Dharmasthala is the perfect embodiment of the word "Dharma" for it displays every shade of meaning with which the word is imbued. The greatness of Dharmasthala, however is the fact that it has added an active element to "Dharma", such that it touches the lives of people with a transformational directness that is unique.
To those that come for worship, Dharmasthala represents religious tolerance wherein caste, creed and faith of pilgrims are no bars. For here, the Jain Theerthankara is worshipped on the same consecrated grounds as the native Daivas and Lord Manjunatha (Lord Shiva). The priests are Vaishnavite Brahmins and the guardian of the temple is Heggade, a Jain by faith. Altogether forming a confluence of faiths that harmonize in belief of the omnipotent.
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 the Heggade dispenses justice, acting in the tradition of his ancestral role as the Heggade and representing the presiding deities.
The position of the Heggade of Dharmasthala is a unique one, unknown in any other religious center in India. In the tradition of this Kshetra, he represents Lord Manjunatha. He is a pious grahastha or householder with numerous religious, social and cultural responsibilities. Sri H.D.Veerendra Heggade is the present Heggade.
' Maatubida Manjunatha ', The name of the Lord Manunatha shall not be uttered in vain. So great is the belief of the people in Lord Manjunatha, that they invoke his name when they reach the end of their tether to find a solution to a dispute without remedy. At such times, the injured party literally throws up its arm and with closed eyes stops the opponent from going any further by invoking the name of Lord Manjunatha. The strange thing about this practice is that it is adopted by people of all faiths, all creeds. Once the affected party has uttered the Lord's name, both parties cease to make any contact with each other until they appear before the Heggade who settles the dispute acting as an emissary of Lord Manjunatha. The Heggade's decision is never questioned and is accepted with reverence.
The 600-year-old Pergade tradition of generous hospitality to all those who enter the portals of the Kshetra continue even today. Every one of the thousands of pilgrims who daily visit Dharmasthala is an honoured guest irrespective of caste, creed, culture or status. As always free food and shelter is provided to pilgrims who seek the blessings of Lord Manjunatha, the exponential growth in visitors notwithstanding.
The Yakshagana troupe of Dharmasthala has been performing for the last two centuries. And for Shri Heggade, yakshagana is specially close to his heart. He has been instrumental in bringing about a revival of this ethinic dance drama by starting a school for Yakshagana. Here budding artistes are trained in the intricacies of this highly demanding folk ballet. The most interesting part of this Yakshagana troupe is that its performances are booked by devotees as an expression of their thanks giving to the Lord Manjunatha for the favours the god has bestowed on them. And believe it or not, the troupe been booked for years in advance.
Send offerings by sms to Lord Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy with your Airtel Mobile Phone SDM TO 54655
To those that come for worship, Dharmasthala represents religious tolerance wherein caste, creed and faith of pilgrims are no bars. For here, the Jain Theerthankara is worshipped on the same consecrated grounds as the native Daivas and Lord Manjunatha (Lord Shiva). The priests are Vaishnavite Brahmins and the guardian of the temple is Heggade, a Jain by faith. Altogether forming a confluence of faiths that harmonize in belief of the omnipotent.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 the Heggade dispenses justice, acting in the tradition of his ancestral role as the Heggade and representing the presiding deities.
The position of the Heggade of Dharmasthala is a unique one, unknown in any other religious center in India. In the tradition of this Kshetra, he represents Lord Manjunatha. He is a pious grahastha or householder with numerous religious, social and cultural responsibilities. Sri H.D.Veerendra Heggade is the present Heggade.
' Maatubida Manjunatha ', The name of the Lord Manunatha shall not be uttered in vain. So great is the belief of the people in Lord Manjunatha, that they invoke his name when they reach the end of their tether to find a solution to a dispute without remedy. At such times, the injured party literally throws up its arm and with closed eyes stops the opponent from going any further by invoking the name of Lord Manjunatha. The strange thing about this practice is that it is adopted by people of all faiths, all creeds. Once the affected party has uttered the Lord's name, both parties cease to make any contact with each other until they appear before the Heggade who settles the dispute acting as an emissary of Lord Manjunatha. The Heggade's decision is never questioned and is accepted with reverence.
The 600-year-old Pergade tradition of generous hospitality to all those who enter the portals of the Kshetra continue even today. Every one of the thousands of pilgrims who daily visit Dharmasthala is an honoured guest irrespective of caste, creed, culture or status. As always free food and shelter is provided to pilgrims who seek the blessings of Lord Manjunatha, the exponential growth in visitors notwithstanding.
The Yakshagana troupe of Dharmasthala has been performing for the last two centuries. And for Shri Heggade, yakshagana is specially close to his heart. He has been instrumental in bringing about a revival of this ethinic dance drama by starting a school for Yakshagana. Here budding artistes are trained in the intricacies of this highly demanding folk ballet. The most interesting part of this Yakshagana troupe is that its performances are booked by devotees as an expression of their thanks giving to the Lord Manjunatha for the favours the god has bestowed on them. And believe it or not, the troupe been booked for years in advance.
Send offerings by sms to Lord Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy with your Airtel Mobile Phone SDM
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