Shree Kaleshwar Temple, Nerur

Shree Kaleshwar Temple, known to Nerur villagers as Shree Kaleshwara Devasthana, is a large temple in Nerur village in Sindhudurg district. It belongs to the village deity Kaleshwara, also called Kaloba. Its origins are put at 700 to 800 years ago: legend tells of a brahmin who, digging the earth, came upon a natural lingam, the emblem of Shiva, and the temple was founded on the spot. That lingam is now enshrined in the sanctum.

Mahashivaratri is the main occasion, celebrated as a five-day utsava during which Kaleshwara's idol is taken out of the temple in its chariot. A fair accompanies the festival and draws people from far afield. Maghi Ganesha Utsava, held in the month of Magha, and Navratri are also celebrated here.