What to expect
Highlights
- The unique Shaiva–Jain–Vaishnava administration.
- Free meals (annadana) for every pilgrim.
- The Laksha Deepotsava festival of lamps.
Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
The Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple, on the bank of the Netravati in Belthangady taluk, is one of the most visited temples in Karnataka and unusual in its make-up: a Shiva (Manjunatha) temple administered by a Jain Heggade family, with Vaishnava Brahmin priests — a living symbol of religious harmony.
Practical guide
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Before you go to Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
Entry rules not verified for this temple. Some Hindu temples admit only Hindus, and most enforce a dress code at the door. We have not verified the rule for this particular temple, so please check before you travel — especially if you are not Hindu or are visiting from outside India.
We report each site's own published rules neutrally, and only where we can source them.
Typetemple
Nearest baseDharmasthala
DistrictDakshina Kannada
Best timeOctober to February
Time needed1.5 to 2 hours (longer with a meal)
EntryFree
Places to visit2→It is famous for free meals served to all pilgrims, mass weddings, and the Laksha Deepotsava festival of a hundred thousand lamps; the great Bahubali monolith stands on the hill above.
Getting there
How to visit
- ~75 km east of Mangaluru in Belthangady taluk; frequent buses and taxis, and it is on the Mangaluru–Kukke circuit.
- A living temple with a dress code — modest dress required, footwear off; free meals are served at set times and pilgrim accommodation can be arranged by the temple.
Distance by road
- Udupi60 km
- Kasaragod50 km
- Madikeri (Coorg)135 km
- Mysuru250 km
- Bengaluru350 km
Road km to Dakshina Kannada; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February; the Laksha Deepotsava (usually Nov–Dec) is the great festival but hugely crowded.
Weather in Dharmasthala Manjunatha TempleSeasonal guide
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Today at Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
Sunrise6:18 am
Sunset6:39 pm
Golden hour best light5:39 pm–6:39 pm
Blue hour after sunset6:39 pm–7:04 pm
Sun sets toward compass bearingW · 278°
Moon tonight🌖 Waning gibbous · 60%
South-west monsoon. June to September is the south-west monsoon in Karnataka. Expect heavy showers, mostly in bursts rather than all day — carry rain cover, allow extra time for getting around, and note that ferries and open-air sites are the first things affected.
Sun and moon are calculated for this location and shown in IST. Photography windows are the hour around sunrise and sunset; the sunset bearing is degrees clockwise from true north. Moon phase is accurate to about half a day.
Visitor notes
- A strict-dress-code living temple — dress modestly, footwear off, and follow the queue and meal-hall rules.
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Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple — at a glance
Timings~6:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:00 - 8:30 PM (confirm)
Best timeOctober to February; Laksha Deepotsava (Nov–Dec) crowded
Entry: Free (free meals; donations welcome)
Getting here
How to reach Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
~75 km east of Mangaluru in Belthangady taluk; bus/taxi
Getting back
Work out your return before you settle in for the sunset. Public transport here thins out sharply in the evening, and Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple is easier to reach than to leave. We do not publish departure times: there is no official live feed we are permitted to republish, and a wrong time here would strand you. Check the operator directly on the day.
- KSRTC — the Karnataka state bus operator; route and schedule enquiries. Online booking.
- Indian Railways — live running and seat availability for the nearest railhead, named under “Getting here” above.
Ask at the bus stand for the time of the last service back, not the next one. If you miss it, an auto or app cab is the fallback — agree the fare before you get in.
Getting around Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
We have not assessed physical access at this place yet. Across India, step-free routes, handrails and accessible toilets are the exception rather than the rule, and pavements are often interrupted — if step-free access matters to you, contact the site or a local operator before committing to the trip.
If you need help at Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
112All emergencies (police · fire · medical)The single number to call in any emergency (ERSS).100Police101Fire108Ambulance (emergency / EMS)1091Women’s helpline (distress)1098Child helpline1363Tourist helpline (India, 24×7, multilingual)
Emergency numbers are verified against official government and state tourism sources. 112 works anywhere in India.
Nearby
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Good to know
Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple?
October to February; the Laksha Deepotsava (usually Nov–Dec) is the great festival but hugely crowded.
What are the entry fee and timings at Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple?
Entry: Free (free meals; donations welcome). Timings: ~6:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:00 - 8:30 PM (confirm).
How do I reach Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple?
~75 km east of Mangaluru in Belthangady taluk; frequent buses and taxis, and it is on the Mangaluru–Kukke circuit. A living temple with a dress code — modest dress required, footwear off; free meals are served at set times and pilgrim accommodation can be arranged by the temple.
How much time do I need for Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple?
1.5 to 2 hours (longer with a meal).
What else is near Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple?
Nearby you can pair Bahubali Statue, Dharmasthala (540 m), Kukke Subramanya Temple (41.8 km), Pilikula Nisarga Dhama (55.6 km), Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple (55.9 km).
Read before you go
Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple guides, stories & itineraries
We have not published a story about Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple itself yet. These cover Dharmasthala, the town it sits in, and the wider district.
Karnataka-wide guides & itineraries
Route-level itineraries and practical guides for the rest of Karnataka.
Image credits
Photographs: A.Murali, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0). Wikimedia Commons.