Popular Temple
Sri Manjunatha Temple, Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka
Where Hindu and Jain traditions have been worshipped together for centuries, managed by the Heggade family
At a glance
- Location
- Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka
- Presiding deity
- Lord Manjunatha (Shiva), alongside Jain Tirthankaras and the deity Annappa Swamy
- Temple type
- Popular Temple
- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Nearest railway station
- Mangalore Junction (~74 km); Subrahmanya Road (~55 km, a smaller alternative)
- Nearest airport
- Mangalore International Airport (~75 km)
- Best time to visit
- October to February; the Laksha Deepotsava (October-November) is celebrated with particular grandeur.
History
Dharmasthala's most distinctive feature is that while the Shiva temple's priests are Vedic Brahmins, the temple's administration has been managed by a Jain family (the Heggades) for roughly eight centuries — a rare, living example of Hindu-Jain harmony. Set on the banks of the Netravati river, the temple is also renowned for the worship of the Dharma Devatas (Kala-Rahu, Kalarkayi, Kumaraswamy, and Annappa Swamy).
Spiritual significance
Dharmasthala is also known for its free communal meals (anna seva) and free mass-wedding services, feeding thousands of devotees and travellers daily.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, with a brief midday break.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
From Mangalore Junction, Dharmasthala is roughly a 2-2.5 hour taxi or bus ride away; direct regular bus services also run from Mangalore.
Continue your Shiva bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.