Photo 1 / 2White temple front and porch. Photo: Naveenbm at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
About the Temple
Dharmasthala sits near the Netravathi river in the foothills of the Western Ghats, about 75 km east of Mangaluru. Its shrine to Shiva as Manjunatha has Madhva priests and is run by a hereditary Jain family, the Heggades, so the town mixes Hindu and Jain traditions. Pilgrims are given free meals at the temple, and the Bahubali statue and Manjusha Museum are close by.
Why visit
- Visit a major Shiva shrine where Hindu worship and Jain administration meet.
- Share the free meal served to pilgrims, then see the Bahubali statue and the Manjusha Museum nearby.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM
- Afternoon
- 12:15 PM – 2:30 PM
- Evening
- 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
The temple routine says the gates open at 04:00 and darshan starts at 06:30 after the morning cleansing. Darshan pauses for the noon Mahapooja and Nithyabali; the afternoon session ends at 14:30 or when the queue ends, if that comes first. The evening Mahapooja follows at 20:30. The temple says timings may vary on special occasions. Expect changes and long queues during Laksha Deepotsava in November and December.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
1 hour to 3 hours inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
Men remove their shirt and vest before entering the sanctum. Men in shorts and women in nighties are not let in for darshan. Children under two are not allowed inside the sanctum.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Phones
The temple prohibits mobile phone use on its premises and does not allow bags inside. Bags are checked at entry. A deposit counter and its charge were not confirmed, so leave phones and bags at your lodging if you can.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Access
The temple mentions restrooms along the queue line. Step counts and wheelchair routes are not confirmed; ask at the temple office before you join the queue.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- Free meals for pilgrims
Charity is central to Dharmasthala, and pilgrims are given free food at the temple. The temple says the meal begins after the 11:30 Maha Naivedya offering.
- Bahubali statue
A 39-foot monolithic statue of the Jain figure Bahubali stands on a low hill near the temple, a sign of the Heggade family's Jain faith.
- Manjusha Museum
Opposite the temple, the museum holds palm-leaf manuscripts, silver jewellery and religious statues.
- Vintage car museum
A separate museum displays dozens of vintage cars.
Sources: dk.nic.in, karnatakatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
- By air: Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) · about 75 km
- By train: Puttur · about 49 km
- By road: Dharmasthala is about 75 km east of Mangaluru and 311 km from Bengaluru by road, with buses from Mangaluru. The district administration gives about 74 km from Mangaluru bus station.
Sources: karnatakatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Kukke Subramanya TempleThe serpent-ritual shrine of Subramanya in the hills, often paired with Dharmasthala.55 km by road
- MoodubidireA Jain centre with historic basadis.51 km by road
- Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari TempleA Durga shrine on an islet in the Nandini river, on the way to Udupi.56 km away
Sources: karnatakatourism.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
What are the Dharmasthala temple darshan timings?
The temple routine lists darshan from 06:30 to 11:00, 12:15 to 14:30 and 17:00 to 20:30, with pauses for the Mahapooja. The afternoon queue can close earlier than 14:30, and timings change on special occasions.
What is the dress code at Dharmasthala?
Men remove their shirt and vest before the sanctum. Men in shorts and women in nighties are not allowed in for darshan.
Can I take my phone into Dharmasthala temple?
No. The temple prohibits mobile phones on its premises and does not allow bags inside. A deposit counter was not confirmed.
Is food free at Dharmasthala?
Yes. The district administration says pilgrims are given free food at the temple. The temple says the meal follows the 11:30 offering; check serving times locally.