ASI unearths Siva temple at Namakkal

Namakkal, Dec 10 (UNI) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a Lord Siva temple near Vasalurpatti lake in Kolli Hills here, the ancient kingdom of the celebrated King 'Valvil Ori'.

Official sources said the authorities of the Namakkal district found the ruins of the temple while beautifying the lake, which was already developed by the district administration as a boat house.

In turn, they informed the ASI authorities and sought their assistance for further research. The ASI team found inscriptions, idols of Vinayaka and Pichadanar and a Sivalingam in the temple.

Surveying the nearby areas, they also discovered a burial chamber of megalithic period, the sources added.

The ASI officials, who were excavating the place, claimed that the temple might have been built during the Chola period.

Officials said the discovery of the ancient temple would attract more tourists to the hills.

UNI