Dharmasthala Temple, also known as Ksetra Dharmasthala, is an 800-year-old Hindu temple in Dharmasthala in Dakshina Karnataka, India. This religious place in South India is very popular. The temple’s deity is Manjunatheshwara, a form of Shivalinga.
Other idols like Dharma Daevas, Ammanavaru and Shakti are also worshipped in this Sri Manjunatha Temple. It is also said that Dharmasthala is a gateway to righteousness with faith, and humanity has four protective gods: Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumarasvami, and Kanyakumari. The Jain family runs the administration of the Dharmasthala temple called the Pergades, who also follow the customs and traditions of the Hindu priests of the Madhva bramins.
Dharmasthala temple history
Dharmasthala temple history saga started 800 years ago, Dharmasthala was also known as Kuduma in Mallarmadi Village.
According to legend, a Jain chieftain named Birmanna Pergade and his wife, Ammu Ballalthi, lived in a tiny village called Kuduma, which is now called Dharmasthala. They were known for their hospitality and generosity.
One day, four guardian spirits (Dharma Daivas) appeared in their dreams one night and asked them to dedicate their house to the worship of Lord Shiva. The couple followed the instructions as they had seen in the dream, built a temple, and invited Brahmin priests to perform rituals.
Dharmasthala- Netravati River
Netravati River is a holy river situated near Dharmasthala. Many devotees bathe in it before seeking the darshan of Manjunatheshwara. The place has a changing room.
Best time to visit Dharmasthala
The Best time to visit Dharmasthala is from November to March, as the weather is enjoyable and friendly.
| Season | Months | Weather | Important info. |
| Winter & Early Summer | October to March | 15°C – 30°C | Best time to visit, Major festivals like Laksha Deepotsava & Mahashivaratri |
| Summer | April – June | 30°C – 38°C | Very hot and humid |
| Monsoon | July – September | 20°C – 28°C | Heavy rainfall, Slippery in the temple. Scenic Western Ghats |
Dharmasthala temple timings
Dharmastala temple timings and pooja rituals are maintained in a very strict routine. The gates of Shri Manjunatha Swamy temple open every day at 4 a.m for early morning darshan for every pilgrimage.
| Time | Ritual/Event | Description |
| 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Darshan | The shrine opens after Vedic cleansing and remains open for devotees. |
| 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Shatharudra Abhisheka & Pooja | One of the greatest poojas in Vedic scriptures to remove evils and attain prosperity. Darshan continues alongside. |
| 11:00 AM | Shiva Sahasranamavali | Recitation of Lord Shiva’s 1000 names to glorify his various forms. |
| 11:30 AM | Maha Naivedya Samarpana | Sacred food offering to Lord Manjunatheshwara before Annadana begins. |
| 12:00 PM | Mahapooja | Grand pooja with Vedic decorations, hymns, and temple processions. Darshan remains closed during this time. |
| 12:10 PM | Nithyabali | Utsavamoorthy procession with 5 rounds; Darshan will be temporarily blocked. |
| 12:15 PM – 2:30 PM | Darshan | Darshan resumes after rituals until the end of the queue or 2:30 PM, whichever is earlier. |
| 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Darshan | Evening session for Darshan is resumed. |
| 8:30 PM | Mahapooja | Utsavamoorthy procession with five rounds; Darshan will be temporarily blocked. |
| 8:45 PM | Nithyabali | Evening pooja is similar to morning Mahapooja, which has grand rituals. |
Dharmasthala Temple dress code
The Dharmasthala Temple dress code is very strict and requires a traditional approach. Men must wear a Dhoti/pancha or Kurta pyjama, and ladies must wear a saree or Salwar kameez with a dupatta. Footwear is not allowed inside the temple.
Men are asked to remove their shirts when entering the temple; jeans, shorts, and caps are prohibited. For ladies, sleeveless, tight, revealing dresses and skirts are prohibited inside the temple. The Temple authorities offer a strict dress code at the temple entrance.
How to reach Dharmasthala Temple
Dharmasthala Temple is easily reached and has excellent connectivity across all cities. Located on the bank of the Nethravathi River, it is visited by many pilgrims every day.
By Road
Dharmasthala is 300 km from Bangalore and almost 65 km from Mangalore. Buses frequently run on these routes.
By Rail
Mangalore Railway Station is one of the closest to the temple. Trains also move from Mangalore to the Bangalore railway station.
By Air
The closest airport to the temple is Mangalore, almost 60 km away.
| Route | Distance | Approx. Travel Time |
| Udupi to Dharmasthala | 110 km | 3 hours |
| Bangalore to Dharmasthala | 300 km | 6 – 7 hours |
| Dharmasthala to Horanadu | 75 km | 2 – 2.5 hours |
| Mangalore to Dharmasthala | 75 km | 2 – 2.5 hours |
Dharmasthala Temple Rooms Booking
Dharmastha accommodations are very clean and hygienic. Nine modern guest houses are located there: Sannidhi, Netravathi, Gayathri, Vaishali, Saketha, Gangotri, Sharavathi, Rajathadri, and Sahyadri. Dedicated devotees can enjoy an enjoyable stay with all the necessities and utilities available.
| Name | Room Type | Rooms | Cost (INR) | Location | Facilities | Timings |
| Sannidhi | Type 1 | 17 | 1500/2000 | Near Bahubali Hill | 24*7 Hot water, AC Rooms | 10 am-10 pm Check-in, 24hr Check-Out |
| Type 2 | 4 | |||||
| Nethravhi | AC Rooms | 33 | 1500 | Right side of the Temple | Hot water, Lift, Parking, 24hr Electricity | 6.00 am-9.00 pm Check-in, 24hr Check-Out |
| Non-AC Rooms | 34 | 1000 | ||||
| Rajathadri | AC Rooms | 23 | 1500 | Near KSRTC Bus Stand | Hot water-Solar, Lift, Parking, 24hr Electricity, Only AC rooms have Blankets | |
| 2-Bed Non-AC | 229 | 600 | ||||
| 4-Bed Non-AC | 38 | 1000 | ||||
| Saketha | Non-AC Rooms | 478 | 100/300/400/1000/2000 | Right side of the Temple | Hot water | 6.00 am-9.00 pm Check-in, 24hr Check-Out |
| Sahyadri | 2-Bed Non-AC | 310 | 600 | Near KSRTC Bus Stand | Hot water-Solar, Lift, Parking, CCTV, 24hr Electricity | 6.00 am-9.00 pm Check-in, 24hr Check-Out |
| 4-Bed Non-AC | 170 | 1000 | ||||
| Semi Deluxe AC | 15 | 1500 | ||||
| Deluxe AC | 18 | 2000 | ||||
| Gangotri | General Rooms | 160 | 100/400/1000 | Right side of the Temple | No Hot Water, No Attached Bathrooms | 6.00 am-9.00 pm Check-in, 24hr Check-Out |
| Gayathri | Type 1 | 104 | 300/500 | Behind Temple | Hot Water | 6.00 am-9.00 pm Check-in, 24hr Check-Out |
| Vaishali | Type 2 | 234 | 50/100/700 | Right side of the Temple | Hot Water | 6.00 am-9.00 pm Check-in, 24hr Check-Out |
| Sharavati | Type 2 | 303 | 50 | Right side of the Temple | Non-Attached Bathrooms, No Hot Water | 6.00 am-9.00 pm Check-in, 24hr Check-Out |
| Enquiry Office | General Rooms | 135 | Free | Near Old Bus Stand | No Attached Bathrooms, No Hot Water | 6.00 am-9.00 pm Check-in, 24hr Check-Out (Photos are for reference only) |
Dharmasthala Temple accommodation online booking: Click here
Places to visit near Dharmasthala Temple
Bahubali Statue
Lord Bahubali, at a height of 39 feet, was sculpted back in 1973 by a renowned sculptor. This place can be reached by climbing the steps of the hill for about 20 minutes, or it can be reached by road
Annappa Betta
Situated half a kilometre from the Shri Manjunatha temple, in the southwest of Annappa Betta hills, known as Badinede Betta; this shrine is dedicated to Shri Annappa swamy.
Chandranath Swamy Temple:
Manjusha Museum
Shri D. Veerendra Heggad founded the Manjusha Museum. It has a good collection of antiques, paintings, artifacts, vintage and classic cars.
Ram Mandir, Dharmasthala
Ram Mandir in Dharmasthala is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Ram. It Is located in Kanyadi, Dakshina Kannada.
Dharmasthala Temple Prasadam Details
Dharmasthala temple offers prasadam to all devotees who seek blessings from Shri Manjunatheshwara Swamy. Every pilgrim who visits the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva is offered free food. Annapurna Choultry is designed to feed 30,000 to 70,000 pilgrims on any given mentioned day.
The pilgrims are served a three-course South Indian meal. The kitchen is self-sufficient in every way, from the raw materials used to the bio-gas fire and the plantain leaf plates used to serve the prasadam.
Timings are
Sunday and Monday
Morning: 10.30 Am to 4.30 Pm
Night: 07 Pm to 10 Pm
Tuesday to Saturday
Morning: 11 Am to 02.45 Pm
Night: 07 Pm to 10 Pm
Contact Details of Dharmasthala Temple
SHREE KSHETRA DHARMASTHALA
D.K, Karnataka -574216
Helpline: 08256 -266666
Office: 08256 – 266655
Email: info@shridharmasthala.org
OFFICE TIMINGS :
Morning: 09:30 AM to 2 PM
Evening: 4 PM to 9 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a wheelchair facility available at Dharmasthala temple?
Yes. When you arrive at the Entrance of the Temple, contact the office
How many days are needed to visit Dharmasthala Temple?
One day is enough to visit the Dharmastala temple
Is there a VIP Darshan facility available at Dharmasthala Temple?
The VIP darshan ticket starts at ₹200
How crowded is the Dharmasthala Temple?
Mondays, special occasions, weekends, and holidays are generally rounded in the Dharmasthala Temple
Which is the nearest beach to Dharmasthala Temple?
Someshwar Beach is the nearest beach at the Dharmasthala Temple