Dharmasthala Temple (Kannada/Tulu:ಶ್ರೀ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳ) (Sanskrit: क्षेत्र धर्मस्थल Kṣētra Dharmasthala) is a 800-year-old religious foundation in the sanctuary town of Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.
The divinities of the sanctuary are Shiva, who is alluded to as Mañjunatha, Ammanavaru, the tirthankara Chandraprabha and the defensive lords of Jainism, Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumarasvami and Kanyakumari. The sanctuary is considered unique since it has a place with the Shaiva organization of Hinduism. The ministers are Shivalli Brahmins, who are Vaishnava, and the organization is controlled by a Jain Bunt family called the Pergades.
Legend and birthplace
800 years prior, Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma in Mallarmadi, at that point a town in Belthangady. Here experienced the Jain Bunt chieftain Birmanna Pergade and his better half Ammu Ballalthi in a house called Nelliadi Beedu. As indicated by the legend, the gatekeeper blessed messengers of Dharma accepted human structures and touched base at Pergade's dwelling place pursuit of a place where Dharma was being polished and could be proceeded and proliferated. Similar to their propensity, the couple facilitated these renowned guests with all their fortitude and extraordinary regard. Satisfied by their earnestness and liberality, that night the Dharma Daivas showed up in the fantasies of Pergade. They clarified the motivation behind their visit to him and educated him to abandon his home for the love of the Daivas and devote his life to the engendering of Dharma. Making no inquiries, the Pergade fabricated himself another house and started worshiping the Daivas at Nelliadi Beedu.
This love of daivas proceeds. The Dharma Daivas again showed up before Pergade to manufacture isolate altars to sanctify the four Daivas — Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumaraswamy and Kanyakumari. Additionally, Pergade was told to pick two people of respectable birth to go about as the Daivas' prophets and four commendable people to help Pergade in his obligations as the official leader of the sanctuaries. Consequently, the Daivas guaranteed Pergade assurance for his family, wealth of philanthropy and eminent for the 'Kshetra'. Pergade, as wanted, fabricated the hallowed places and welcomed Brahmin clerics to play out the ceremonies. These ministers asked for Pergade to introduce a Shivalinga close to the local Daivas. The Daivas at that point sent their vassal Annappa Swamy to obtain the linga of Shiva from Kadri Manjunath Temple, close Mangalore. In this way, the Manjunatha sanctuary was worked around the linga.
The Pergade famiy is a Jain Bunt family who drop from the maker of the sanctuary. Birmanna Pergade and his significant other Ammu Ballalthi and are the genetic trustees of the sanctuary. The oldest male part takes on the situation of Dharma Adhikari (boss manager) and utilizations the title Heggade. The Heggade was the primitive ruler of the sanctuary town and explained common or criminal question. This was a legal capacity and proceeds even right up 'til the present time: The Heggade sits in judgment on many common grumblings, known as hoyulu, each day. About almost twenty ages of the Pergade family have taken on the situation of Dharma Adhikari. The present Dharma Adhikari is Veerendra Heggade.