Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, on the banks of the Nethravathi river in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, is one of the most revered pilgrimage centres of South India. It is the abode of Lord Shiva as Sri Manjunatha Swamy. As its name suggests – Dharma-sthala, "the abode of righteousness" – it is known as a place of faith, charity and harmony, where lakhs of pilgrims come every year to seek the Lord's blessings.
Main Deity – Sri Manjunatha Swamy
The presiding deity is Lord Shiva worshipped as Sri Manjunatha, in the form of a Shiva Lingam. Alongside the Lord, the temple honours the guardian spirits of the kshetra – the Dharma Daivas – and the Tirthankara Chandranatha, reflecting the unique traditions of the place.
A Unique Harmony of Traditions
Dharmasthala is admired for bringing different traditions together in one sacred place. The Lord is Shiva, worshipped according to Vedic rites by priests of the Madhva tradition, while the temple has for generations been looked after by the Heggade family, who are Jains and serve as the hereditary Dharmadhikari (custodian) of the kshetra. This spirit of harmony between faiths is at the heart of Dharmasthala.
Sthala Puranam (Legend)
According to tradition, the place was once the home of a pious Jain chieftain, Birmanna Pergade, and his wife Ammu Ballalthi, known for their generous hospitality. The guardian spirits of dharma appeared before them and asked that the house be dedicated to the practice of dharma and to the service of all who came. The family devoted their lives to this. Later, at the request of these divine guardians, a Shiva Lingam was brought from the Kadri Manjunatha temple near Mangaluru and installed here, and the Lord came to be worshipped as Sri Manjunatha. In the 16th century, the shrine was consecrated anew by the great saint Sri Vadiraja Tirtha.
Annadanam – Free Meals for All
Dharmasthala is famous for its annadanam. Thousands of pilgrims – and on festival days, many more – are served free meals every day in the temple's great dining halls, without any distinction of caste, creed or status. Feeding the hungry is regarded here as one of the highest forms of worship, part of the kshetra's tradition of four kinds of charity: food, medicine, education and freedom from fear (anna, aushadha, vidya and abhaya dana). Pilgrims are also offered simple accommodation, and community weddings are held at the kshetra.
Festivals
- Lakshadeepotsava (Karthika, November–December): the grandest festival of the year, when the temple and its surroundings are lit with lakhs of lamps. It is accompanied by gatherings on literature and on harmony among religions, and draws huge crowds.
- Maha Shivaratri (February–March): devotees worship the Lord through the night, and many walk to Dharmasthala on foot as an act of devotion.
- Karthika Masam (October–November): special pujas and lamps throughout the month.
Other Sights at Dharmasthala
- Sri Bahubali (Gommateshwara): a tall monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali stands on a hillock near the temple.
- Manjusha Museum: a museum with a rich collection of art, antiques and heritage objects, and a vintage car museum nearby.
- Nethravathi river: many pilgrims bathe in the sacred river before darshan.
Temple Timings
- The temple is generally open in the morning and again in the evening, with a break in the afternoon.
- Timings change during Lakshadeepotsava and festival days. Please check the official website before your visit.
How to Reach
By Road: Dharmasthala is about 75 km from Mangaluru and close to Ujire. KSRTC and private buses run frequently from Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hassan and Puttur.
By Train: the nearest railway stations are Mangaluru and Puttur, with buses and taxis onward to Dharmasthala.
By Air: the nearest airport is Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), about 75 km away.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional, modest dress is expected; men generally remove their shirts and vests before entering the temple, and women wear a saree or churidar.
- Annadanam: plan your visit around meal times to receive the prasadam meal.
- Stay: the kshetra provides accommodation for pilgrims; book in advance for festival days.
- Nearby places: Sri Bahubali statue, Manjusha Museum, Suryanarayana temple at Ujire, and the coastal temples of the region on this site – the Kukke Shri Subrahmanya Temple and the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha.
