Mallikarjunar Temple, Dharmapuri

Mallikarjunar Temple in Dharmapuri, also known as the Fort Temple, Kottai Easwaran or Kottai Sivan Temple, stands on the Dharmapuri bus stand–Tiruppatur road, next to the milk depot. It recalls the Athiyaman Fort that once stood here, and is a Vaippu Sthalam sung by Sundarar. The deity is a lingam known as Mallikarjunar, called Rajarajesvaramudayar in inscriptions, and the goddess is Kamatchi Ammai.

The temple holds the samadhi of Siddhalingesvarar, where the first worship of the day is offered. The goddess shrine is shaped as if carried by 18 elephants, and the goddess, known as Thakadur Kamatchi or Sulini Raja Durga, is shown in full form on only one day; on other days only her face is seen. A dancing Shiva and the guardians of the eight directions stand in the mahamandapa, whose sculpture is admired, and there are images of Yoga Narasimha, Virabhadra, Bhairava and Surya, with shrines to Valampuri Ganesha and Subramania.