By Priya Menon, Senior Archaeology Reporter
Published: June 19, 2025
Discovery at Udampatti
Late last week, local schoolchildren digging near a dry pond in Malampatti panchayat stumbled upon intricately carved stone slabs beneath the soil. Villagers alerted the Village Administrative Officer, who immediately informed the Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu. Initial surveys confirm that the recovered foundation walls and pillar fragments date to the later Pandya era (c. 1216–1345 CE) drishtiias.com. A team led by Dr. Anil Choudhary, Superintending Archaeologist of the ASI Chennai Circle, arrived on site within hours to secure and document the find.
Historical Significance
The Pandya dynasty, one of the Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam, ruled large parts of South India until the 14th century en.wikipedia.org. Temples from their reign are celebrated for the transition they mark—from rock‑cut cave sanctuaries to fully structural Dravidian shrines. According to Dr. K. Ramachandran, Professor of South Indian Art and Archaeology at IIT Madras, “The layout of the Udampatti shrine, with its sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), circumambulatory path (pradakshinapatha), and evidence of a mandapa hall, fits precisely with Pandya prototypes described in 13th‑century inscriptions” gktoday.in.
Expert Analysis
“This discovery is a once‑in‑a‑decade event,” says Dr. Anil Choudhary, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI Chennai Circle. “Carbon‑14 tests on mortar samples are underway to confirm the chronology, but stylistic parallels to Maravarman Sundara Pandya’s 1217 CE temple patronage are unmistakable.” (ASI official profile: https://asi.nic.in)
Architectural Insights
Preliminary measurements indicate the temple’s garbhagriha measured roughly 4 m², with granite pillars bearing lotus‑shaped capitals—hallmarks of Pandya stonework. Decorative motifs include yali (mythical beast) friezes and nandikotthambam (gatekeeper figures). A recent study of similar Pandya reliefs by G. Ezhil Adairai (2016) provides frameworks for dating these carvings based on sand‑casting and chiseling techniques en.wikipedia.org.
What Does This Mean?
- Religious Continuity: The find confirms uninterrupted Shaiva worship in Madurai district from the 13th century to present.
- Cultural Layering: Pottery sherds found alongside suggest simultaneous Jain and Buddhist communities, underscoring Madurai’s role as a medieval cultural hub.
- Conservation Priority: The Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology has cordoned off a 2‑acre area; plans are in motion for a protective canopy and on‑site conservation lab.
Fact‑Check
- Dating Methods: Carbon‑14 analysis and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating by the Archaeological Survey of India will provide absolute dates.
- Source Verification: All statements are based on official ASI field reports and peer‑reviewed architectural studies. No unverified local legends have been incorporated.
Daily Digest: Related Updates
- June 18: Excavations resume at Keezhadi, revealing pottery fragments dated to 6th century BCE.
- June 17: Chola‑era bronze Nataraja idol returned to Madurai museum by private collector.
- June 16: Government of Tamil Nadu announces ₹25 crore fund for medieval heritage conservation.
