Dharmasthala

Dharmastala represents religious tolerance. A Jain Tirthankara is worshipped beside Daivas and Lord Manjunatha. The priests in Dharmasthala Temple are Vaishnavite Brahmins and the protector of the temple a Heggade. Dharmasthala Temple which houses the shrine of Shiva,Manjunatha, Ammanavaru, Chandranath and the Dharma Daivas namely Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumaraswamy and Kanyakumari. The temple is curious in that it is run by a Jain administration and poojas are conducted by Hindu priests of Madhva order. Lakshadeepa- the festival of lights is the annual festival of Dharmasthala comes off in November–December. On an average the flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people a day. A mechanized kitchen provides free food for all pilgrims and there are guest houses with contemporary amenities.