Tulu Nadu is a region on the southwestern coast of Karnataka, consisting of the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. These districts were formerly the single district of Dakshina Kannada or South Kanara, but Udupi district was separated in August 1997. Also, northern Kasaragod of Kerala state was traditionally part of Tulu Nadu. Dakshina Kannada district is divided into five talukas, Mangalore, Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia, and Belthangady. Udupi district is divided into three talukas Udupi, Karkala and Kundapura.
Tulunadu is famous for its numerous temples. While the place is famous for its Vishnu, Shiva and Durga temples, there are hundreds of temples of other deities as well.
Shri Kshetra, Dharmasthala, located at a distance of about 65 Kms from Mangalore, is the abode of one of the most powerful deities, viz., Lord Manjunatha (Lord Shiva) and is considered highly sacred by Keralites as well as Kannadites.
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.
The position of the Heggade of Dharmasthala is a
unique one, unknown in any other religious center in India. In the
tradition of this Kshetra, he represents Lord Manjunatha. He is a pious
grahastha or householder with numerous religious, social and cultural
responsibilities. After installation as the Heggade, his religious
duties include propogating the tradition of Dharma in accordance to the
command of the Daivas, who accept him as their foster son and ensure
that the traditional rituals are observed regularly in the temple of
Lord Manjunatha. Discharging his responsibilities true to his
conscience and acting on the precepts of religion, the Heggade acquires
an aura of divinity which enables him to function as a representative of
Lord Manjunatha and other Dharma Daivas. He executes his social
responsibilities by extending the four traditional Danas - Anna Dana,
Aushada Dana, Vidya Dana and Abhaya Dana. These being the gifts of food,
medicine, education and freedom from fear. With the powers he acquires
by these, the Heggade is regarded as the law giver, saviour and voice of
Lord Manjunatha. His duties include dispensing justice, advice and
munificence to all that approach him with their problems and needs.
Shrines to Visit at Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala:
1. Main Temple
Shri Manjunatheshwara
Shri Ammanavaru
Four Dharma Daivas: Kalarahu, Kalarkaayi, Kanyakumari and Kumaraswamy
Lord Ganapathi
Lord Annappa
2. Other shrines
Maha Ganpathy Temple at Annapoorna Choultry
Shrine of Annappa Swamy and the abode of Dharma Daivas, Badinade Hill
The Neliyadi Beedu: The original abode of the Heggades and the Dharma Daivas.
Shrine of Shri Chandranatha Swamy at Sri Chandranatha Basadi
The statue of Shri Bahubali at Ratnagiri Hill
3. Other places to visit at Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala
Vintage car museum
Manjusha vastu sangrahalaya (museum)
Pushpa vatika
Vasantha Mahal - Cultural Hall
4. Other places around Dharmasthala
Kukke Subrahmanya, is around 60 Kms from Dharmasthala
Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi.
Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateel, near Mangalore
Horanaadu Annapoorneshwari Temple, Chikamagalur Dist., Mangalore
Dharmasthala is located approximately 300 kms from Bangalore, and is connected by National Highway. It is about 65 Kms from the port town of Mangalore and well connected by road and the nearest railway station is Mangalore Central. Dharamsthala is well connected to the rest of Karnataka state, Kerala, Pune and Mumbai through various public transport systems.
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Kadri Manjunatheshwara temple being one of the ancient historical temple dating back about 1068 AD is very interesting place. The Manjunatha temple, Kadri belongs to the Vijayanagara style of structure. From its present form, it may be inferred that during the 15th or 16th AD., it must have been given a solid structure. The scenic beauty of the Kadri hills, the presence of the pre-historic caves cut into the laterite mounds and the historical and religious importance of the Manjunatha temple lend particular enchantment to this centre. On the Kadri Hill is situated the biggest centre of the Natha Pantha (cult) in South India. The caves of Kadri hill have to be archeologically examined.
There is considerable construe on the name Kadri. It is derived from Kadari, meaning plantain and that Kadri was known to have been overgrown with plantain trees. But this could only be a too commonplace meaning. According to the Buddhist enumerator Kadarika means a hillside pastures land. The earliest reference to this place is in the epigraph dated AD 968 engraved on the pedestal of the famous Lokeshwara image. In it is mentioned that King Kundavarma of the Alupa Dynasty installed the image in Kadarika Vihara. From this we can know that Kadarika is the earliest form of this place name. Vihara is the name given in Buddhlet settlement while Buddhism flourished here during 10th AD.
Earlier to 10th AD, Kadri was an important centre of Buddhism. Documents supporting the fact are available in and around Kadri. During 10th AD, Buddhism began to loose its grip and new belief viz. Natha Pantha (cult) rooted in Kadri. Natha Pantha is a modified religious practice, which is, came from Vajrayana religious practice of Mahayana branch of Buddhism. In course of time it shined with Shiva beliefs. Local people as Jogis called them and their monastery is called as Jogimutt.
Buddhist monks who came from northern India made Kadri as their place of Vihara and settled here. In those days it was called as Kadarika Vihara. Subsequently, followers of Natha pantha were also came and settled here. The epigraph of 968 A.D. mentions Mangalore as 'Mangalapura' and Kadri as 'Kadarika Vihara'. In stone epigraph belongs to 12-13th century A.D. available in temple’s kitchen which is in Kannada and Malayalam script it is clearly mentioned that the then King with local landlords and other important people of the area contributed a land for construction of the temple. Since earlier portions of epigraph are damaged, the name of the King is unknown. As per the documents available the Alupa Queen Balli Mahadevi (1277-1288) called herself as a devotee of Lord Manjunatha.
The temple was built in 12th century according to Hindu Agama Shastra (architecture rule). In 14-15th AD, it was reconstructed with granite stone. The idol of Lord Manjunatha is made of Pancha Loha (mixed metal of five elements). The Jogis of Jogimutt are still residing on the Kadri Hill. As Lord Manjunatha is a form of Lord Shiva, they ardently worship him. The surroundings of the Jogimutt depict its ancient importance. There are caves around the Jogimutt, which are called as Pandava caves. But one can assume Jogis often used these caves for meditation and penance. There are small temples of Boothanatha, Matsyendranath, Gorakanatha and many other Natha protagonists surrounded by existing Jogimutt. Reserving its peacefulness and mystery the Jogimutt still arise feeling of holiness within a visitor. Further research and study on all aspect from archeological department may spotlight the hidden facts about the temple and surrounding monuments.
Kadri has its own story from Puranas (Hindu Mythology) regarding its sanctity and abode of Lord Manjunatha. This story is in Sanskrit and available in “Bharadwaja Samhita”. In ancient days Kadarika was a part of Siddhashrama were many sages, saints were often practicing meditation and penance. There was no fear of sin or wrong deed. Once a discussion regarding Lord Manjunatha’s sanctity and greatness were held between two great sages viz. sage Brigu and sage Kapila. Sage Bharadwaja heard this discussion and told the same to one of his follower viz. Sumanthu. Hence this called as Bharadwaja Samhita.
Lord Parashurama who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu destroyed egoistic Kshatriya kings and donated the confiscated land to sage Kashyapa. Thinking of that taking a shelter in donated land is not virtue, Parashurama made rigorous penance and meditation of Lord Shiva on Sahyadri Mountain region seeking a new land for his shelter. Lord appeared before him and told that he will incarnate as Manjunatha for a good of mankind and suggested to meditate upon him at Kadalivana (today’s Kadri). Parashurama gazed at Kadalivana, which was ten-yojana distance from Sahyadri Mountain and also was occupied by ocean. He asked Ocean King to leave that Kadalivana for him. But Ocean King did not granted his wish. Becoming angry upon this act of Ocean King, Parashurama took his axe (weapon) and roared upon Ocean King. Frightened King left behind by giving land and Parashurama got his shelter. As per the order of Lord Shiva Parashurama visited the new land and found there a Kadalivana (plantain field) and one Rasakoopa (well). In that Rasakoopa Lord Shiva appeared before Parashurama and ordered to construct a temple there with a help of Vishwakarma (a divine sculptor). Accordingly Vishwakarma constructed a temple and town. In course of time various scholars, sages, saints, philosophers came here and took shelter. Later Goddess Parvathi, wife of Lord Shiva decided to settle here. As per the Order of Lord Shiva, Saptakoti Mantras (seven crore holy enchants) settled here as Sapta Teerthas (seven ponds).
Situated just 4 km distance from the heart of the Mangalore City, a convenient public transport facility is available to reach temple. There are frequent bus facility and auto rickshaws at reasonable fare available. For new visitors these auto rickshaws (three wheeler motor vehicles) are convenient mean of transport.
