Dharmasthala, Karnataka, India
Dharmasthala
Tulu/Kannada: ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳ
is a Indian temple village on the banks of the Nethravathi River in the Belthangadi taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka.
- The village is known for its various Jain and Hindu tempels. The central temple complex, consiting of Jain and Hindu shrines, is run by a Jain administration and poojas are conducted by Hindu priests of Madhva order.
- Among the Jain temples Dharmasthala Shri Chandranatha Swamy Basadi is of special importance.
- Dharmastala represents religious tolerance. A Jain Tirthankara is worshipped beside Daivas and Lord Manjunatha (Shiva). The priests are Vaishnavite Brahmins and the guardian of the temple a Heggade (Jain). To those who come here for justice, the Heggade - an over 800 year old local lineage - dispense judgements that are said to represent the will of the deities.
- In 1967-75 the Heggade family erected a monolithic statue Bahubali of Dharmasthala near the Chandranatha Swamy Basadi.