Dharmasthala

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Dharmasthala Shree Kshetra
—  temple town  —
Sri Manjunatha Temple, Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 12°57′36″N 75°22′42″E / 12.9601200°N 75.3783600°E / 12.9601200; 75.3783600Coordinates: 12°57′36″N 75°22′42″E / 12.9601200°N 75.3783600°E / 12.9601200; 75.3783600
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Dakshina Kannada
Taluka	Belthangadi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Nearest city	Belthangadi
Website	www.shridharmasthala.org

Sri Manjunatha swamy temple

The Gomateshwara statue at Dharmasthala

Temple gate built by Sri.Ratnavarma Heggade

Chandranatha basadi in Dharmasthala

A temple near Dharmasthala

Dharmasthala(Kannada:ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳ) is an Indian temple village on the banks of the Nethravathi River in the Belthangadi taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, India.^[1] It is also a panchayat village,^[2] and it is the only village in its gram panchayat.^[3]

The village is known for its Dharmasthala Temple which houses the shrine of Shiva,Manjunatha, Ammanavaru, Chandranath and the Dharma Daivas (Guardian Spirits of Dharma) namely 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 Madhva order. Lakshadeepa- the festival of lights is the annual festival of Dharmasthala comes off in November–December.^[4] 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 worshipped 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 - an over 800 year old local lineage - dispense judgements that are said to represent the will of the deities.^{[citation needed]}

There are reportedly free hostelries that provide food and shelter.^{[citation needed]}

Legend [edit]

It has been told in Dharmasthala that the Shiva Linga in Dharmasthala was brought to Dharmasthala by a Daiva, a local deity with significant supernatural 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. Surprisingly next day morning, by the time all woke up, he had already established the linga in Dharmasthala, a few metres away from Heggade's house.

Later it was known that the Linga was from 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 and a hero.

Dharmasthala has not been content being a source of inspiration to the devout. Having expanded the meaning of Dharma to encompasses the advancement of society at large, it has played an active role in bettering the lives of communities far and wide. Its initiatives have aimed at renewing the Paid and hope within, so that people may be helped to help themselves.

800 Years ago, Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma in Mallarmadi,^[5] then a village in Belthangady. Here lived the Jain Chieftain Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballathi in a house called Nelliadi Beedu. Simple, pious and affectionate people, the pergade family was known for its generosity and hospitality to all.

According to the legend, the guardian angels of Dharma assumed human forms and arrived at pergade's abode in search of a place where Dharma was being practiced and could be continued and propagated. As was their habit, the pergade couple hosted these illustrious visitors with all their wherewithal, and great respect. Pleased by their sincerity and generosity, that night the Dharma Daivas appeared in the dreams of Pergade. They explained the purpose of their visit to him and instructed him to vacate his house for the worship of the Daivas and dedicate his life to the propagation of Dharma.

Asking no questions, the Pergade built himself another house and began worshiping the Daivas at Nelliadi Beedu. This continues even today. As they continued their worship and their practice of hospitality, the Dharma Daivas again appeared before the Pergade to build separate shrines to consecrate the four Daivas — Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumaraswamy and Kanyakumari. Also, Pergade was instructed to choose two persons of noble birth to act as the Daivas's oracles and four worthy persons to assist Pergade in his duties as the Executive Head of the Shrines. The oracles of Daivas are called Delampadithaya and Manavolithaya. In return, the Daivas promised Pergade protection for his family, abundance of charity and renown for the Kshetra. Pergade, as desired, built the shrines and invited Brahman priests to perform the rituals. These priests requested Pergade to also install a Shivalinga beside the native Daivas. The Daivas then sent their vassal Annappa Swamy to procure the linga of Lord Manjunatheshwara from Kadri, near Mangalore. Subsequently, the Manjunatha temple was built around the linga.

Around the 16th Century, Devaraja Heggade invited Shri 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 vedic rites. Shri Heggade then requested the Swamiji to reconsecrate the Shivalinga himself. After doing so, Swamiji arranged for the pujas for the Shivalinga according to Madhwa practices. Shri Vadiraja swami then renamed the place to Dharmastahala.

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 600 Years ago have been nurtured and strengthened by the Heggade family, Heggade being a derivative from Pergade. And today's Dharmasthala blossoms with the fruit of this selfless dedication.

Anna dānā [edit]

The average flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people everyday.Every one of the thousands of pilgrims who daily visit shri Kshetra Dharmasthala is an honored guest irrespective of caste, creed, culture or status. The "Anna Daana"(free food) is perhaps one of the most impressive events that takes place at the holy temple. Free food is provided to devotees who come in thousands every day. The temple has modern machinery and makes quality food continuously throughout the day. Temple does not differentiate between the rich and the poor for the Anna Dhaana. The dining hall is known as "Annapoorna" .

Vidya dānā [edit]

Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala by the SDMCET Society manages a 25 institutions ranging from primary schools, Gurukula to teach yoga, Sanskrit, and professional courses in Engineering, Medicine, and Dental Sciences in Dharmasthala, Ujire, Mangalore, Udupi, Dharwad, Hassan, Mysore and other places of Karnataka state.

The Siddavana gurukula started by the Late Manjayya Heggade has become a model educational institution. Over 250 students are provided free lodging and boarding and learn yoga, Sanskrit in addition to basic school curriculum. The specialty of this institution is its endeavor to teach values based on Indian Culture.

Museums [edit]

Visitors to Dharmasthala, do not miss to see the two museums. The Manjusha museum has a unique collection of heritage objects and artifacts, this museum is open till 9.00 PM. The other one the Car museum which has a unique collection of cars, please make a note of the timings of the car museum it is 8.30 AM - 1.00 PM and 2.00 PM to 7.00 PM to avoid getting disappointed.

Educational Institutions [edit]

• 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 http://www.sdmcbm.ac.in/
• SDM Ayurvedic college, Udupi
• SDM Secondary School, Ujire
• SDM English Medium School, Ujire
• SDM College of Ayurveda, Hassan
• SDM Ayurveda Hospital, Hassan
• Rathnamanasa Vidhyarthi Nilaya, Ujire
• SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire
• SDM College of Engineering and Technology, Ujire
• SDM Industrial Training Centre, Venur

Aushada dānā [edit]

In the field of health care, the medical trust also provides services to eradicate and prevent many diseases in local villages. The mobile hospital established by poojya shri Heggade is fully equipped to deal with emergencies and to provide medical treatment to the rural folk in remote parts of the Malnad area. A modern tuberculosis sanitorium was built by Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Medical Trust to give relief to the patients of tuberculosis. It has since been converted into a general hospital. The Ayurvedic Hospitals at Udupi and Hassan provide Ayurvedic medicines as per the ancient text. The Nature Cure Hospital, built on the banks of the Netravathi 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 eye treatment centre. The SDM Dental Hospital serves regular dental needs and provides specialised treatments such as oral implants, surgery for cleft lip and other orthodontic surgeries.

Shri Heggade has been actively involved in propagating the practice of Yoga, the ancient system of fitness. Surya Namaskara Camps are regularly organised where Yoga is taught. Further 250 high school teachers are trained in Yoga every year, who in turn teach at least 100 students each.

Abhaya dānā [edit]

Free mass weddings which were started in 1972 have gained popularity. Every year hundreds of couples are getting married (Saamoohika Vivaha Mahotsava) here. Following the tradition of the Kshetra where all religions and castes are welcome, hundreds of couples are married in accordance with their personal religious rite. The expenses of the wedding dress, Mangalsutra and Wedding feast for a limited number of the couple's guests are borne by the Kshetra^[6]

Heggade family [edit]

The present head of Dharmasthala, Padmabhushan 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.

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 foot (12 m) high and weighs about 175 tonnes.

More than 25 institutions from primary schools to professional colleges are run in and around Dharmasthala. Old and decrepit temples have been renovated, to preserve the traditional architecture. Ancient manuscripts and paintings have been painstakingly restored and preserved for posterity. A museum of antique objects has been established called "Manjusha Museum". A car museum houses a rare collection of vintage cars. Every year, a Sarva Dharma Sammelan (multi religious meet) is held at Dharmasthala, which attracts spiritual leaders from various faiths and schools, and patrons of art and literature.

Dharmasthala is also among of the few pilgrim centers in India which provides free boarding and lodging to all the visiting devotees.

References [edit]

Karnataka State Gazetteer 1983.

External links [edit]

• http://shridharmasthala.org

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