VEERENDRA HEGGADE Dharmasthala · Dharmadhikari
Born 25 November 1948 · Dharmasthala, Karnataka

Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade

A Life Consecrated to Dharma

Hereditary administrator of the sacred Dharmasthala Temple, a visionary leader whose decades of service are associated with spiritual stewardship, philanthropy, rural development, education, and institution-building across Karnataka.

Biography

A journey of devotion and reform

Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade portrait
Since 1968

Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade was born on 25 November 1948 and took over as Dharmadhikari of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala in 1968 at the age of 20. Public profiles and reporting also note that he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022.

His public legacy is strongly linked with food service, medicine, education, and community protection through social institutions. SKDRDP is also widely associated with large-scale rural development and self-help group mobilisation.

Born25 Nov 1948
FaithJainism
RoleDharmadhikari
HonourPadma Vibhushan
Service

Pillars of social transformation

A structured presentation of development, outreach, and institutional achievement across the core pillars of service.

Education initiative image Development
01

Vidya Dana

Education through institutions ranging from schools to professional colleges and allied learning centres.

GrowthInstitution-building
ImpactAccess to learning
Healthcare initiative image Care
02

Aushadha Dana

Healthcare access through hospitals, wellness institutions, and medical service initiatives.

GrowthMedical outreach
ImpactPublic well-being
Food service image Tradition
03

Anna Dana

Feeding devotees and visitors through longstanding traditions of organised service and hospitality.

GrowthDaily service scale
ImpactDignity through care
SKDRDP image Achievement
04

Abhaya Dana

Community empowerment through self-help groups, rural development, livelihoods, and microfinance support.

GrowthRural mobilisation
ImpactCommunity empowerment
Impact at scale

Service in numbers

0

Years of Service

0

Institutions

0

Rural Projects

0

Active Self Help Groups

Milestones

A chronicle of transformation

01

The Beginning

Born into the Heggade family, the traditional trustees of Dharmasthala, marking the start of a historic journey.

1948
02

Investiture

Ascended to the seat of Dharmadhikari at the age of 20, becoming the 21st in the lineage of trustees.

1968
03

Bahubali Statue

Commissioned and installed the monolithic 39ft statue of Lord Bahubali, a landmark achievement in spiritual heritage.

1982
04

SKDRDP Expansion

Revolutionized rural development through the massive expansion of self-help groups and social welfare programs.

1991
05

National Honour

Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, for social work and philanthropy.

2015
Recognition

National & State Honours

Padma Vibhushan Medal

Padma Vibhushan

2015

India's second-highest civilian award for exceptional service.

Karnataka Ratna Medal

Karnataka Ratna

2009

The highest civilian honour of the State of Karnataka.

Padma Bhushan Medal

Padma Bhushan

2000

India's third-highest civilian award for distinguished service.

“

Dharma is not a ritual — it is the living practice of righteousness in every act of service.

Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade Dharmadhikari