Dharmasthala formally known, known as Kuduma is a Religious town in Karnataka, southwest Indian. A temple village nestled in the midst of the Western Ghats on the banks of the Nethravathi river, Dharmasthala has both historical as well as religious significance. The village is home to the magnificent Manjunatheshwara Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is famed for its gold lingam. Dharmasthala is a famous destination that attracts Shiva devotees from across the nation.
Of Temples And Basadis: Tourist Places In And Around Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala has become an example of religious co-existence. The temple is famous not just for its ancient structure, but also for the fact that it is run by Jains, while the daily worship is done by Hindu priests. Other attractions include the eight Jain basadis as well as the towering 11-meter-high statue of Bahubali. The statue was carved out of a single rock and weighed 175 tons.
The village is also the repository of several ancient manuscripts. These were retrieved from an archaeological site at Dharmasthala and have been preserved at a museum here. There is also a unique car museum that attracts several vintage car lovers.
How To Reach Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala lies 300 kilometres away from Bangalore but is easily accessible. The town is 100 kilometres from Udupi and 76 kilometres from Mangalore. There are several buses that ferry pilgrims on a daily basis to the village. The journey by road from Bangalore can take up to 6 hours.
Best Time To Visit Dharmasthala
October to March is the ideal time to visit Dharmasthala.