Enter Dharmasthala, the serene and peaceful 'abode of dharma'. Here you'll find the manifestation of every aspect of dharma - religion, faith, righteousness, duty, charity and justice. Diverse faiths blend seamlessly in Dharmasthala - for here is a Shiva temple with a Vaishnava priest and a Jain administrator, and it traces its origins to the folk cult of spirit worship.
The present administrative head of Dharmasthala is Dr Veerendra Heggade. In a unique tradition known as hoylus (settlement of simple civil disputes), justice is dispensed by Mr Heggade himself.
More than 800 years ago, Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma, where lived a Jain chieftain by the name of Birmanna Peggade and his wife Ammu Ballathi, in their house called Neliyadi Beedu.
The origin of the temple is traced back to about 1513 AD. The linga of Lord Manjunatheswara, brought from Kadri near Mangalore, was consecrated by Sri Vadiraja Swami of Udupi, a Vaishnavaite by faith, at the request of Devaraja Heggade. Sri Vadiraja was a disciple of Saint Madhvacharya, the renowned proponent of Dvaitha (the philosophy of dualism).
The temple architecture is of the ancient Sapta-Konkana region, where the indigenous folk-cults of bhoota worship, Jainism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism had a profound impact, similar to that of Kerala. The original Manjunatha Temple was built with clay, laterite and wood.
Wooden pillars support the large pavilion in front of the shrine. This is called the mukha mantapa. The entrance, a plain three-storeyed structure, belongs to a later period. It has sloping roofs, surmounted by kalashas at the sides.
The deeply revered Manjunatha temple dominates the complex. It has two shrines, which are like pavilions. One sanctum is for Manjunatha, also containing the Nrisimha-saligrama. The other adjacent shrine is for Ammanavaru (representing Goddess Parvati) and the icons of the dharma daivas. In front of the main shrine is the icon of Annappa Daiva. Lord Ganapati stands behind.
Bahubali
The imposing 39-ft statue of Bahubali standing atop the Ratnagiri Hill is impressive for its sheer grandeur. Sculpted by Shri Renjala Gopalakrishna Shenoi, it was completed in 1973 and installed by Smt and Sri Veerendra Heggade in February 1982.
Bahubali, a prince by birth, is revered by the Jains as a symbol of selflessness and supreme sacrifice. The shrine can be reached either by road or by climbing steps. A leisurely climb up the not-so-steep steps takes about 20 minutes. The temple is open from 8-10 am and 6-7 pm.
Annappa Betta
A flight of 30 steps, easily negotiated in 10 minutes of leisurely climb, leads to the shrine of the four daivas who visited the Peggade. There are no icons inside. A peep through a window reveals a swing.
General belief is that it is used by one of the resident daivas. The temple is open only at 8.30 am and 6 pm when the priests perform the puja.
The Manjusha Museum near the Manjunatha Temple has a varied collection of rare items, from antique swords to old cameras. It's worth a visit. Outside the museum, housed in a shed, are some old, skillfully crafted, huge and impressive temple chariots brought from various temples of Karnataka.
The beautiful Chandranathaswamy Temple, a pristine Jain basadi on a small hillock near the Manjunatha Temple, is amongst the most revered Digambara shrines.
Adjacent to the Chandranathswamy Temple is the Neliyadi Beedu, the original residence of the Peggades. A Mahila Udyog Centre near the Manjunatha Temple sells items like honey, pickles and handicrafts that make good gifts.
Accommodation is available only in the temple guest houses and dharmashalas. Rooms are allocated through a computer for a stay of 24 hrs only. Extension is possible on request. There is no system of advance booking.
Annadana at the famous Annapurna dining hall is a unique feature of Dharmasthala, where a simple meal of rice, dal, vegetables and buttermilk is served in the scrupulously clean, airy hall.
Important festivals include the nightlong Mahashivaratri celebrations in March, the annual jatre in April, Pattanajae (from the Tulu word meaning 'last', as this is the last festival held in May before the onset of monsoons), Ganesha festival, Navaratri, Deepavali and Lakshadeepothsava in the month of Karthika (mid-November).
Travel Tips
When to go:
The best time to visit is from October-March.
How to reach:
Frequent State Government and private buses connect Mangalore and Bangalore to Dharmasthala by roads that are fairly good. Nearest railhead and airport are at Mangalore, 70 km away.
Package tour:
KSTDC (Tel: 080-22212098/22275869) has a 5-day package tour from Bangalore by bus covering Sringeri, Horanadu, Dharmasthala, Kukke Subramanya and Kollur. The roads wind down the ghats amidst breathtakingly beautiful scenery of mountains, forests, waterfalls and gurgling streams.
Temple timings:
The temple is open from 6 am-2 pm and 6.30 pm-8.30 pm. The mahamangalarati is at 12 noon and 8.30 pm. Entry in the evening is only with seva ticket.
All information is available at the temple office. Tel: 08256-277121/ 277141; Fax: 08256-277116; E-mail: dvheggade@hotmail.com. dvheggade@sanchamet.in; Website: www.shridharmasthala.org; Postal address: Shri Kshetra, Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada- 574216.
