>Goszei at 20:03, 13 February 2021

2021-02-13T20:03:32Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=January 2009}}
{{cleanup|reason=point of view, duplicate info, reference, grammar|date=November 2015}}
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{{Infobox settlement
| name = Dharmasthala
| official_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = kn
| other_name =
| settlement_type = Temple Town
| image_skyline = Dharmasthala Temple.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Sri Manjunatha Temple, Dharmasthala
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = Karnataka
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Karnataka, India
| coordinates = {{coord|12.951|N|75.371|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type3 = Taluk
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Dakshina Kannada]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Belthangady taluk|Belthangady]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = Local Government
| governing_body = Gram Panchayat
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 9818
| population_metro = 246,494
| population_as_of =
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kannada]]
| demographics1_title2 = Spoken
| demographics1_info2 = [[Tulu language|Tulu]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code = 574 216
| registration_plate = KA-21
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = Belthangady
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
[[File:Gateway of Dharmasthala.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Temple gate built by Sri Ratnavarma Heggade]]
[[File:Dharmasthala 1.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Sri Manjunatha swamy temple]]

'''Dharmasthala''' is an Indian temple town<ref name=volvo/> on the banks of the [[Nethravathi River]] in the [[Belthangady taluk]] of the [[Dakshina Kannada]] district in [[Karnataka]], India.<ref name="Mirror-2008">{{Cite news|date=16 October 2008|title=Dharmasthala - Divine Getaway|newspaper=Bangalore Mirror|url=http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=38&contentid=2008101620081016205847295aa4c16ed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305203812/http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=38&contentid=2008101620081016205847295aa4c16ed|archive-date=5 March 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=2 January 2009}}</ref> It is a [[panchayat village]],<ref>2011 Village Panchayat Code = 220310, {{Cite web|title=Reports of National Panchayat Directory: Village Panchayat Names of Beltangadi, Dakshin Kannad, Karnataka|publisher=Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India|url=http://panchayatdirectory.gov.in/adminreps/viewpansumSQL.asp?selstate=5816&parenttype=B&ptype=V|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430224708/http://panchayatdirectory.gov.in/adminreps/viewpansumSQL.asp?selstate=5816&parenttype=B&ptype=V|archive-date=2013-04-30}}</ref> and it is the only village in its [[gram panchayat]].<ref name="Panchayat-Dir-2011">2011 Census Village code for Dharmasthala = 617673, {{Cite web|title=Reports of National Panchayat Directory: List of Census Villages mapped for: Dharmasthala Gram Panchayat, Beltangadi, Dakshin Kannad, Karnataka|publisher=Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India|url=http://panchayatdirectory.gov.in/adminreps/viewGPmapcvills.asp?gpcode=220310&rlbtype=V|access-date=1 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501061347/http://panchayatdirectory.gov.in/adminreps/viewGPmapcvills.asp?gpcode=220310&rlbtype=V|archive-date=1 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The town is known for its [[Dharmasthala Temple]] which houses the shrine of [[Shiva]], Manjunatha, [[Ammavaru|Ammanavaru]], [[Chandraprabha|Chandranath]] and the Dharma [[Deva (Hinduism)|Daivas]] (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 [[Madhvacharya|Madhva]] order. Lakshadeepa, the festival of lights, is the annual festival of Dharmasthala in November–December.<ref>Lakshadeepa http://www.ourkarnataka.com/temples/dharmasthala2.htm</ref> On an 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 worshiped 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.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}

==Legend==

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, Mangalore|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 as [[Annappa Panjurli]], a local god [[Deva (Hinduism)|deva]] and a hero.

800 years ago, Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma (ಕುಡುಮ) in Mallarmadi,<ref>Managalore Information |http://www.mangalore.com/documents/dharmasthala.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224040039/http://mangalore.com/documents/dharmasthala.html |date=24 February 2009 }}</ref> then a village in Belthangady (ಬೆಳ್ತಂಗಡಿ). 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 (ಶ್ರೀ ಮಂಜುನಾಥೇಶ್ವರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ) from Kadri, near Mangalore. Subsequently, the Manjunatha temple was built around the linga.

Around the 16th century, Shri Devaraja Heggade invited Shri [[Vadiraja|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 people|Tulu]] lineage (Heggade being a derivative from Tulu word Pergade). Today's Dharmasthala blossoms with the fruit of this selfless dedication.

==Museums==
[[File:Manjusha Car Museum.JPG|thumb|Manjusha Car Museum]]
Sri Manjunatheshwara Cultural and Research foundation, started by the Temple committee, is engaged in preserving ancient manuscripts and paintings.<ref name=vision/> A museum of antique objects has been established called "[[Manjusha Museum]]" and a car museum houses a rare collection of vintage cars.<ref name=vision/>

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

== Chandranatha basadi ==
[[File:Chandranatha basadi.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Chandranatha basadi in Dharmasthala]]

==Bahubali statue==
[[File:Towering Grace.jpg|200px|right|thumb|The [[Gomateshwara]] statue at Dharmasthala]]
In 1973, a statue of Lord [[Bahubali]], carved out of a single rock, was installed at Dharmasthala on a low hill near the Manjunatha Temple. It is about 39 feet (12 m) high, has a 13 feet high pedestal and weighs about 175 tonnes. This is one of the five stone statues of Bahubali in Karnataka.<ref>http://www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=86311</ref><ref name=venur>{{cite news|title=Venur's Bhagawan Bahubali all set up for Century's 2nd Mahamastakabhisheka|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/venurs-bhagawan-bahubali-all-set-up-for-centurys-2nd-mahamastakabhisheka/article2839365.ece|access-date=16 October 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=28 January 2012}}</ref>

==Social Service==

=== Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project ===
One project is called Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, which organizes activities for rural development. Its employees go to villages to make small groups called Shree Shakti Sangha and provide bank loans to group members for business. They ensure supply of drinking water to villages in summer.

===Mass Marriages===
To fight the [[dowry]] system and to cut unnecessary expenses involved in the celebration of marriages, Dr. [[Veerendra Heggade]] (ಡಾ|| ವೀರೇಂದ್ರ ಹೆಗ್ಗಡೆ) started free mass marriages in 1972. Annual mass marriages are held usually during April every year.<ref name=mass>{{cite news|title=Mass marriage at Dharmastala today|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/66728/mass-marriage-dharmastala-today.html|access-date=16 October 2013|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=29 April 2013}}</ref> As of 2013, 10,698 couples have been married in mass marriages arranged by the Dharmasthala Temple Committee.<ref name=mass/> The expenses of the wedding dress, the mangalasutra and a wedding feast for a limited number of the couple's guests are borne by the Shri Kshetra.<ref name=vision>{{cite web|title=Dharmasthala|url=http://www.karnatakavision.com/dharmasthala.php|publisher=karnatakavision.com|access-date=16 October 2013}}</ref>

===Anna dana (ಅನ್ನದಾನ)===
The average number of pilgrims per day to the temple is about 10,000. Every one of the pilgrims who visits Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala is treated like an honored guest, irrespective of caste, creed, culture or status. The "Anna Dana" (Food Donation) is one of the impressive aspects of this place. Free food is provided to the devotees. The temple has modern machinery. It makes quality food continuously, throughout the day. The dining hall is known as "Annapurna".

===Vidya dana (ವಿದ್ಯಾ ದಾನ)===
Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala, by the [[SDMCET]] Society, manages 25 educational institutions, ranging from primary schools, Gurukulas to teach yoga, Sanskrit, etc., to colleges having professional courses in engineering, medicine and dental science in Dharmasthala, [[SDM College, Ujire|Ujire]], [[Mangalore]], [[Udupi]], [[Dharwad]], [[Hassan, Karnataka|Hassan]], [[Mysore]] and a few other places in the state of Karnataka.

The Siddavana Gurukula started by Late Shri Manjayya Heggade has become a model educational institution. Over 250 students are provided free lodging and board and learn Yoga & Sanskrit, in addition to the basic school curriculum. The speciality of this institution is its endeavor to teach values based on Indian culture.

====Educational institutions====
Several educational institutes are managed by the temple trust committee:
*[[SDM College, Ujire]]
*[[SDM College of Engineering and Technology]], [[Dharwad]]
*[[SDM College of Medical Sciences]], [[Dharwad]]
*[[SDM College of Dental Sciences]], [[Dharwad]]
*MMK and SDM Women’s College, [[Mysore]]
*SDM Institute for Management Development, [[Mysore]]
*SDM Law College, [[Mangalore]]
*SDM BBM College, [[Mangalore]]
*SDM Ayurvedic College, [[Udupi]]
*SDM Secondary School, [[Ujire]]
*SDM English Medium School, [[Ujire]]
*SDM College of Ayurveda, [[Hassan, Karnataka|Hassan]]
*SDM Ayurveda Hospital, [[Hassan, Karnataka|Hassan]]
*Ruthnumaanusa Vidyaarthi Nilaya, [[Ujire]]
*SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, [[Ujire]]
*SDM College of Engineering and Technology, [[Ujire]]
*SDM Industrial Training Centre, [[Vennuru]]
*SDM [[Mungulla Jyoti Integrated School]], [[Vamanjoor]]
*SDM College of Arts and Science, [[Honnavar]]

===Aushadhi daana (ಔಷಧ ದಾನ)===
In the field of [[health care]], the medical trust provides services to eradicate and [[prevention (medical)|prevent]] many diseases. The mobile hospital is equipped to deal with [[medical emergency|emergencies]] and to provide medical treatment to the people in remote parts of the [[Malenadu]] area. A modern [[tuberculosis]] sanitorium was built by Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Medical Trust to give relief to patients of tuberculosis. It has since been converted into a general [[hospital]]. The Ayurvedic Hospitals at [[Udupi]] and [[Hassan, Karnataka|Hassan]] provide Ayurvedic medicines as per the ancient texts. The Nature Cure Hospital, built on the banks of the Netravati River, uses a system based on the five elements of Air, Earth, Ether, Water and Light.

SDM Eye Hospital at [[Mangalore]] is a modern, scientific [[ophthalmology|eye treatment]] center. The SDM Dental Hospital both serves regular dental needs and also provides specialized treatments such as [[oral implant]]s, surgery for [[cleft lip]] and other [[orthodontic]] surgeries.

Shri Heggede has been actively involved in propagating the practice of [[Yoga]], the ancient system of [[physical fitness|fitness]]. Surya Namaskar Camps are regularly organized, where Yoga is taught. Further, 250 high school teachers are trained in Yoga every year.

==Heggade family==
The present head of Dharmasthala, [[Padma Vibhushan]] Dr. D. [[Veerendra Heggade]], the 21st in succession to the Dharmadhikari Peetha, has launched several socio-economic programmes such as free mass weddings which were started in 1973.

Dharmasthala is among the few pilgrim centers in India that provides boarding and lodging to all the visiting devotees at a minimum cost.

==Transportation==

=== By Road ===
Dharmasthala is well connected by road. State-owned KSRTC & also private companies provide bus service from several centers of Karnataka.<ref name=volvo>{{cite news|title=Volvo bus service to Dharmasthala|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/volvo-bus-service-to-dharmasthala/article5217851.ece|access-date=16 October 2013|newspaper=The Hindu Business Line|date=9 October 2013}}</ref>

=== By Train ===
Mangalore Railway Station is the nearest railway junction to Dharmasthala, situated at a distance of about 74 km. The railway station is well connected to all the major cities and towns in India. Travellers can hire taxis/cabs or take buses to reach Dharmasthala from [[Mangalore]].

=== By Air ===
Mangalore Airport serves as the nearest domestic and international airport for tourists heading to Dharmasthala. Earlier known as the Bajpe Airport, it is situated at a distance of about 65 km from Dharmasthala. The flights connect to major Middle East destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc. Besides, it is also ideal for travellers coming from Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Kochi, Calicut and other major Indian destinations.

==Places of interest nearby==
[[File:Temple Near Dharmasthala.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A temple near 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.[[Kalasa]], [[Sringeri]] and [[Horanadu]] are less than 100 km from here.
Health Facility nearby: Shree Dhanvantari Chikitsalaya, vaishnavi complex, opposite ram mandir, Kanyadi. Service available 24 hours on any emergencies. It is general clinic for primary treatment for any illness

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dharmasthala}}
* [http://shridharmasthala.org Official website]
* [http://www.skdrdpindia.org/ Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project]

{{Hindu holy cities in India}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Dakshina Kannada district]]
[[Category:Colossal Jain statues in India]]

Dharmasthala - Revision history

>Goszei at 20:03, 13 February 2021