The story features the struggle of two orphaned children, oppressed and exploited by an evil stepmother.

Jnanambika, the heroine of the film, is the daughter of a wealthy landlord, Rajasekharan. After the death of her mother, her father marries again. Rajamani, the villainous second wife tortures Jnanambika, forcing her to run away from home.

The king of Maninagaram is cheated, dethroned and banished from the country by Regent Chandra Varma. The royal priest and army officer Prathapan lend support all the treacherous plans of the Regent. When the noble army chief Rajendran voices his protest against the Regent and the priest, he is imprisoned.