Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple, is one of the iconic pilgrimages in Dakshina Kannada district. Nestled on the banks of the river Netravati, in Belthangady Taluk, this is an abode of Sri Manjunatha Swamy or Lord Shiva temple. As per a local legend, the Shivalinga, which is installed in Dharmasthala, was brought by a local person called Annappa. He had tremendous powers. He worked for the Heggade family. One day, when the Heggade family head urged to worship Lord Shiva, Annappa had assured him to get one, Linga, and vanished from the sight. The next day, to everyone’s surprise, he had already established the Linga in Dharmasthala, a few meters away from the Heggade house. 

Later it was learned that the Linga was from Kadri near Mangalore. By then, Annappa had vanished from the spot and he was never again seen at all, in the neighborhood. Presently, people in Dharmasthala worship Annappa as Annappa Panjurli, a local god deva, and a hero. 

What adds to the uniqueness of the Manjunatha Temple is the fact that this Shiva temple is implored by Vaishnava priests, and is supervised by a Jain Bunt family known as the Pergades. Apart from Lord Manjunatha Swamy, other deities like Ammanavaru, the Tirthankara Chandraprabha, and other Jain deities are worshipped here. 

Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatha Swamy temple presently is run and managed by, Dharmadhikari Sri Veerendra Heggade. This temple organizes, Nithya Annadhaana, Rural Development, conducts Mass Marriages, and proffers education to the poor and needy via Vidya Dhana. Various Educational Institutions are managed by the temple trust committee like SDM College in Ujire, SDM College of Engineering and Technology in Dharwad, etc… 

Address –  Dharmasthala, Belthangady, Karnataka 574216
Timings – 6:30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8:30 PM (Sundays and Mondays – Till 9 PM).