"Peaceful, divine, and untouched. The natural cave and presence of fish in the sanctum made the darshan feel truly sacred."
Sri Keshavanatheshwara Temple, located in Moodugallu near Keradi village in Kundapura Taluk, Karnataka, is a unique and serene cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is renowned for its natural cave setting, where the sanctum sanctorum is situated approximately 50 to 75 feet inside a cave filled with perennial water. Devotees wade through knee-deep water, often accompanied by fish, to offer prayers to the self-manifested (Udbhava) Shiva Linga.
Udupi Tourism
The temple's mystical ambiance is enhanced by the presence of aquatic life and the natural light filtering into the cave. According to local lore, Lord Shiva meditated in this cave, and the current Linga is believed to be self-manifested. Worshipping here is considered equivalent to worshipping the hidden Linga within the cave.
The temple hosts a significant festival during "Ellu Amavasya," attracting 1,000–1,500 devotees. Villagers prepare the access roads in anticipation of this event.
Accessibility to the temple involves traversing forested paths, with the final stretch being a mud road, which can be navigated by small cars or two-wheelers. The temple has seen a surge in visitors following visits by celebrities such as Jr. NTR, director Prashanth Neel, and actor-director Rishab Shetty, who shared their experiences on social media.
The temple conducts daily rituals for Lord Keshavanatheshwara (a form of Lord Sh...
The temple sees a large influx of devotees during Ellu Amavasya, a new moon fest...
A highlight of the temple is its natural cave sanctum, where: Devotees walk thr...
Long ago, in the dense forests near Keradi, a group of sages set out in search of a divine spot to meditate. They passed hills and rivers, but their hearts remained restless. One evening, as the sun dipped behind the trees, they stumbled upon a cave hidden by thick vines and flowing water.
Curious, they stepped inside, only to find the cave filled with cool, ankle-deep water — and in the heart of it, a glowing Shiva Linga surrounded by calm fish, untouched by the outside world. A sudden peace fell upon them.
That night, Lord Shiva appeared in the dreams of the eldest sage and said,
“I chose this cave, not a palace or peak, for it is here the soul finds silence, and silence meets the divine.”
Since then, the cave became sacred — a divine preference where nature itself bowed to devotion.
"Peaceful, divine, and untouched. The natural cave and presence of fish in the sanctum made the darshan feel truly sacred."
