SHRI DHARAMSTHAL TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Shri Chandraprabhu Bhagwan in red color, seated in a lotus posture, of height 36 Cms on a small hill near Dharamasthal village which is also called “Chandranathswami Basti” (Dig).

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

The ancient name of this place was “Kuduma”. In Kannada “Kuduma” means a place of religion. It is said that this temple is more than a thousand years old. The temple was constructed at the instance of the ancestors of the philanthropic Jain families of Sri Biramana Heggade family even today look after the management of the temple without any selfish interest of motive. The present religious head is Sri Virendra Heggade.

Here thousands of Jains and non-Jains are given boarding and lodging facilities without any charge which is both extraordinary and praiseworthy. Always it appears that a festival fair is held here The Dharamasthal Sanstha founded by Sri Heggade family today carries on administration of several colleges, schools, hospitals and Dharamshalas etc., The “God” propitiated here is “Shiv” called by the name of “Sri Manjunathaswami”. The priests belong to Vaishnava sect and the religious head are Jains. Perhaps this is the only temple in India where such co-operation and religious tolerance can by seen as practiced. Devotees belong to almost all religions.

In Heggade Bhavan, there are two other Jain temples. Near the village, on a high hill there is also installed a magnificent idol in a standing posture of Sri Bahubali Bhagwan. This idol was commandeered to be made of Karkal at an expense of millions of Rupees. There is also one Devalay of “Shiv” (Manjunathaswami). Dharamasthal is famous for its natural beauty and sylvan surroundings. The sculpture and other arts in the temples here are worth seeing.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

In South Kannada District in Belantgadi Taluka, 65 KMs away from Mangalore, from Charmadi via Ujire on Mulagiri-Mangalore road, Dharmasthal is 40 Kms away. From all these places buses and taxis are available and thee is a tar road upto the temple.

AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :

There are two Dharamshalas which are named as “Netravati” and “Vaishali” where all arrangements are found for comfortable lodging and boarding for the pilgrims. Dharamshalas of this standard & quality are very rare. They are extremely clean and comfortable. In the village, there are also many other dharamshalas and bhojanshala available.

MANAGED BY :

Shri Dharamasthal Sanstha
P.O. Dharamasthal – 574 216
Dist : South Kannada Karnataka
Tel : 08256-77121/77141/77144.