again widens and visitors are welcomed with a beautiful natural huge lake and the Shiva linga.
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| Shiva Linga worshiped as Somanatheshwara |
The cave is believed to have been the place where Sage Jabali performed penance to appease Goddess Durga and ask the goddess to annihilate demon Arunasura. Pleased by the penance of Jabali Maharshi, Durga Parameshwari appeared in front of Sage Jabali and assured him the same. Lord Shiva made Nellitheertha his abode after this incident.
Darshan Timings
Nellitheertha Cave Temple timings are from 7.00 AM and 1.00 PM. The temple opens daily for worship services. Nellitheertha Cave Temple is open to members of all beliefs and castes.
Sevas and Poojas
The main sevas devotees can perform to Lord Somanatheshwara are Shatha Rudrabhisheka, Ekadasha Rudrabhisheka, Ganapati Homa, Durga Namaskara Pooja, Ranga Pooja, Satyanarayana Pooja and Bhoota Nemas.
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| Entrance of Nellitheertha Cave Temple |
The annual Jaatre Festival is celebrated usually in Dhanur Maasa for five days. The festival usual falls in the last week of December. Tula Sankramana, Shivarathri, Ganesha Chathurthi and Deepavali are other major festivals celebrated at Somanatheshwara Temple.
Nearby Attractions
Other places worth visiting are the Nagappa Kere (Snake Pond) situated to the north of the temple and the 300 to 500 feet high Amblattapadavu hillock located to the east of the temple’s entrance. Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple is around 8 km from here.
Contact Address
Sri Somanatheshwara Cave Temple
Sri Kshetra Nellitheertha
Neerude Post, Kompadavu Village
Mangalore Taluk
South Kanara District
Karnataka, India – 574144
How to Reach
Somanatheshwara Temple at Nellitheertha is just 8 km from Kateel and can be reached via Ekkaru – Neerude route.
Really felt blessy to read the blog's
ReplyDeleteI will visit this temple definitely