Veerendra Heggade

Dharma Adhikari Veerendra Heggade born November 25, 1948 is a philanthropist and the hereditary administrator (Dharmadhikari) of the Dharmasthala Temple.He succeeded to the post of dharmadhikari at the age of 20, on October 24, 1968 becoming the 21st Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.

Veerendra Heggade’s first major act upon becoming Dharmadhikari was to realise his father’s dream by completing the carving and installation of the 39 ft., 170 ton Bahubali statue at Dharmastala.


In 1982, on the eve of his taking over of Dharmadhikara, Sri Heggade initiated a "grameenaabhivruddhi yojane" (Integrated Village-Welfare Program) within the Belthangadi Taluk. The program included such provisions as funding for poor farmers with agricultural credit, technical training for young people through the RUDSET Insititute program, a temperance effort, and money management classes for rural women. He also established the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) group which manages more than 30 educational institutions.

In 1993, during silver jubilee celebrations of his Patthabhisheka, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then President of India, called Veerendra Heggade Rajarshi. In 2000, the government of India awarded him the prestigious Padma Bhushan award for his services in the fields of education, religion and social welfare.

Heggade has been awarded honorary doctorates from Mangalore University, Gulbarga University and Karnataka University for his social welfare activities.

Personal life

Born in a Jain Bunt family,He is the eldest among the four sons born to Ratnavarma Heggade and Rathnamma Heggade (née Shetty),the others being Harshendra Kumar,Surendra Kumar and Rajendra Kumar.Heggade is married to Hemavathi Heggade and has a daughter named Shraddha. In January 2006, his mother Rathnamma Heggade aged 80 died in Janthigoli when a van collided with the car in which she was travelling.Heggade is a car collector and photography aficionado. His car collection is on display in Dharmastala.

Contribution towards preserving Tuluva culture
Heggade has been a great supporter of preserving Tuluva culture and heritage. The temple town of Dharmasthala hosted The World Tulu Convention from 10 to 13 December 2009. As a precursor to the grand event the organizing committee held Tulu language related educational and cultural programmes in all 7 Tulu speaking taluks in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. The taluks include, Mangalore, Bantwal, Belthangady, Sullia, Puttur, Karkala and Udupi under the leadership of Heggade.

Dr. Veerendra Heggade Gets Karnataka Ratna Award

By Team Mangalorean Bangalore


BANGALORE, January 13, 2010: The Karnataka government has announced a Makara Sankranti gift to Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Dharmadikari Dr. Veerendra Heggade by giving him "Karnataka Ratna" award for the year 2009 for his outstanding contribution to the humanity.

The State Government headed by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announced this award here on Wednesday.

The Karnataka Ratna award for the year 2008 has been given to Kannada writer De Jaware Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University. Kannada litterateur and winner of the Padma Shri D. Javare Gowda observed a dawn-to-dusk fast in 2006 seeking classical language status for Kannada.

Dr. Javare Gowda, who is known as "De Ja Gow" in literary circles, said he chose Sarvodaya Day for his protest as Mahatma Gandhi had advocated supremacy of the mother tongue.

Dr. Javare Gowda, who had threatened to return the Padma Shri if the Centre did not accord classical language status to Kannada by January 1, 2006, said he decided against the move in anticipation of a positive reply from Dr. Kalam. Because of his protest, the Kannada has been granted classical status by the Centre on November 1, 2008.

Noted Kannada writer and Jnanapeet award winner late Kuvempu was the first recipient of the Award in the early 1990s during the S Bangarappa regime.

Dr Heggade runs several primary schools, college, engineering institutes, nursing and medical and dental colleges across the State. He also recently announced that the temple would build houses for the flood affected people in north Karnataka.

Some of the awards won by Heggade are:

Padmabhushan Award 1999-2000, Government of India
Honorary Fellowship of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (FRCPS) of Glasgow, Glasgow University, the UK, 2005
Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award, 1994
Karnataka Rajyotsava Award 1985, Government of Karnataka
‘Rajarshi’ title honour from President of India, 1993
Honorary Doctorate from Mangalore University, Mangalore, 1994
Shri Chandrashekhar Saraswathi National Eminence Award, 2003
Kannadiga of the Year Award from ETV Channel, 2004

History of Dharmasthala:

Dharmasthala, located in Dakshina Kannada district, about 300 km west of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, has not just remained a source of inspiration to the devout but has been propagating the meaning of Dharma to encompass the advancement of society at large. It has played a proactive role in bettering the lives of poor communities far and wide. Established about 600 years ago, the temple has been managed by a Jain family. Millions of pilgrims visit Dharmasthala temple every year to seek the blessings of Lord Manjunathaswamy.

Now, the present head of the temple is Dharmadhikari Dr. Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade. Born on November 25, 1948, Dr. Veerendra Heggade, son of Shri Ratnavarma Heggade, assumed the responsibilities of the temple at the tender age in 1968. Since then he has carried the family heritage to greater heights. Dr. Heggade rapidly grew into the responsibilities of his office and started to transform the charitable work of the temple into a modern rural development institution, which touches the lives of people with a transformational directness that is unique. His remarkable service to mankind for the last four decades won him several awards and accolades from across the world.

Dr. Heggade has left no field/activity untouched. He and the temple management reach out to the needy people in Karnataka and other parts of the country through charity, empowerment, knowledge-building, finance and technology. Dr. Heggade initiated a wide range of works and has set up schools, medical, dental, engineering, business management and, law colleges and hospitals throughout the region. Dharmasthala is also engaged in several other works such as preservation and promotion of art, architecture and culture, with Dr. Heggade taking an abiding interest.

Because of Dr. Heggade’s yeoman service, Dharmasthala has become well-known beyond its neighbourhood. Under the present regime, the temple has become not only an abode of peace but also a philanthropic institution for the poor and the needy.

In the early 1980s, Dr. Heggade conceived two institutions - Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) and Rural Development and Self-employment Training Institute (RUDSETI). Both were established in 1982. While SKDRDP was set up to serve the people in the rural areas, RUDSETI was established to offer training to unemployed youth to take up self-employed venture through entrepreneurship. Both institutions aim at poverty alleviation through sustainable livelihood programmes for small and marginal farmers, landless labourers, women and educated youth, with the target group largely from weaker sections.

Dr. Veerendra Heggade

Born on November 25, 1948, Dr. Veerendra Heggade is the son of Shri Ratnavarma Heggade, former Dharmadhikari, was a boy of great dignity and devotion. Nurtured by the piety of his father's administrative skills and dedication to Dharma, Mr. Heggade showed great maturity at an early age, a maturity that proved itself when the mantle of Heggadeship (Dharmadhikari) fell on his young shoulders at the tender age of 20, on 24th October 1968, while he was preparing for his graduation from Bangalore University.

In less than four decades, since he assumed responsibilities in 1968, he has carried his heritage to greater heights. Not only by continuing to protect the essence of the Kshetra, but also by achieving remarkable progress in his service to mankind.

What distinguishes Shri Veerendra Heggade is that while being the head of a revered religious institution, he is, today, far more than that. His years of practicing 'active' Dharma have given him a vision that combines social issues such as education and environment with religion. This has resulted in him being requested to grace a variety of functions and his opinions treated with immense respect. His advice is sought by the high and mighty on every topic under the sun, bar politics, which he eschews. Amazingly though, Shri Heggade's common touch sees the ordinary supplicant as comfortable in seeking him out as a friend, philosopher and guide. Several religious Mutts have conferred honorific titles such as 'Dharma Rathna', 'Dharma Bhushana', 'Paropakara Dhurandara', 'Abhinava Chamundaraya'

Mr. Heggade's contributions to the religion are immense. He convened a "Dharma Jagrithi Sammelan" at Bangalore in the year 1977, a conference to focus the attention of the people on need to change traditional practices to suit present day social condition. More than 15 Matadhipathis participated for the first time on a common platform. Installed 39 feet high monolithic statue of Bhagwan Bahubali Swamy at Dharmasthala and conducted Maha Masthakabhisheka ceremony in 1982 and 1995. S.D.M. Dharmothana Trust ® was established to renovate archeological and historic important temples of Karnataka. 55 Temples have been renovated till 2004. He also contributes for Communal Harmony through his regular Lectures. Publishes and distributes more than 60,000 copies of moral education High School students. Competitions are held for the students on topics selected on them and prizes awarded to the best students in each school. Mr. Heggade attended WCRP Conference held at Nairobi and Osaka.

Mr. Heggade contributions to the culture are:

• He continued the tradition of the Kshetra to hold annual 'Sarva Dharma and Sahitya Sammelana' at Dharmasthala. The 72nd Session of the Sammelana was held in 2004.
• He is a patron of Art and Literature, a voracious reader, publishes a publication series and a monthly journal "Manjuvani".
• To propagate Naturopathy, Yoga and Moral Education, 400 Teachers of High Schools and Primary Schools train more than 30,000 students every year in Yoga, Moral and Spiritual Education.
• He has contributed to the revival of "Yakshagana" by maintaining pure traditional approach to Yakshagana.
• "MANJUSHA" a Museum was established displaying rare collections of antiques and contemporary rare and valuable collections. A 'Vintage Car Museum' attached to this Museum has interesting cars from many Nations.
• 4000 Palm-leaf manuscripts are preserved and research is conducted by Scholars for "Sri Manjunatheshwara Samskrithi Samshodhana Prathistana"

As the President of S.D.M. Educational Society and S.D.M. Educational Trust ®, Ujire, he has established and managed the following Institutions:

• Introduced Post Graduation course at Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College, Ujire
• "RATHNAMANASA" - A model Hostel with training imparted in Agriculture, Horticulture, Dairying and a concept of future farmers and citizens was established for High School boys at Ujire.
• "SRI SIDDAVANA GURUKULA" - A model Hostel for College students at Ujire, inspires students in agriculture, moral education and training in leadership programmes.

Contributions to Social Welfare:

• Started Free Mass Marriage every year in Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala since 1972. 10,000 couples wedded under this scheme by April 2004.
• Constructed Marriage Halls at Bangalore, Kallahalli, Bhadravathi, Mysore, Shravanabelagola and Bantwal for the benefit of middle and low-income people to conduct marriages.
• Introduced a Rural Development Project, in Coastal District of Karnataka, comprising of 600 Villages and 6 urban towns. The project is facilitating empowerment of 1,35,000 families in agriculture, transfer of technology, women empowerment, housing, alternative sources of energy, income generating activity, micro finance, education and health.
• Recently has been propagating the importance of tapping solar energy and provided such facilities to several villages.
• Established the Rural Development and Self-Employment Training Institute (RUDSETI) in collaboration with Syndicate Bank, Syndicate Agricultural Foundation and Canara Bank to train the rural un-employed youth for Self-Employment and Volunteers for Rural Development in 1982. Since then 20 branches of the RUDSETI were started all over India. Upto June 2004, 1,50,000 youths have been trained and settlement rate is 65%.
• Hosted several National Seminars including the one on "Rural India Real India" to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations of Syndicate Bank.

Mr. Heggade is the President of - Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Trust (Regd.) and S.D.M., Educational Society (Regd.), Ujire; Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Medical Trust (Regd.), Dharmasthala; Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust (R.) Dharmasthala; and Shanthivana Trust (Regd.), Dharmasthala.

Education Institutions:
Primary School: S.D.M Higher Primary schools at Dharmasthala, Ujire, Puduvettu, Mayyadi.
High Schools:

• S.D.M High Schools at Dharmasthala, Ujire, Belal, Perinje.
• Mangala Jyothi School for Disabled Vamanjoor, Mangalore
• S.D.M. English Medium School, Ujire.

Colleges:

• S.D.M College, Ujire.
• S.D.M College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Ujire.
• S.D.M Law College, Mangalore.
• S.D.M Ayurveda Pharmacy. Udupi.
• S.D.M. College of Ayurveda and Hospital Udupi, Hassan.
• S.D.M. Ayurveda Hospital Mangalore, Chickmagalore.
• M.M.K & S.D.M College for Women, Mysore.
• S.D.M College of Engineering and Technology, Dharwad.
• J.S.S Banashankari Arts & Shanthikumar Gubbi Science College Dharwad.
• JSS K.H Kabbur Institute of Engineering, Dharwad.
• S.D.M College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad.
• S.D.M. Medical College & Hospital, Dharwad
• J.S.S Sakri Law College, Hubli.
• S.D.M. Cranio Facial Hospital, Dharwad.
• S.D.M. College of Physiotherapy Dharwad.
• S.D.M. B.B.M. College, Mangalore.
• S.D.M. Naturecure Hospital, Dharmasthala.

Other Institutions:

• Yakshagana Training Centre, Dharmasthala.
• Middle level training Centre for Anganawadi Supervisors (sponsored by National Institute of Public Co-operation and Child Development, New Delhi).
• Manjushree Press, Ujire.
• Nethravathi Fine Arts Training Centre, Ujire.
• S.D.M Industrial Training Centre, Venoor.
• S.D.M Industrial Training Centre, Samse, S.D.M Technical Institute, Mangalore.
• S.D.M Institute for Management Development, Mysore
• J.S.S Economic Research Institute, Dharwad.
• J.S.S School of Arts & Crafts, Dharwad.

Mr. Heggade has received numerous awards for his various contributions to the community. They are:

• "PADMABHUSHAN" Award by the Government of India on 30-03-2000 for social work and Communal Harmony.
• "RAJARSHI" title from president of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1993.
• "DHARMABHUSHAN" Award during the Mahamasthakabhisheka of Bhagwan Bahubali held at Venur in February 2000.The Government of Karnataka honoured him with "Rajyothsava award" for social work in November 1985.
• Has been awarded Honorary "Doctorate" by Mangalore University for Social work in January 1994.
• Honoured with "Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award" by All India Unity Conference at New Delhi on November 18, 1994.
• Honoured with "Man of the Year" award by Public Relations Society of India at Bangalore in June 1994.
• Sri P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister of India presented "FICCI AWARD" for Rural Development activities in Belthangady Taluk by S.K.D.R.D.P. on May 12, 1995.
• Sri Atal Bihari Vajapayee, former Prime Minister of India presented "FICCI AWARD" for Rural Development & Self Employment activities by RUDSET Institute on November 20, 1999.
• "FIE" award by FIE foundation, Kollhapur at Maharashtra in March 1997.
• "DHARMA RATHNAKARA" on the occasion of Udupi Paryaya Mahotsav during January 1998.
• "Indian Merchants Chambers Award–1998" for Rural Development by I.M.C. Diamond Jubilee Endowment Trust at Mumbai in April 1999.
• "Living legend of the Century" award by Lions Millennium Celebrations Committee, Mangalore.
• Rotary International conferred "SAPPHIRE " recognition.
• Karnataka Govt. awarded the "Rajyothsava Prashasthi" for contributions to social work and religious harmony.
• Mangalore University conferred Doctor of Philosophy of social work on Communal Harmony.
• "Vatika Varshada Kannadiga – 2004" by E.T.V. Kannada at Hassan on November 20, 2004.
• "Gourava Fellowship Award" by Karnataka Tulu Sahithya Academy at Mangalore on February 3, 2004.
• "FRCPS (Fellowship of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons)" by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons at Glasgow, United Kingdom on June, 6, 2005.
• "Giants International Award" by Giants International at Mumbai on September 17, 2005.

Mr. Heggade is the Director of Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI), Mumbai and an Honorary Rotarian of Belthangady P.H.F. He is also a member of - National Foundation for Communal Harmony, Delhi; Shree Amarnathji Shrine Board, Jammu and Kashmir; Advisory Board of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development; and Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams Development Advisory Council.

Profile courtesy:
http://www.mangalorean.com/