Author:
Publication: The New Indian Express
Date: July 12, 2005
URL: http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20050711231410
The Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) has unearthed the ruins of a nearly 1,300-year-old temple, believed
to be of the Pallava period, near the Tiger Cave in Mamallapuram.
The ASI excavators had recently
come across a rock inscription with details about a grant made to a nearby
temple. Based on this, they started excavation here one week ago, ASI officials
here said.
Only 25 per cent of the temple remains,
along with two more rock inscriptions belonging to the same period, had
been unearthed so far, T Sathyamurthy, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI,
Chennai Circle, who is also the director of excavations, told this website's
newspaper on Monday. He said this is the second temple unearthed in Mamallapuram
in the last one year.
''What we found are the remains
of a temple built during the Pallava period. This discovery will be of
public interest. The temple remains are located right on the beach and
it would be a wonderful treasure for those who love archaeology,'' Sathyamurthy
said.
The ASI excavators have unearthed
the plinths of the temple made out of granite stone and bricks and two
pillars with Pallava period inscriptions. ''We have not analysed the details
of the inscription yet. But from the script it has been made out that the
remains belong to the Pallava period,'' Sathyamurthy said.
It would take some more time to
unearth the complete remains as the preliminary data suggested existence
of a huge temple beneath. ''We will get a much more clear picture within
seven to 10 days. We see chances of a bigger temple underneath and the
excavation will take some more time,'' he added.
Once the excavation is completed,
the ASI would preserve the temple in its present condition. This, according
to ASI officials, would add to the tourist attraction of Mamallapuram,
one of the most important historic tourist spots in South India.
The recent excavations carried out
by the ASI have raised the interest of archaeological enthusiasts on Mamallapuram.
They believe more such temples of archaeological and historic value would
be lying covered in Mamallapuram.
