Located at Nellitheertha in Karnataka, the Nellitheertha cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva or Sri Somanatheshwara as known popularly in the area. Nellitheertha cave temple derives its name from a cave located in the vicinity of the temple. As the entry to the cave is narrow, devotees need to crawl on their knees in the 200 metre long cave.

The Beauty of Caves

The caves at Nellitheertha date back to 1847 though historic evidences available point out that the temple did exist from earlier times. Water drops in form of Gooseberries keeps on dripping continuously in the cave. A natural Shiva lingam formed inside the cave is another unique aspect of the cave temple.

The cave temple has a pond where devotees take a dip before paying the regards to Lord Shiva. The cave temple is open for tourists and common visitors for a period of six months only. For the other six months, the temple complex is open for sages who wish to offer special prayers to Lord Shiva.

The Mystic Caves

It was the penance performed by Sage Jabali which gave the Nellitheertha caves its unique importance. Sage Jabali worshipped Goddess Durga in the cave to appease the Goddess to make her kill demon Arunasura. It is believed that Lord Shiva has made Nellitheertha his abode and this is one of the reasons that devotees of Lord Shiva come over to Nellitheertha cave temple to pay their obedience. Besides Shiva lingam, shrines of Maha Ganapathi and Jabali Maharishi also form a part of the temple complex.

The mud within the cave is known to possess healing power and devotees take the mud along to their homes. The same can be kept for a year without it getting spoiled.

Information for Visitors

The Nellitheertha cave temple is open to visitors from the months of October to April. Saints can come exclusively to the cave temple from April to September and this is perhaps the only temple in the country where six months period is restricted for the saints to pay their respect at the temple.

Causing any harm to animals, snakes and bats is strictly prohibited in the temple complex. A five day festival is held during the month of December in the temple complex. Devotees have to take a bath in the pond before paying their regards to the Lord.

How to Reach

By Road

If travelling by road from Bangalore, you can take a diversion at BC Road and move through Kuppepadavu to reach Nellitheertha. State Road Transport buses can be taken from Mangalore to Nellitheertha.

By Rail

You can disembark at Bangalore or Mangalore Railway Station and take a taxi from any of these for a comfortable journey to the cave shrine. State Road Transport buses can be taken from Mangalore to Nellitheertha.

By Air

Bangalore Airport is your best bet if you prefer to travel by Air to Nellitheertha cave temple. Taxi can be hired from the airport to the cave shrine.