Visit Sri Kshethra Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka: The 800 Years Old Temple of Lord Shiva (2024)

India is a land of temples. No matter wherever you go in the country, you surely will be able to find a temple. The Dharmasthala Temple is one such beautiful and historic temple that the country boasts of having. Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala is believed to be the land of piety and righteousness. It is considered as one of the most renowned religious landmarks of southern India. The land is known to have a rich history which is as old as 800 years. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva.

Dharmasthala temple is located in the popular Dakshina Kannada district of the temple town of Dharmasthala. The name Dharmasthala itself means the abode of dharma or the quintessence of humanity and faith. Beseeched by Vaishnava priests and administered by Jain descendants, Lord Manjunatheshwara is worshipped in a very exceptional and unique manner at this temple. In this article, we have gathered important information which you must know before visiting this amazing tourist place in Karnataka.

Why Should You Visit the Dharmasthala Temple?

Though the Dharmasthala temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, it also houses many idols other than the primary deity. You can find idols like Dharma Daivas and Shakti or Ammanavaru as well as the four guardian spirits of Lord Dharma including Kalarkayi, Kumaraswamy, Kanyakumari and Kalarahu. The Dharmasthala temple is surely unique and hence there are several reasons as to why you should visit it. They are:

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Interesting History of Dharmasthala Temple: If the stories are to be believed, the Dharmasthala temple area was originally in Kududma village in Belthangady. The famous Jain Bunt chief, Birmanna Pergade used to reside in his house Nelliadi along with his wife. It is believed one day four guardian angels of Lord Dharma masked themselves as humans and visited the house. They received a warm welcome and the chief even agreed to vacate the house for them. Finally, they ended up making four different shrines for the guardian angels. After the shrines were made, Brahman priests were invited here to conduct rituals. They recommended Pergade to construct a Shivalinga too. Hence, the temple was formed.

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Festivities and Celebrations: The Dharmasthala temple is known to celebrate a number of festivals including the Ganesha festival, Navarathri, Shivratri and Diwali. Other than these, the Pattanajae Jatre is also celebrated in the month of April. Laksha Deepotsava or Festival of Lights is another significant festival celebrated here towards the end of year. A wide variety of cultural activities are arranged here too.

Climbing a Hill: Whether you give it the name of thrill or religion but your visit to Dharmasthala temple is incomplete without heading to the Badinede Betta hill. On top of this hill is the famous shrine and dwelling place of the four guardian angels. This climb will be totally worth it.

Stunning Architecture: The temple sports a Kerala temple style architecture which is quite unique as it follows suit and has an inherent simplicity. Apart from a distinct architectural style, the temple has a lavish use of wood, metals and stone. With a square plan and a pyramidal roof, the temple architecture is worth admiring.

The Dharmasthala Temple Timings

Address: Sri Kshetra, Daramasthala, Karnataka 574216

Topping the list of tourist places to visit in Karnataka, the Dharmasthala temple is open on all days of the week. The timings of the temple are:

• Monday 6.30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8.30 PM
• Tuesday 6.30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8.30 PM
• Wednesday 6.30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8.30 PM
• Thursday 6.30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8.30 PM
• Friday 6.30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8.30 PM
• Saturday 6.30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8.30 PM
• Sunday 6.30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8.30 PM

Also, on special occasions the temple timings may differ, so check them before visiting!

What Is The Best Way To Reach The Dharmasthala Temple?

The Dharmasthala temple is one of the top tourist places to visit in Karnataka. You will be pleased to know that the temple can be easily accessed from different places via several modes of transport. You can reach by:

1. By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is the Mangalore Airport. It is located at a distance of about 60 km. This airport offers domestic flights. The closest international airport is the Kempegowda international airport. It is located about 300 km away from the temple.
2. By Rail: The nearest railway station to the temple is the Mangalore railway station. However, if you are looking for a major station, then Bangalore railway station is also not too far. People often use both for boarding trains to reach the Dharmasthala temple.
3. By Road: Dharmasthala is situated at a distance of about 300 km from Bangalore and around 65 km from Mangalore. It is well connected via roads too. Regular bus services run to Dharmasthala from many neighbouring cities at frequent intervals.

Best Time To Visit The Dharmasthala Temple

For the best experience, it is recommended to visit the Dharmasthala temple between the months of October and February. The weather is just perfect during this period.

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Stay Options Near The Dharmasthala Temple

For those who wish to stay a bit longer, there are many good accommodation options. Some of the hotels that you can consider staying at near the Dharmasthala temple are- Hotel Nethravathi Lodge (about 0.17 km away), Riviera Eco Stay (about 9.33 km away) and Stream of Joy (about 12.71 km away).

What Are The Different Places To See Near The Dharmasthala Temple?

If you are done visiting the Dharmasthala temple, then you have to get bored. Many other great tourist places to visit in Karnataka are located closely. Some places you can visit are:

1. Sri Kukke Subramanya Shrine: Located at a distance of about 55 km from the Dharmasthala temple, this is one significant temple for Hindu devotees. The temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanya who is believed to be the son of Hindu God, Lord Shiva.
   
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2. The Manjusha Museum: Situated pretty close to the temple, this museum is a pretty informative place to visit. It is a storehouse of swords, vintage cars, armours, old cameras and many more items from the collection of Sri Veerendra Heggade.
   
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The temple attracts the attention and love of devotees from across the country and hence it is not surprising that Dharmasthala Temple is considered as one of the top tourist places to visit in Karnataka.