Nellitheertha Sri Somanatheshwara Cave temple, (Sri Kshetra Nellitheertha)-Karnataka

Address

Nellitheertha Sri Somanatheshwara Cave temple, (Sri Kshetra Nellitheertha) Neerude Post, Kompadavu Village Mangalore Taluk, South Kanara District Karnataka, India – 570063 Phone: 91-824-2299142

Diety

Sri Somanatheshwara

Introduction

The Nellitheertha Cave Temple is located in Nellitheertha town, which is present in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. There is a temple dedicated to Somanatheshwara or Lord Shiva in Nellitheertha. This temple dates back to the 15th century. This temple has a Shiva Linga and also shrines for Maha Ganapathi and Jabali Maharishi. The Nellitheertha Cave Temple is located inside this temple. Near the entrance, to the left, this cave has a huge entrance, but once inside, you have to crawl on your knees to proceed. Inside, there is a lake and a Shiva Linga. The lake was formed by water dripping into the cave in droplets. The droplets look like Nelli which means gooseberry. This is the reason for the name Nellitheertha. The Lingam of Shri Somanatheshwara has been made out of pure Saligrama shila and is considered very sacred.

Puranic Significance

Special Features

“Nagappa Kere” (Snake Pond) is a small pond situated to the north of the temple. This natural pond, along with its religious significance, is also a scenic spot. All devotees who want to enter the cave temple have to take bath in this pond and only then are they allowed into the cave. The entrance to the cave is huge and wide. Within a few feet, the trail narrows down and one is forced to bend and crawl forward. Subsequently, one has to fall flat on the tummy and crawl ahead. After about 200 metres, the cave widens again and there is a lake. There is a natural Shiva Lingam in front of the lake and devotees worship the lingam. The lake was formed by water dripping into the cave in droplets. The droplets look like Nelli (Amla) which means gooseberry. This is the reason for the name Nellitheertha. And the temple is unique in Nature.

Festivals

Nellitheertha temple conducts its annual Jaatre (festival). This is a grand five day event full of religious and cultural ceremonies. Typically, this falls on the last week of December or the first week of January. The festival begins with a silver flag being hoisted to indicate the beginning of the Jaatre. This is called “Kodi” or “Dhwajaarohana” ceremony