Darmeshwarar Temple Manimangalam

 temple, monument

Manimangalam is the place where Narasimha Varma Pallava defeated the Chalukyas in the 7th century A.D. Kalki has written about the Manimangalam battle in his book ‘Sivagamiyin Sabatham’. He describes how Mahendra Varma Pallava was injured in the battle at Manimangalam and how his son Narasimha Varma Pallava and his trusted lieutenant Paranjoti vanquished Pulikesi’s army.

Dharmeshvarar Temple at Manimangalam

This is an Archeological Society of India (ASI) maintained temple and so, like other ASI maintained temples, this is also nicely fenced and landscaped. The temple is very beautiful and is present in a nice environment with a mammoth Peepul tree in the huge open space in front. Unusually Nandhi and Bali peetam are present outside the inner prahara wall. Nandhi was looking at the prahara wall without even a window in the wall. A beautiful Lord Ganesha is sitting under the Sthala Vruksham. The Koshta gods are beautifully sculpted. This was also built by Klothunga Chola and so has the Gajaprashta Vimanam. Shiva is present in the sanctum sanctorum as Dharmeeswarar in linga form with Ambal in a separate shrine.

One is assured of immense satisfaction and peace with the serene atmosphere of the temple and the village.

For a travelogue, visit here:
shanthiraju.wordpress.com/2008/02/28/visit-to-somangala...