Indian Columbus

Dharmasthala can be literally translated as 'the abode of Dharma'. As per this name, one can find almost all manifestations of Dharma - duty, charity, justice, devotion, faith, etc. The entire town is a religious town considered sacred by Hindus and Jains. The main attraction of the city is Manjunath temple. It is a unique Shiva temple having Vaishnaivite (supposed to worship Lord Vishnu) priest and is administered by a Jain family. Let me explore this divine town in detail in this article. Manjunath Temple Manjunath Temple : Manjunath temple is the main attraction of Dharmasthala. Thousands of devotees throng to this temple. You can always find a long queue of devotees at the temple entrance. The 16th-century temple resembles Kerala-style architecture; from the outside, it appears more like a Chettinad Palace than a temple. The temple vimana is adorned with gold. It is a tiny temple if you exclude the dining halls, waiting rooms, devotees' rooms, etc. The main shr...

Site Name:  Shankaranarayana Site Type:  Hindu pilgrimage Location:    35 kms from Udupi, Karnataka state, India Highlights:   A rare Hindu temple where the confuluence of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu is found; one of the seven holy sites of Karnataka state of India N earest Railway Station:   Udupi Nearest Airport:   Mangalore How to reach:   Well connected by road from Udupi; do not depend on public transport Hotel:  It is better to go to Udupi for the same Restaurants:  Vegetarian low budget restaurants; hygienic food is served in the temple; the alternate is to go to Udupi Shankaranarayana is a small village in Karnataka state of India surrounded by a lot of popular heritage sites such as Udupi, Kollur, Subramanya, Sringeri, etc. It is considered as one of the seven sacred sites created by Lord Parasuram, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu within the Karnataka region. The highlight of the temple is that the main...

Site Name:  Sringeri Site Type:  Hindu pilgrimage Location:    Near Shimoga, Karnataka state, India Highlights:   An important Hindu pilgrimage site, the first Shankara math established by Adi Shankaracharya N earest Railway Station:   Shimoga Nearest Airport:   Mangalore (110 kms away) How to reach:   Well connected by road Hotel:  Accommodation is provided in temple and various small maths across the town Restaurants:  Vegetarian low budget restaurants; hygienic food is served in math Sringeri is an important Hindu pilgrim center located in Karnataka state of India. It is considered as one of the seven most sacred sites of Karnataka state. It is located in a hill surrounded by lush forest of Western Ghats and on the banks of the beautiful river of Tunga. Sringeri has many important sites. Let us explore most of them in this article. Sringeri Legend: As per the legend, it was the adobe of sage Vi...