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The Manjunath Temple, at the foot of Kadri
Hills near Dharmasthala
attracts devotees and tourists in thousands. Dating back to about 1068 AD,
the Manjunath Temple here attracts thousands of people all through the
year.
Built in the Vijaynagara style of architecture, Manjunath Temple is neat
and middle-sized with a homogenous main building that imparts a squarish
look to the temple. During 'Laksha Deepotsava', one-lakh lamps are lit and
literary and religious discourses are held.
Every person who comes here irrespective of caste or creed is welcomed
and given a free meal. The temple has traces of Buddhist influence. This
is evident from the presence of images of the Buddha with reliefs of
Garuda.
The presiding deity is Shree Manjunath, Udbhava Linga, which is a natural
stone slab found almost parallel to the level of the floor of the 'garbha
griha'. An amazing fact is that any amount of water poured on it
disappears immediately.
There are two figures, one of which is that of Matsyendranatha in the
southern niche seated having his palms held one over the other on his
folded right leg.
The other figure is that of Sringinatha, which has a three-hooded serpent
over its well-carved krita, which is ornamented with three tiers behind
it. The central niche, on the western side, has a male figure said to be
that of Gorakhanath, which is nearly six feet tall.
The sub-deities in the temple are Durgaparmeshwari, Ganapathi, Shastavee
and Gomukha Ganpathi, Trilokeshwara, Vyasa Muni and Vishnu. Each of these
sub-deities has a smaller shrine dedicated to them.
A tall wooden 'deepa sthamba' with a bronze covering greets you as you
climb up to the temple. The huge bronze statue of Trilokeshwara that
catches one's attention in the temple dates way back to 968 AD.
This life size, three-faced, six-armed figure of the seated Bodhisathva
with enameled eyes and an intricately carved crown is surrounded by a well
curved prabhavali and two attendants--giving the idol an aura of divinity.