PLACES

DHARMAPURI

Dharmapuri, with 3,583 inhabitants in 1961, is a village in Ambejogai tahsil, well-known for the Kedaresvar temple of considerable antiquity. Hemadpanti in style, it is situated to the east of the village and has sufficient architectural elegance to evoke admiration of the visitors. Twelve strong pillars support the sabhamandap, which has a 2.43 metres (8') wide verandah on all its four sides. It contains a nandi image based in the traditional posture. The vestibule, with its door-frame bearing artistic designs, besides containing a ling has in the rear idols of Parvati, Sankar and a few other deities. Most of them are disfigured and defaced. But the remains give an impression that the idols were elaborately designed and perfectly shaped. The sikhar or the dome of the temple has also carvings upon it and are exuberant in style and composition. The western part of the temple which had crumbled has been rebuilt. Remains of the collapsed structures indicate the existence of corridors.

Ayice Mandir: Located in the heart of the village, this Hemadpanti temple is reported to be of considerable antiquity. In front of the temple a decayed lamp-pillar or dipmal of burnt bricks could be seen. The door leads the visitor into a hall 6.10 metres (20 ft.) in length and 2.43 metres (8 ft.) in breadth. At both the extreme ends are small shrines, one containing a Sivaling and the other an idol of Ganapati. Beyond this hall is the main sabhamandap, having 48 pillars. Almost each and every pillar bears some engraved designs. In the rear of the mandap is the gabhara containing a crudely shaped idol of the goddess. Nearby there are two other idols. Outside the temple to the right there are the remains of another temple. A few carvings could still be seen. It does not contain any idol.