Kundapura: Spike in visitors to Moodagallu Keshavanatheshwara cave temple!

Team Udayavani, Sep 28, 2024, 10:29 AM IST

Kundapura – The ancient Sri Keshavanatheshwara Cave Temple, in Moodagallu located near Keradi village, has seen a surge in visitors recently. Known for its serene natural beauty and spiritual significance, the temple is becoming a popular destination for tourists.

The increase in popularity and footfall is being attributed to the recent visits by Telugu actor Junior NTR, director Prashanth Neel, and Kannada actor-director Rishab Shetty. The celebrities visited the temple a few weeks ago, and since then, the number of devotees has significantly increased. On weekends, 50-60 vehicles and buses, many from Andhra Pradesh, now visit the temple regularly.

A Unique Experience in Nature

The temple offers a mystical experience with its vast cave that stretches over 50 feet. Inside the cave is the self-manifested (Udbhava) Shiva Linga, where water flows perennially. Devotees can only see the deity by standing in the water. Fish in the water tickle their feet, adding to the unique experience. The natural beauty surrounding the temple, with its lush greenery, cool breeze, and bird songs, leaves visitors enchanted.

Tourists can also witness stunning sunrise and sunset views from the temple, which is located in a region rich in manganese deposits.

Access Roads Need Improvement

Though the temple has become a major attraction, the poor condition of the access roads is a deterrent for many visitors. Local authorities are being urged to improve the road infrastructure without disturbing the temple’s natural surroundings.

Ajit Shetty, a member of Shashidhar Mitra Vrunda, said, “We need the roads widened and the initial stretch tarred so that vehicles can easily access the temple. The natural beauty of the temple must be preserved.”

Local officials have assured that they will submit proposals to improve the road, while the temple’s development will fall under the purview of the Muzrai Department.

Mythological Significance:

According to lore, when the gods faced a challenge in creating life on Earth, they requested Lord Shiva, the creator, to descend to Earth. Shiva, accompanied by Parvati and Nandi, admired the Moodgallu region and chose a stone cave there to meditate. Eventually, he manifested as Keshavanatha in that very spot.

In the Kali Yuga, the gods, knowing that touching Shiva’s Linga could lead to desecration, hid the original Linga inside the cave and created the Udbhava (emergent) Linga, which is worshipped daily. It is believed that worshipping the Udbhava Linga is equivalent to worshipping the hidden Linga within the cave. The water used for the abhishekam (ritual bathing) of this Linga is said to flow out as seven sacred rivers.