My Visit to Dharmasthala 

A time when I realized that my dream have come true. This was a time when I went to a spiritual place known as Dharmasthala. Dharmasthala is a place full of life and joy that is a very extraordinary combination to find in today’s busy life. I found peace at my workplace, impossible to describe in words. Living envision for me.

forward

I got an opportunity to work at a place known as Dharmasthala. This place is famous for a temple, area also known as Shree Kshethra. This is a coastal region of Karnataka, Identifiable as Dakshina Kannada. Entire place is surrounded by great mountains and three rivers. The place has natural habitat for dangerous wild Cobra and king Cobra snakes. Place is also famous for farming of Keshu, coffee, nuts, black pepper and ever green tender coconuts.

Introduction to Dharmasthala

This is a place of spiritual ambiance. Dharmasthala is the confluence of three faiths living in harmony with each other, spreading the message of brotherhood among all. This spirit of oneness is incarnate in charity, service, comfort and consolation. It is not just preached, but translated into action in this adobe of dharma. A temple of Lord Shiva, worshiped by Vaishnava priest, in care of Jain religion and also worshiped by Muslims in large number. The greatness can be observed by visiting the “adobe of Dharma”.

Padambhushan Dr. Virendra Hegadde

“Adobe of Dharma” The saying came from an ancient chronicle about establishment of Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Temple. Story starts from 800 years ago. Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma in Mallarmadi, then a village in south Kanara. Here lived the Jain Chieftain Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballalthi in a house called Nelliadi Beedu. Simple family was known for his hospitality. According to the legend, the guardian angels of Dharma assumed human forms and arrived at Pergade’s adobe in search of a place where Dharma was being practiced and could be continued and propagated. As was their habit, the Pergade couple hosted these illustrious visitors with their entire wherewithal and great respect. Pleased by their sincerity and generosity, that night the Dharma Daivas appeared in the dreams of Shri Birmanna Pergade. They explained the purpose of their visit to him and instructed him to vacate his house for the worship of the Daivas and dedicated his life to the propagation of Dharma. Shri Birmana Pergade stated worshiped that place and built a new home somewhere else. The tradition was followed by his ancestors even now. Daivas choose house of Shri Birmana Pergade’s house as adobe of Dharma nevertheless this place is famous for not only due to ritual and spiritual reason but also for hospitality and generosity of Heggade family (caretaker of temple).

Pattabhishekh Festival at Dharmasthala

Apart from the spiritual value of Dharmasthala I fell for the natural beauty of this place, accompanied by the great social custom and value.

Dharmasthala- The locals

My first day, I went to see the museum, situated near to the main temple of Shri Manjunatheswara. A huge signboard probably from 80’s was saying “Shree Manjusha museum”. Completely rusted and about to fall anytime, in wait of last moment of his life, I crossed this signboard very carefully and approached to the main entrance of museum. A middle aged person from museum staff came in front of me asked something in kannada (Kannada is a local language, commonly used in local region). “Kannada” ya sure, I assumed that he is asking for tickets as I am illiterate when it comes on local dialect or language. I tried to explain him that I am new to this place and I came to visit this museum and I suppose to work here for further extension of museum. Nevertheless after a while I understood that he was not able to understand my words, so I asked him to take me to the manager.

Manager was a common face, middle aged man, the Manager was not very good with Hindi or English but something is better than nothing. After 20 minutes I was able to explain my name successful to him. I understood that it will not going to be easy. I must admit that this museum was housing a great collection. I never expected a small museum with no identity, could collect large encyclopedic collection. This museum was filled with decorative arts, rare ivory artifact, huge collection of stone sculptures excavated from nearby places, in addition collection gives a glimpse of gold and silver jewelry, music instruments and many other attraction. Museum was having nine individual storerooms. Total strength of collection was counted approximate 36000. Another individual unit/library holds a collection of manuscript, number goes around 7000. In miscellaneous artifact one can count three large steam train engines, two aircrafts, one road roller, more than six fully flagged gigantic wooden ritual Rathas.

A Good collection, a new site to construct a larger building with no knowledge of local food habits and culture, it was definitely a difficult and stressful task for me to live in total opposite condition. When I started to live at this place I realized that I got mesmerized by the smile of these people. Food does not matter because it served with great enthusiasm. It took me twice time to eat same food as them with my hands because I was more close to stupid city culture of eating with spoon while sitting on large dining table. I ended up liking that food so much that I gained 10 kg in six months. Some other attractions of that place were delicious coffee from a local shop named Trupti, tender coconut and Neeru Dosa (food Dish) from my neighbor aunty.

snake from my backyard 

While walking on the streets I saw a cobra was walking with me and gave me company for another ten meter was something I can never express in words. I never saw a cobra walking freely and now I was living with them. One very nice morning while going for may daily routine, I opened my room’s door and encountered a cobra sitting next to my right leg was a experience that gave me near a heart attack. I never felt amazed the way I felt in a small span in Dharmasthala.

Dharmasthala is made of traditional brick houses. Local material for construction is red clay and soft red stone. One very pleasant day I walked outside of my house, it was raining. I saw rain water was coming from the mountains through deep green valley by the mean of ducts immerged red clay with it. It was thrilling to see a blood like river coming through green valley, running over gray dammar road. Beauty of nature was talking and telling the story of beauty of this place.

Towards end

It was my pleasure to live in a place like Dharmasthala. Never found such a clam environment with a touch of divine attentiveness. I saw all my thoughts coming true in such a small place with a total population of 400 people. I believed that every person should visit Dharmasthala in his life and appreciate its immense values. I found artist inside me in this place. I lived most amazing moments and I always look for an opportunity to visit again this place.