Situated near Shiriyara village, 6 km from Barkur town, Mekkikattu is famous for its beautiful wooden Bhuta icons. According to a legend, Saint Jambukeshwara installed
Nandi, the vehicle of Lord
Shiva, at this place to protect himself from the disturbances of evil power. To safeguard the place of holiness, he established a number of bhutas around this shrine. From that period, icons of this place have great significance and it has a large collection of wooden icons. Icons made at Soodigadde near
Bhatkal are also famous.
