Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district is an ancient and revered pilgrimage centre, drawing lakhs of devotees every single day. Though the Heggade family of the Jain tradition are the custodians of this shrine, the worship rituals are performed by Vedic Brahmins, making it a unique confluence of faiths under the Hindu tradition.
The temple is guided by Padma Vibhushan Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala, who is equally admired as a social reformer and philanthropist. His contributions extend beyond the temple – spanning education, healthcare, rural development, and social service. Under his leadership, the institution has provided free meals to lakhs of pilgrims, organized large-scale health camps, and supported welfare homes, rural banking, and community upliftment initiatives. Collaborations with various service organizations like Rotary, Lions, and Akshaya projects have strengthened these efforts, bringing real change to the lives of countless families.
Despite its sacred service and reputation, certain vested interests in recent times have attempted to cast doubts on Dharmasthala and its Dharmadhikari through misleading campaigns. Such false narratives may briefly cloud minds, but faith, tradition, and truth have always stood the test of time.
In these circumstances, it becomes the responsibility of every aware citizen to reject misinformation, safeguard our cultural and religious values, and uphold harmony in society. Standing united for truth and spreading peace will ensure that Dharmasthala continues to shine as a beacon of devotion and service.
— Informed by Organizer Tonse Vijayakumar Shetty