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 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.

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.