Dharmasthala is perhaps the most highly revered and best known Temple town in Karnataka. Located amidst the picturesque Western Ghats on the banks of the Netravati River, it is about 100 kms. from Udupi.

This holy place is the home of the Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple, where devotees of all caste and creed visit and which is well known for charity. Everyone enjoys the generous hospitality without any distinction of caste, creed or class whatsoever. On an average the flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people everyday. A mechanised and clean kitchen provides free food for all pilgrims can feel comfortable at the guest houses, which have all modern amenities.

The present head of Dharmasthala, Padmashri Dr. Veerendra Heggade, the 21st in succession to the Dharmadhikari Peetha, has lived upto the great tradition. He has not only continued to uphold the sacred tradition, but carried out his ancestral heritage to a greater height. In doing so he has also achieved remarkable progress in his service to mankind. For over 25 years, Sri Veerendra Heggade has endeared himself by dedicating himself to the service of God and man in religious, cultural and educational fields. He has launched several socio-economic programmes, which have directly benefited the poor. Free mass weddings which were started in 1973 have gained immense popularity over the years. This is a boon to those poor people who cannot afford weddings on their own.

In 1973 a statue of Lord Bahubali carved out of a single rock, was installed at Dharmasthala on low hill near the Manjunatha temple. It was about 39 feet heigh and weighed about 175 tonnes. It is second in height only to the colossal 58 feet statue of Gomateshware at Sravanabelagola, near Mysore.

More than 25 institutions from primary schools to professional colleges are run in and around Dharmasthala . Old and decrepit Temples have been renovated, taking care to preserve the traditional architecture. Ancient manuscripts and paintings have been painstakingly restored and preserved for posterity. A museum of beautiful antique objects, which is both educative and fascinating, has been established. A car museum houses a rare collection of vintage cars. Every year, a Sarva Dharma Sammelan (multi religious meet) is held at Dharmasthala, which attracts spiritual leaders from various faiths and schools, and patrons of art and literature, from far and wide.

This is also among of the few pilgrim centers in India, which provides free boarding and lodging to all the visiting devotees. The exponentially increasing number of visitors is a proof of the good work being done here.