Tunnel discovered in ancient temple

Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, Nov 21: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is studying a underground beneath tunnel in a temple of Lord Muruga at Vallakottai in Kancheepuram district.

Talking to newspersons here, G Thirumurthy, a research analyst of ASI said, the ancient temple was closed 1200 years ago. The discovery of the tunnel was revealed to ASI by the temple administrative officer V Sundaramurthy, he added.

Mr Thirumurthy said he had not come across such a tunnel in any other temple so far. The tunnel was noticed when the temple authorities were digging the earth to set-up a ''mandap'' as part of renovation at an estimated cost of Rs one crore.

He said the tunnel was constructed in such a way to enable the priests to reach the precincts of the temple quickly. Two clay- pots were found in the rooms.

The ASI would conduct further study of the tunnel soon, he added.

The devotees were going to the temple in large numbers to have a glimpse of the tunnel.

UNI