This place is of religious interest in the interiors of Dakshina Kannada. An outstanding example of religious and cultural tolerance where charity is a way of life, extended to all without discrimination. Lord Manjunatha temple is a famous pilgrim center. Sri Dharmasthala which is one of the sacred places in South India is well known to all pious people. It is situated in the village of Dharmasthala, in Beltangady Taluk of South Canara district. The temple has Vaishnavite Archakas and is administered by Heggade, a Jain Trustee. Charity is a way of life here & is extended to all with no distinction of caste or creed. Thousands throng the temple and every visitor is fed free of charge. During Laksha Deepothsava, one lakh lamps are lit and literacy and religious discourses are held. In the recent past , 39 ft monolith of Bahubali was installed at Dharmasthala by the Heggade.

Moreover the many Jain basadis and a museum, the centrepiece of this temple town is a 39ft. monolith statue of Lord Bahubali. Dharmasthala, situated 65km east of Mangalore, in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, is a remarkable example of communal harmony and religious and cultural tolerance. The Jain tirthankara and Lord Manjunatha (Shiva) are worshipped on the same consecrated ground. Here, religious charity is a way of life. Irrespective of caste, creed, or religion, pilgrims are given free meals and lodging. During the festival of Laksha Deepotsava, 100,000 oil lamps light up the night with their tiny flames.