About Dharmasthala
A unique abode of Dharma where Lord Shiva is worshipped by Vaishnava priests and administered by Jains.
Dharmasthala is a renowned temple town on the banks of the Nethravathi River. It represents religious tolerance and charity. The presiding deity is Manjunatha Swamy (Shiva). The temple is run by the Heggade family (Jains) for centuries, and the priests are Madhwa Brahmins.
History & Significance
800 years ago, the polite chieftain Birmanna Heggade lived here. Four guardian angels of Dharma appeared in his dream and asked him to vacate his house for them and dedicate his life to Dharma. He obliged.
Later, the angels asked him to build a shrine. The Linga was brought from Kadri by Annappa Panjurli (a local Daiva). The place was originally called Kuduma. In the 16th century, Vadiraja Tirtha of Udupi visited and consecrated the idol, renaming the place "Dharmasthala" (The Abode of Dharma).
The uniqueness lies in the Heggade family's role. The "Dharma Adhikari" (currently Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade) sits in a judgement hall to settle civil dispures, a tradition that continues to this day.
