Dharmasthala Temple, Dharmasthala

Dharmasthala Temple is an 800-year-old religious institution in the temple town of Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India. The deities of the temple are Shiva, who is referred to as Mañjunatha, Ammanavaru, the Tirthankara Chandraprabha and the protective gods of Jainism, Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumarasvami and Kanyakumari. The temple was reconsecrated in 16th century by Dvaita saint Vadiraja Tirtha by the request of the then administrator of the temple, Devaraja Heggade. The temple is considered unique since it belongs to the Shaiva sect of Hinduism. The priests are Madhwa Brahmins, who are Vaishnava, and the administration is run by a Jain Bunt family called the Pergades. ()