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Dharmasthala is a famous Hindu religious shrine of South India with about 700 years of History. The presiding deity of Dharmasthala is Lord Manjunatha Swamy reincarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple is managed by the Heggades who is considered to be the speaking Manjunatha. The Heggade position a hereditary one, is being passed on from generation to generation. The present Heggade, Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade is the 21st in the lineage.
Dharmasthala is known for religious harmony yet with a lot of Bhakthi and religious fervor. Although the deity is Shiva, the Priests are Vaishnavaites. The trustee of the temple belongs to Jain community. Many festivals in Dharmasthala attract tourists and faithfuls, from all over the country. Dharmasthala is also home for Chandranatha Swamy Basadi a place of worship for Jains.
The festivas of Dharmasthala have a tinge of religion, bhakthi, social value, cultural ethos, rituals. Annadana and Abhayadhana are two of the major functions ordained to be performed by the Heggades as the trustee of the temple.
Sarvadharma and Sahithya Sammelana are annual features of Dharmasthala. Excellent facilities have been provided for visitors of Dharmasthala. The massive “Annapoorna” Dining hall provides lunch and dinner for all the visitors of DharmasthalaThe quality of food and hygiene practiced in Annapoorna Kitchen is phenomenal.
Besides, a 39 feet monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali, a unique car museum and an antique museum, the baithing ghats of river Nethravathi, the Annappa Swami hillock are some of the other attractions of Dharmasthala. Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade the presiding Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala temple who has been in the seat for the last thirty eight years has been the most illustrious of the Heggades. According to him Charity is supposed to be practiced in its purest form and therefore no seeker goes empty handed from Dharmasthala.
Dr. Heggade feels that even charity should be put to good use and must yield results. He has therefore setup several institutions to promote the philosophy of directed charity. The visionary in Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade has conceived several projects to touch the finer aspects of human environ. To realise these visions he has promoted many Institutions in the field of Education, Health, Promotion of Indian Medicine, Naturopathy, Yoga, Life Education, improving the living environment. (To know more about Dr. D.Veerendra Heggade and his institutions visit http://www.shridharmasthala.org/
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