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−Category:Caves of Karnataka; ±Category:Hindu cave temples in India→Category:Hindu cave temples in Karnataka using HotCatm

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
[[Image:nelli-temple.jpg|thumb|right|The Nellitheertha Cave Temple entrance]]
'''Nellitheertha Cave Temple''' (Tulu: ನೆಲ್ಲಿ ತೀರ್ಥ ಗುಹಾಲಯ) in [[Nellitheertha]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]] is dedicated to the Indian deity Sri [[Somanatheshwara]], or [[Shiva]]. The temple dates back to at least 1487 CE.<ref>[http://www.nellitheertha.com/nelli-hist.htm Cave Temple Nellitheertha History ]</ref>

[[Image:NelliSomanatha.jpg|thumb|right|Lord Somanatha]]

To the right of the temple is a natural cave, about {{convert|200|m}} long. Access is restricted, forcing visitors to crawl in on their knees. Inside, there is a lake and a Shiva Lingam.

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

[[Image:nelli-cave.jpg|thumb|right|The Cave at Nellitheertha.]]

Goddess 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. Goddess Durga is worshipped in a place called [[Muchur]], again near Nellitheertha. And Lord Shiva made Nellitheertha his abode.<ref>[http://www.nellitheertha.com/nelli-story.htm Birth of Nellitheertha]</ref>

== Reaching Nellitheertha ==
There are several routes to reach Nellitheertha.

* From [[Mangalore]], take the route towards [[Moodabidri]]. Travel beyond [[Gurupura]], [[Kaikamba]] and reach Yedapadavu. Here, take a deviation towards Muchur. Nellitheertha is 8 km 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 5 km 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.
* While driving from Bangalore, one can take a deviation at B C Road and go through [[Kuppepadavu]], [[Yedapadavu]] and reach Nellitheertha. This also avoids having to travel through Mangalore.

== See also ==
* [[Indian rock-cut architecture]]
* [[List of India cave temples]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{commons category|Nellitheertha Cave Temple}}
* [http://www.nellitheerthaguhalaya.com/ Nellitheertha Somanatheshwara Cave Temple New webpage]
* [http://www.nellitheertha.com/ Nellitheertha Somanatheshwara Cave Temple main webpage]
* [http://www.mangaloreworld.com/content/view/709/196/ Nellitheertha - A Hidden Jewel Waiting to be Discovered]

{{Holy temples of coastal Karnataka}}

{{coord missing|Karnataka}}

{{Hindu temples in Karnataka}}

[[Category:Hindu cave temples in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Dakshina Kannada district]]
[[Category:15th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:1487 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:15th-century establishments in India]]
[[Category:Geography of Dakshina Kannada district]]

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Nellitheertha Cave Temple - Revision history

imported>Shyamsunder: −Category:Caves of Karnataka; ±Category:Hindu cave temples in India→Category:Hindu cave temples in Karnataka using HotCatm