Rewinding centuries
Fossils
The history of Pushpagiri dates back not just in historical years, but in geological time scale. The Tambaram-Sriperumbudur stretch is a treasure trove for fossil enthusiasts. A huge deposit of fossils is waiting to be uncovered here. These fossils are found in a place popularly known as the "Sriperumbudur bed" that comprises parts of Gunduperumbedu, Manimangalam, Mosur, Vallam, Kaavanur and Poonamallee villages. Called "outcrops," the fossils were formed several million years ago. It is said that the fossil remains indicate that about 150 million years ago there were hardly any flowering plants here.The dominant groups were conifers and cycads. These fossils were formed thanks to sedimentation, resulting in what was known as shale beds. (http://hindu.com/2006/08/14/stories/2006081417010100.htm)
Kings, Battles and Historic Temples
The village of Manimangalam, which is around 2.5 km from our school, holds a very high historic importance because of the huge battle fought here between NarasimhavarmaPallava and the Chalukya King Pulikesi II.This event finds a place in the history of South India as the place where NarasimhaVarma Pallava defeated the Chalukyas in the 7th century A.D and retained and re-established the Pallava Empire in Kanchipuram. This fact is mentioned in the copper plates discovered at Kooram. The great historical writer and novelist, Kalki Krishnamurthy has also written about the Manimangalam battle in his book ‘SivagamiyinSabatham’. He describes how MahendraVarmaPallava was injured in the battle at Manimangalam, and how his son NarasimhaVarmaPallava and his trusted lieutenant Paranjoti vanquished Pulikesi’s army. .(http://treasuresoftamilnadu.blogspot.in/2008/12/manimangalam.html)
Manimangalam also has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva called Sri Dharmeswarar. According to the inscriptions, this temple is said to have got constructed by Chozhas. This temple has mentions in the inscriptions as Grama Sikhamani Chathurvedhi Mangalam, belonging to kunrathur Naadu, a division of Puliyur Kottam in the district of Jayamkonda Chozha Mandalam.In ancient days, the lands along with temple were donated by the kings to the Vedic scholars for performing Vedic rituals for the wellbeing of the country. Such villages were called as Chathurvedhi Mangalams. Manimangalam is one such village and was called as GramaSikhamaniChathurvedhiMangalam.The looks and the structure itself show the antiquity of the temple. One can notice many inscriptions along the walls of the temple. Today, this temple is maintained by Archeological Society of India and is protected properly. (http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Manimangalam_Sri_Dharmeswarar)
Another temple of historical importance is the Kailasanathar temple built in A.D 950 by a Telugu Chola King VijayaBaalayaCholan. This temple was worshiped and then renovated by various Kings namely;Raja RajaCholan during A.D 985(Builder of the famous Tanjavur Brahadeeshwarar temple), RajendraCholan in A.D.1014; KulothungaCholan in A.D.1070 as per local inscriptions available. (http://drlsravi.blogspot.in/2011/10/manimangalam-kailasanathar-temple.html)
