Manjunatha Temple Dharmasthala

Karnataka is well known to the tourists who are keen to visit the holy places of India. Coming to Dharmasthala, the Manjunatha Temple is one of the sacred pilgrim places of South India. Dharmasthala is a holy place visited by a large number of people irrespective of their differences in cast and creed.

Dharmasthala is located in a village of the same name in the South Kannara District of Karnataka. It is situated on the banks of the river Nethravathi which is regarded as a sacred river by the devotees. The water of the Nethravati river is used as the holy water for Dharmasthala. Thus the pilgrims who come to offer their prayers first bathe in this river to purify their soul before entering into the Manjunatha Temple, Dharmasthala.

The main lord of the Manjunatha Temple, Dharmasthala is the Shri Manjunathaswamy. Shri Manjunathaswamy is regarded as another form of Lord Shiva. The deity of Lord Manjunathaswamy has a relationship with the temple of Kadri Manjunatha of Mangalore. It is believed that about 5 centuries ago a Jain family was blessed by the angels of Dharmasthala. Later, the Jain people made temples and installed the images of Dharma Daivas. This myth relates that to bring the Shiva Linga from Kadri, Dharma Daivas sent a vassal to Annappa. The temple Annappa faces the idol of Manjunatha in Dharmasthala.

The lord of the Manjunatha Temple, Dharmasthala represents the Indian mythological relationship, religion and scholarship. The Manjunatha Temple, Dharmasthala holds its grand Deepotsava festival during November and December every year. The riot of colorful lightings is one of the important features of this festival.