Splendid Charity Of Dharmashthala
Dharmashthala is famous for Lord Shiva temple. The place is located on the banks of Nethravathi River. It is in Belthangadi Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. The holy shrine is popularly known as Manjunatheshwara. The golden Lingam adds creeds to this place. Yearly large numbers of people from all parts of India pay homage at this place irrespective of the caste.
The other deities of this temple are Shri Ammanavaru, Lord Ganapati, Lord Annappa and Four Dharma Daivas (Kalarahu, Kalarkaayi, Kanyakumari and Kumaraswamy). The temple is administrated by Jain community and priests of this temple belong to Vaishnavaite Brahmins. You can hire a bus to visit nearby places.
Legend of the temple
This temple holds 800 years of history. It is understood from the history, that a Jain Heggade couple, who were kind and piety towards people impressed the four Dharma Daivas very much. The God appeared in their dream and assured to stay at Kuduma. So, a temple was raised for the Dharma Daivas and was worshipped by the Heggade family.
Later a saint named Annappa brought Shiva Lingam from Kadri, Mangalore to Dharmashthala. Heggade family built the temple for Lord Shiva.
When to visit
There are many festivals celebrated in this temple all around the year. Important festivals are:
€ On Mahashivarathari day special pujas are performed to Lord Shiva. Bhajans and Rathothsava last up to late night.
€ During Ganapati festival pujas are offered to the Lord and foods are served at Annapoorna Choultry.
€ On Deepavali, idols of the Gods are taken on procession during car festival.
€ Navaratri is celebrated grandly on all the nine days of the festival. Special pujas to Ammanavaru shrine and sarees are distributed to married women.
€ Nadavali is celebrated once in 12 years and the festival last up to 13 days
€ Lakshadeepotsava is done during November/December (Kartika month of Hindus). Where the entire temple premises is illuminated with lamps.
Charities of Dharmashthala
€ SDMCET Society of Dharmashthala manages educational institutions such as primary school, engineering, dental and medical colleges in various parts of Karnataka.
€ Medical trust provides medical treatments in local villages and also offers speciality treatments.
€ Every year free mass weddings are conducted. Hundreds of couples are married through this ceremony in accordance with their religious rites.
Nearby places of interest
€ Mangalore
€ Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateel
€ Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
€ Ram Mandir near Nethravathi River bank
€ Kukke Subrahmanya
Food & Accommodation
As the name suggests this place is well known for its charity. Free meals are offered to devotees round the clock at Annapoorna Choultry (dining hall). Free lodging facilities are provided to the visitors of the temple with basic amenities. Apart from these, guest houses also offered by the management.
How to reach Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala is about 325 kms from Bangalore. The possible route map from Bangalore is through Nelamangala €" Kunigal €" Hassan €" Sakaleshpura. There are regular bus services to this temple from all parts of Karnataka such as Udupi, Mangalore, Subrahmanya, Bangalore and Kundapur. Online booking of bus tickets services are provided by KSRTC and many private bus operators. So, you can buy bus tickets easily through online system.
The other deities of this temple are Shri Ammanavaru, Lord Ganapati, Lord Annappa and Four Dharma Daivas (Kalarahu, Kalarkaayi, Kanyakumari and Kumaraswamy). The temple is administrated by Jain community and priests of this temple belong to Vaishnavaite Brahmins. You can hire a bus to visit nearby places.
Legend of the temple
This temple holds 800 years of history. It is understood from the history, that a Jain Heggade couple, who were kind and piety towards people impressed the four Dharma Daivas very much. The God appeared in their dream and assured to stay at Kuduma. So, a temple was raised for the Dharma Daivas and was worshipped by the Heggade family.
Later a saint named Annappa brought Shiva Lingam from Kadri, Mangalore to Dharmashthala. Heggade family built the temple for Lord Shiva.
When to visit
There are many festivals celebrated in this temple all around the year. Important festivals are:
€ On Mahashivarathari day special pujas are performed to Lord Shiva. Bhajans and Rathothsava last up to late night.
€ During Ganapati festival pujas are offered to the Lord and foods are served at Annapoorna Choultry.
€ On Deepavali, idols of the Gods are taken on procession during car festival.
€ Navaratri is celebrated grandly on all the nine days of the festival. Special pujas to Ammanavaru shrine and sarees are distributed to married women.
€ Nadavali is celebrated once in 12 years and the festival last up to 13 days
€ Lakshadeepotsava is done during November/December (Kartika month of Hindus). Where the entire temple premises is illuminated with lamps.
Charities of Dharmashthala
€ SDMCET Society of Dharmashthala manages educational institutions such as primary school, engineering, dental and medical colleges in various parts of Karnataka.
€ Medical trust provides medical treatments in local villages and also offers speciality treatments.
€ Every year free mass weddings are conducted. Hundreds of couples are married through this ceremony in accordance with their religious rites.
Nearby places of interest
€ Mangalore
€ Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateel
€ Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
€ Ram Mandir near Nethravathi River bank
€ Kukke Subrahmanya
Food & Accommodation
As the name suggests this place is well known for its charity. Free meals are offered to devotees round the clock at Annapoorna Choultry (dining hall). Free lodging facilities are provided to the visitors of the temple with basic amenities. Apart from these, guest houses also offered by the management.
How to reach Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala is about 325 kms from Bangalore. The possible route map from Bangalore is through Nelamangala €" Kunigal €" Hassan €" Sakaleshpura. There are regular bus services to this temple from all parts of Karnataka such as Udupi, Mangalore, Subrahmanya, Bangalore and Kundapur. Online booking of bus tickets services are provided by KSRTC and many private bus operators. So, you can buy bus tickets easily through online system.
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