In Dharmasthala, a picturesque temple town in Karnataka, you will find a most unexpected thing "� a vintage car museum filled with classic beauties. Dodges, Studebakers, Rolls-Royces, Cadillacs, Renaults "� all of these and more call the Manjusha Car Museum home, and they're all in running condition. The town's centre of attraction is, however, the lovely Manjunatha temple, with a Shiva idol, a Vaishnavite head priest and a Jain family at the helm of affairs. Every single person visiting the temple is served a delicious, piping hot lunch.
The Manjusha Art Museum looks so-so from the outside but don't let that fool you "� there's a great collection inside, including a whale-skeleton. A little outside town, there's a nice bathing ghat where you can sit under the trees and while away some time.
Dharmasthala is about 275 km from Bangalore and the drive is just superb. Go via Hassan and Belur, the back road is a driver's dream. All the accommodation in Dharmasthala is run by the temple trust and is simple but clean.
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