Dharmastala - Selfless Service!

It was almost eight when we reached Dharmastala - a town known for benevolence. It is located in one of the most scenic spots in the Western Ghats on the banks of the river Nethravathi. Interestingly, the administration here is run by Jains and the poojas are performed by Madhva priests. The Lingam is made from gold and there is no police force in the town. Tradition goes that the entire town is guarded by the deity (Lord Manjunatheshwara). Devotees believe that nothing could be taken possession of, by humans, in the sacred town. Not even stone. A massive dining facility run by the temple administration serves food to more than ten thousand devotees a day - free of cost! Besides just this, the administration also runs charitable educational institutions and hospitals. Mass weddings are conducted every year to aid families that can't afford marriages of their own.

Coming back, we had a great darshan and my father was in tears for an untold reason. I perceived them to be tears of joy. Being the eldest son in the family and going on such a trip with a lot of younger relatives and their children took its toll on him, probably. One thing that makes me(and should make all humans) most uncomfortable is the sight of someone crying. This time, it was my dad and the tears were contagious. We had dinner and started towards the twin town - Kukke Subrahmanya, where we go every year to express our gratitude to our family deity.