Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma in Mallarmadi, Shree Vadiraja Swami of Udupi named the place “Dharmasthala” as he was pleased by the ceremonial of the vedic rites and Heggade’s charity to all. During the 16th Century, Shree Vadiraja Swamiji was invited by Devaraja Heggade to visit this place. Swamiji accepted the invitation and visited the place. During his visit Swamiji he refused to accept ‘Bhiksha’ because the idol of lord Manjunatha had not been consecrated according to Vedic rites. Shree Devaraja Heggade requested the Swamiji to re-consecrate the Shivalinga. Swamiji agreed to Heggade’s request and consecrated the shivalinga.
Heggade’s (followers of Jain religion) guardian the Shree Manjunatha Temple in Dharmasthala. In Dharmasthala, Heggades dispenses justice without any legal formality or argument acting in the tradition of his ancestral role as the Heggade and representing the presiding deity. Shri Veerendra Heggade is the present Dharma Adhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala the hereditary administrator of Dharmasthala Shree Manjunatha temple. Please visit the following link for more information about the temple http://www.Shreedharmasthala.org/pages/history.html.
Lord Shiva is worshipped as Lord Manjunatheshwara along with Shri Ammanavaru, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Annappa and Four Dharma Daivas: Kalarahu, Kalarkaayi, Kanyakumari and Kumaraswamy. Throughout the year ‘Annadaana’ is offered to thousands of pilgrims who visit the kshetra every day. Some of the major festivals of Dharmasthala are ‘Lakshadeepotsava’, ‘Shivarathri’, and ‘Mahamasthakaabhisheka’.
Other shrines that can be visited in Dharmasthala are:
- The statue of Shri Bahubali at Ratnagiri Hill
- Maha Ganpathy Temple at Annapoorna Choultry
- Annappa Swami Temple in Badinade Hill
- The Neliyadi Beedu: The original abode of the Heggades and the Dharma Daivas.
- Shrine of Shri Chandranatha Swami at Sri Chandranatha Basadi
- Ram Mandir (on the banks of river Nethravathi)
Shree Kshetra is also famous for Vintage car museum, Manjusha vastu sangrahalaya (museum), Pushpa vatika and Vasantha Mahal – Cultural Hall
Dharmasthala is 325 km from Bangalore (via National Highway NH-48) and the nearest airport is Mangalore Airport situated around 75 km away.
Temples of South India 