Happy to be posting yet another trip on my spiritual journey. This time, i am moving towards the most famous temple in Karnataka,India. These temples are considered sacred and powerful among Hindus and how can i miss a chance to not visit these beautiful temples?
The history of this temple dates back to 800 years and this temple was built for Lord Shiva. Shiva is referred here as Manjunatha and that explains the temple’s name. Dharmasthala in Karnataka attracts more than 10,000 to 12,000 pilgrims on a normal day and more staggering numbers on festivals.
This temple is different from the Dravidian architecture and has more of a Kerala type structures. This temple town is blessed with nature and is in the western ghats of India (which is one of the eight hot bio-diversities in the world by UNESCO). Netravati River adds to its charm and lure travellers like me and captivates us to visit more often.
Visiting Dharmasthala is not new for me and has now become quite a part of my life. Whenever i get a chance or an invitation from anyone, i never shy away from it.
It is an 5 hour journey from the IT capital of India (if you are wondering what is the IT capital, God save you :P). The drive is more pleasant with scenic mountains passing by. We need to be vigilant on roads as there are many blind curves and the roads are not that wide. I guess these roads are designed keeping in mind that the non-followers would soon become theist before reaching the temple (I must say, job well done !!!)
Once you reach Dharmasthala, it is said to have a holy dip in Netravati before heading to the temple. I would advise otherwise.The water is cold and crystal clear but the river banks where we are allowed to bath are usually crowded and untidy. If you care about hygiene,skip this place and head straight to the temple.
One more highpoint for a foodie like me is the availability of free food within the temple round the clock (No,Not kidding). All you hear is “Oota ki banri..Oota ki banri” which is roughly translated as “Come and have your food”. I have been here for more than a time and at odd timings and i never had any problems with the food.
Dharmasthala is a living example of cultural harmony in India, which is sacred to both Hindus and Jains. There is Babubali Betta in Dharmasthala which is sacred to Jains and you could get to see a huge monolith of Gomateshwara.
There is also a museum and an aquarium in Dharmasthala which you could visit if you have the luxury of time.
Once Dharmasthala is done, you can head to Kukke Subramanya Swamy temple. Once you had visited the father and had his blessings, it’s time to visit his son and please him too. (Otherwise you know what happens)… Kukke Subramanya temple is 60 km from Dharmasthala which is a temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya (son of Lord Shiva).
This temple overlooks Kumara Parvata mountain (a famous mountain for treks) and forms a picture perfect backdrop for this temple. This temple is nestled amongst deep forest and many say that it houses some of the dangerous cobras. It is also believed that there are some who have sighted the famous 5-headed cobras around this area, but we cannot verify its authenticity. Interestingly this temple is dedicated to the Lord Subramanya (who is the head of the serpents and is called as a god of serpents).
Nature reveals herself in all her transparent beauty in the form of rivers, forests and mountains which these temples are surrounded by. Kumaradhara River offers a spectacular view and raw nature that it offers stays with your memories.
Western Ghats in India is one of the most important hotspots of biological diversity in this world and are home to at least 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species. These are lush green tropical forests with the most romantic weather throughout the year. Since it is lapped with nature, request all the devotees and nature lovers to not litter and be mindful of your footprints.
Some Quick Travel Info –
- Dharmasthala is in the Dakshin Kannada district of Karnataka and is near to major airports like Mangalore and Bangalore.
- By Road – Dharmasthala is well connected from Bangalore and Mangalore. Many Government buses and private tourist bus ply from Bangalore till the temple. Many Tourist Packages are available from the rest of the country.
- By Rail – Dharmasthala is not connected by rail, whereas Kukke Subramanya has a station. The service is limited but many autos and cabs are available from the station to the temple.
- Climate – Moderate cold. It is advisable to carry jackets and windcheaters as it would be cold and sudden downpours.
- There are some decent accommodation in both Dharmasthala and Kukke Subramanya but it is better to check the facilities before booking one.
Happy travel and see you guys in my next post. Until then, have a great day and stay safe 🙂
Cheers,
The Wanderer 🙂
Whispering Mountains... 