Dharmasthala

Dharmasthala is an Indian temple town on the banks of the theNethravathi River in the Belthangady taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, India. It is a panchayat village, and it is the only village in its gram panchayat.

The town is known for its Dharmasthala Temple which houses the shrine of Shiva, Manjunatha, Ammanavaru, Chandranath and the DharmaDaivas (guardian spirits of Dharma) — Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumaraswamy and Kanyakumari. The temple is unusual in that it is run by a Jain administration and poojas are conducted by Hindu priests of the Madhva order. Lakshadweep, the festival of lights, is the annual festival of Dharmasthala from November–to December. On average, the flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people a day. A mechanised kitchen provides free food for all pilgrims, and there are guest houses with modern amenities.

Dharmastala represents religious tolerance. A Jain Tirthankara is worshipped beside Daivas and Lord Manjunatha (Shiva). The priests are Vaishnavite Brahmins and the guardian of the temple a Heggade (Jain). To those who come here for justice, the Heggade dispenses judgments that are said to represent the will of the deities.

 

State: Karnataka
District: Dakshina Kannada
Body: Gram Panchayat

Official Language: Kannada
Spoken Language: Tulu
Time zone: UTC+5:30 (IST)
Nearest city: Belthangady

 

Local legend says that the Shiva Linga in Dharmasthala was brought to Dharmasthala by a local person with great powers, named Annappa. Legend is that he used to work for the Heggade family. Once when the Heggade he was serving wanted to worship Lord Shiva, Annappa had assured him to get one linga and vanished from the sight. The next morning, he had already established the linga in Dharmasthala, a few metres away from Heggade's house. Later it was learned that the linga was from Kadri near Mangalore, from the Kadri temple. By then, Annappa had vanished and he was never again sighted in the vicinity. Now people in Dharmasthala worship Annappa asAnnappa Panjurli, a local god deva and a hero.

800 years ago, Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma in Mallarmadi, then a village in Belthangady. Here lived the Jain chieftain Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballathi in a house called Nelliadi Beedu. Pergade and the local chieftains built several shrines and invited Brahmin priests to perform the rituals. These priests requested Pergade to install a Shivalinga beside the native Daivas. The Daivas then sent their vassal Annappa Swamy to procure the linga of Lord Manjunatheshwara from Kadri, near Mangalore. Subsequently, the Manjunatha temple was built around the linga.

Around the 16th century, Shri Devaraja Heggade invited Shri Vadiraja Swami of Udupi to visit the place. The Swamiji gladly came but refused to accept Bhiksha (food offering) because the idol of Lord Manjunatha had not been consecrated according to the Vedic rites. Shri Heggade then requested the Swamiji to reconsecrate the Shiva Linga himself. Pleased by the observance of the Vedic rites and Heggade's charity to all, the Swamiji named the place Dharmasthala the abode of religion and charity. Thus, the roots of charity and religious tolerance established by the Pergades 800 years ago have been nurtured and strengthened by 21 generations of the Heggade family of Tulu lineage (Heggade being a derivative from Tulu word Pergade). Today's Dharmasthala blossoms with the fruit of this selfless dedication.

 

Manjusha Car Museum

Sri Manjunatheshwara Cultural and Research Foundation, started by the Temple committee, is engaged in preserving ancient manuscripts and paintings. A museum of antique objects has been established called the "Manjusha Museum" and a car museum houses a rare collection of vintage cars.

Traditional folk arts like Yakshagana and ethnic crafts like Navalgund carpets and Kasturi embroidery are revived by Dr Heggade.  Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust is engaged in the renovation of temples across Karnataka and every year, a Sarva Dharma Sammelana (multi-religious meet) is held at Dharmasthala, where spiritual leaders from various faiths and schools participate.

 

Anna dana

One of the most impressive events that take place in this village is the "Anna Daana" or free food provision. This tradition is an embodiment of the philosophy of equality and compassion, as all devotees are offered delicious and quality meals.

The average flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people every day. Every one of the pilgrims who visit Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala is an honoured guest irrespective of caste, creed, culture or status. The "Anna Daana" (free food) is one of the impressive events that take place in this village. Free food is provided to devotees and the temple has modern machinery and makes quality food continuously throughout the day. The dining hall is known as "Annapoorna".

 

Facility	Description
Dining Hall Name	Annapoorna
Capacity	Can accommodate a large number of people.
Machinery	Equipped with modern machinery for efficient food preparation and service.
Food Quality	High-quality, nutritious meals are prepared continuously throughout the day.

 

Anna Daana Significance

• Embodies the philosophy of equality and compassion
• Offers delicious and quality meals to all devotees
• Operates continuously throughout the day, providing food for thousands of pilgrims

 

Vidya dana: A Beacon of Quality Education in Karnataka

Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala by the SDMCET Society manages 25 institutions ranging from primary schools, Gurukula to teach yoga, Sanskrit, and professional courses in engineering, medicine, and dental sciences in Dharmasthala, Ujire, Mangalore, Udupi, Dharwad, Hassan, Mysore and other places of Karnataka state.

The Siddavana gurukula started by the late Manjayya Heggade has become a model educational institution. Over 250 students are provided free lodging and boarding and learn yoga and Sanskrit in addition to the basic school curriculum. The speciality of this institution is its endeavour to teach values based on Indian culture.

Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, managed by the SDMCET Society, is a renowned educational institution with a presence in various parts of Karnataka. Spanning over 25 institutions, this conglomerate offers an extensive range of educational programs – from primary schools to specialized institutions in yoga, Sanskrit, engineering, medicine, and dental sciences.

 

Location	Courses Offered
Dharmasthala, Ujire, Mangalore, Udupi, Dharwad, Hassan, and other places in Karnataka	Primary schoolsGurukula (Siddavana Gurukula)Yoga teaching institutionsSanskrit schoolsEngineering collegesMedical and dental sciences colleges

 

Siddavana Gurukula: A Model Educational Institution

Among the 25 institutions under the SDMCET Society, the Siddavana Gurukula stands out as a unique model educational institution. Established by the late Manjayya Heggade, this school has become synonymous with Indian culture and values-based education.

• Over 250 students are provided with free lodging and boarding
• Students learn yoga and Sanskrit in addition to the basic school curriculum

The institution's specialty lies in its commitment to imparting values based on Indian culture. This is an essential aspect that sets it apart from other educational institutions.

 

How to reach Dharmasthala

Situated in the beautiful state of Karnataka, India, Dharmasthala is a popular tourist destination known for its rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance. This temple town is easily accessible by various modes of transportation, making it an ideal getaway for travelers.

 

By Road

Transport Provider	Services	Centres Connected
KSRTC (State-owned)	Bus services	Several centres of Karnataka
Private Companies	Bus services	Several centres of Karnataka

Dharmasthala is well connected by road, and both state-owned KSRTC and private companies provide bus services from several centres of Karnataka. Travelers can easily plan their journey using these reliable and frequent transport options.

 

By Train

Mangalore Railway Station, located approximately 74 km away from Dharmasthala, is the nearest railway junction. This well-connected railway station offers easy access to all major cities and towns in India. Travelers can hire taxis/cabs or take buses to reach Dharmasthala from Mangalore once they arrive at the railway station.

Transport Options From Mangalore Railway Station

• Hire taxis/cabs: Taxis and cabs are readily available at the taxi stand outside the Mangalore Railway Station.
• Take buses: Several private and state-owned bus companies operate from the bus stand near the railway station, providing frequent services to Dharmasthala.

 

The Majestic Lord Bahubali Statue at Dharmasthala

Bahubali Statue is near the temple on a small hill. It is revered by Jains as a symbol of sacrifice. Kukke Subramanya Temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya is just 62 km from here. Sringeri and Horanadu are less than 100 km from here. Health Facility nearby = Shree Dhanvantari Chikitsalaya, Vaishnavi complex, opposite ram mandir,kanyadi.Service is available 24 hours in any emergencies. It is the general clinic for primary treatment for any illness

In the year 1973, a magnificent statue of Lord Bahubali was installed at Dharmasthala, Karnataka. This statue, carved out of a single rock, is situated on a low hill near the renowned Manjunatha temple.

Dimension	Weight
Height: About 39 feet (12 m)	Pedestal: About 13 feet
	Weighs about 175 tonnes