History The word “Dharma” traditionally means religion, ritual, duty, righteousness, and alms. It also implies justice, truthfulness, freedom from fear, faith, solace, fulfillment and peace. 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. To those that come in need, Dharmasthala is an Oasis, where succour, solace and hope abound in the serenity of the temple and in the free hostelries that provide food and shelter. And to those that come in curiosity, Dharmasthala is a miracle of paradoxes. Here different faiths co-exist in harmony just as traditions make room for experimental services, High or low, rich or poor, devout or atheist, at Dharmasthala all are equal. Darshan & Seva Details Dharmasthala has not been content being a source of inspiration to the devout. Having expanded the meaning of Dharma to encompasses the advancement of society at large, it has played an active role in bettering the lives of communities far and wide. Its initiatives have aimed at renewing the Paid and hope within, so that people may be helped to help themselves. 800 Years ago, Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma in Mallarmadi, then a village in Belthangady. Here lived the Jain Chieftain Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballathi in a house called Nelliadi Beedu. Simple, pious and affectionate people, the pergade family was known for its generosity and hospitality to all. According to the legend, the guardian angels of Dharma assumed human forms and arrived at pergade’s abode in search of a place where Dharma was being practiced and could be continued and propogated. As was their habit, the pergade couple hosted these illustrious visitors with all their wherewithal, and great respect. Pleased by their sincerity and generosity, that night the Dharma Daivas appeared in the dreams of Pergade. They explained the purpose of thier visit to him and instructed him to vacate his house for the worship of the Daivas and dedicate his life to the propogation of Dharma. Asking no questions, the Pergade built himself another house and began worshipping the Daivas at Nelliadi Beedu. This continues even today. As they continued their worship and their practice of hospitality, the Dharma Daivas again appeared before the Pergade to build separate shrines to consecrate the four Daivas – Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumaraswamy and Kanyakumari. Also, Pergade was instructed to choose two persons of noble birth to act as the Daivas’s oracles and four worthy persons to assist Pergade in his duties as the Executive Head of the Shrines. In return, the Daivas promised Pergade protection for his family, abundance of charity and renown for the ‘ Kshetra ‘. Pergade, as desired, built the shrines and invited Brahmin priests to perform the rituals. These priests requested Pergade to also install a Shivalinga beside the native Daivas. The Daivas then sent their vassal Annappa Swamy to procure the linga of Lord Manjunatheshwara from kadri, near Mangalore. Subsequently, the Manjunatha temple was built around the linga. Around the 16th Century, Devaraja Heggade invited Shri Vadiraja Swami of Udupi to visit the place. The Swamiji gladly came but refused to accept Bhiksha (food offering) because the idol of lord Manjunatha had not been consecrated according to vedic rites. Shri Heggade then requested the Swamiji to reconsecrate the Shivalinga himself. Pleased by the observance of the vedic rites and Heggade’s charity to all, the Swamiji named the place Dharmasthala, the abode of religion and charity. Thus, the roots of charity and religious tolerance established by the Pergades 600 Years ago have been nurtured and strenthened by the Heggade family, Heggade being a derivative from Pergade. And today’s Dharmasthala blossoms with the fruit of this selfless dedication. Anna Daana 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 not withstanding. The Annapoorna Choultry, the beautiful dining hall is equipped to feed 30,000 to 50,000 guests comfortably on any given day. The modern kitchen with automised cooking aids is a marvelous demonstration of how mass meals can be made hygienic, tasty and quick. For the convenience of pilgrims, a number of rooms that formed the accommodation at the old dharmasthala’s Ganga, Kaveri and Narmada has been augmented by seven modern guest houses Netravathi, Vaishali, Sharavathi, Gayatri, Gangotri and Saketha which have increased the capacity manifold. Sri D. Harshendra Kumar, brother of Sri Veerendra Heggade, has been managing the affairs of the various departments of Dharmasthala by rendoring yeoman service. While communication betwen the seeker and God is a part of every religious institution, it is a metaphysical experience removed from the travails of day to day living. Dharmasthala is however different in this regard for it reaches out to people through Shri Veerendra Heggade. Those who come to the Kshetra with their woes and problems are given a patient hearing and guidance. No quarrel or family dispute is too petty to ignore, for the Heggade knows that the seeds of discontent sown by unresolved disputes can fester and build into a lifetime of hatred. Through Counseling and the dispensation of justice, Shri Veerendra Heggade helps regain peace of mind and guides to shelter under the divine grace and benevolence of Lord Manjunatha Swamy. Abhaya Daana Reaching out to the needy is second nature to the Heggade. During the severe drought that almost crippled life of North Karnataka Districts of Gulbarga Gujarat , Dharmasthala was once again in the vanguard through Shri Veerendra Heggade, spontaneously reaching out with a donation of Rupees Twenty Five lakhs. These are but a few examples of how the Heggade continues to be an angel of mercy to those in need. In an endeavour to eradicate social evils like dowry, casteism, untouchablitiy and financial debt, Shri Heggade introduced the beautiful concept of “Mass Marriages” in 1972 at Dharmasthala. Following the tradition of the Kshetra where all religions and castes are welcome, hundreds of couples are married in accordance with their personal religious rite. The expenses of the wedding dress, mangalsutra and wedding feast for a limited number of the couple’s guests are borne by the Kshetra. It is vital to note that over 10,000 couples have been benefitted by this unique programme since 1972. Vidya Daana Back One of the prime examples of Dharmasthala’s practice of Dharma in action has been the role it has played in fostering education.The seed of what has today grown into a gaint tree of knowledge was sown in the soil of Belthangady Taluk in Dakshina Kannada, many decades ago. Shri Manjayya Heggade, the then Dharmadhikari, realized that education was the only way out of the hopelessness and despair that pervaded this poverty stricken land. He made a small beginning with the establishment of Siddhavana, an educational institution that drew inspiration from the gurukul of ancient times. Continuing the tradition, Shri Rathnavarma Heggade, his successor established the SDM Education Trust to chalk out a longterm plan for bringing education to this hinterland. And thus began an educational revolution that has helped transform a number of backward areas through the power of education. The foundation built by the earlier Dharmadhikaris inspired Shri Veerendra Heggade to give added impetus to the Kshetra’s efforts for the upliftment of society with the catalytic effect of education. The ripples of Dharmasthala’s initiatives have today spread far and wide encompassing a host of educational institutions spanning primary to post graduate and professional courses. While the emphasis has been on providing a modern education, traditional values have not been lost sight of and every one of the institutions strives to inculcate the Indian culture and values in the students who pass through its portals. The Kshetra has consciuosly chosen to establish institutions in areas that would benefit those who would not otherwise have the opportunity of gaining from education. Further, students who have aptitude and desire but not the means are provided opportunities to pursue an education through scholarships. The educational institutions that are within Dharmasthala’s fold are run by the SDM Educational Trust while the management of the institutions is the preview of the Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Society. Comprising of eminent personalities, these two organisations, jointly provide purpose and direction to the institutions under the benign guidance of the Dharmadhikari.
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