Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple - Lord Shiva

Set in sylvan surroundings on the lower slopes of the Western Ghats, this well known pilgrimage center is an interesting amalgam of faiths, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Manjunatheshwara. The Manjunatha Temple is a prominent Shaivite Center, that has Madhwa Vaishnava priests and is administered by a hereditary Jain family, the Heggades. The history of the temples goes back to some 800 years ago, when the region was known as Kuduma. There lived a Jain Chieftain Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballalthi in a house called Nelyadi Beedu. They were known for their generosity and hospitality to all. The guardian angels of Dharma assumed human forms and arrived at their house in search of a place where Dharma was being practiced. The couple hosted these visitors with great respect.

Pleased by their generosity, they explained the purpose of their visit to him and instructed them to vacate their house for them. Asking no questions, they vacated their house and moved to another house nearby. After some time, the Dharma Daivas again appeared before Birmanna Pergade to build separate shrines for four Dharma Daivas – Kalarahu, Kalarkai, Kumaraswamy and Kanyakumari. Also, Pergade was instructed to appoint four worthy persons to assist him in his duties as the Executive Head of the shrines. In return, the Daivas promised Pergade family protection and abundance of charity. As ordained, Pergade built the shrines and invited Brahmin priests to perform the rituals. These priests requested Pergade to also install a Shivalinga beside the native Daivas. Manjunatha Swamy of Kadri near Mangalore, was chosen as the deity. The temple and the place was then named as ‘Dharmasthala’, which means the ‘abode of righteousness and faith’.

The architectural style of the temple replicates Kerala style of inherent simplicity, coupled with a lavish use of wood, stone and metals. The temple is square in shape with a pyramidal roof. It is located on the banks of Nethravathi river surrounded by the lush green forests. The rarest tradition is that the priests here are Shivalli Vaishnavite Brahmins, doing rituals to Lord Shiva. The place is also famous for its Bahubali monolithic statue of 39 feet height and weighing more than 210 tons. Also, there is a basadi (temple) for Shri Chandranatha Swamy, who was a revered leader in Jainism. Confluence of various religions is the evidence of the tolerance and spirit of Dharmasthala.