Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala
Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala is the encompassing force sustaining all SDM institutions, social initiatives and organisations; validated by the evident fact that all initiatives of the shrine are named after Lord Manjunatha, the presiding deity. For 800 years, the shrine and the Manjunatha Swamy legacy has facilitated the thriving of Dharmasthala and all organizations associated with it.
The temple town of Dharmasthala that fosters multiple faiths under the watchful eye of Lord Manjunatha is a pilgrimage, an attraction and a spiritual healing centre, keeping intact the values and ideals of institutions functioning under the guidance of the Dharmadhikari.
The name Dharmasthala is a symbol for the confluence of all necessary social attributes. This town is where you can arrive at if you seek to find modernization grow perfectly rooted in traditions. Religion, spirituality, social welfare, education, entrepreneurship, healthcare – you name it – and you’ll find it here.
The town in Karnataka known as the temple town with a history dating back to nearly 800 years ago has always been the place that attracted the pious. A temple town located within the privileged parts of the Western Ghats, Dharmasthala gives a visitor a sense of spiritual liberation alongside zestful experiences of life. The temple town is not only home to Lord Manjunatheshwara’s ancient temple, but a number of Jain shrines as well that are just as old and intense in nature.
Essence of Dharmasthala
“Dharmasthala” is the name given by Madhva Vadiraja to the place previously known as ‘Kuduma’. The very idea of naming the place Dharmasthala was based on the fact that righteousness established itself in this place in all forms possible from religious to social.
The term ‘Dharma’ infers a number of meanings but they all can be cumulated to arrive at ‘Righteousness’. It implies to faith, divinity, doctrines, duty, endowment and justice. Dharmasthala adheres to every definition of the term through its innumerable traditions and initiatives.
To those who come for worship, Dharmasthala represents religious tolerance wherein caste, creed and faith of pilgrims are no bars. The uniqueness of this place is that here Jain Theerthankara is worshipped on the same consecrated grounds as the native Deities and Lord Manjunatha (Lord Shiva). The priests are Vaishnavite Brahmins and the guardian of the temple is Heggade, a Jain by faith. Altogether form a confluence of faiths that harmonize in belief of the Lord Almighty. To those that come for justice, Dharmasthala is the scale that does not tip in favour of a lawyer’s glib tongue. Here, without any legal formality or argument Shri Heggade dispenses justice, acting in the tradition of his ancestral role as the Heggade and as representative of the presiding Deity. To those that come in dire need of help, Dharmasthala is an Oasis, where succour, solace and hope abound in the serenity and munificence of the temple that provide food and shelter. And to those that come in curiosity, Dharmasthala represents a society full of uniqueness in terms of faith and practices. Here different faiths co-exist in harmony. Dharmasthala fulfils every purpose that can motivate an individual to arrive here.