PUDUKKOTTAI: Residents of Narthamalai panchayat and travel enthusiasts have demanded that Narthamalai and Kadambar hills be developed as proper tourist sites for its historic architectural significance and to boost up the local economy.
Manikandan A, founder of Pudukkottai Heriage Research Centre, said, "The Narthamalai and Kadambar hills, both built around the 9th century, features inscriptions from the Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara periods. The two rock-cut temples, the Vijayalaya Choleeswaram in Narthamalai built by Mutharaiyar Cheiftain in the early 9th century and the Kadambar temple in Kadambar hills built by Raja Raja Chola from the 10th century are unique and among the finest examples of temple architecture of that time.
The sculptures and paintings from the early Chola and Nayakar periods can be placed on par with those at Ellora." M Velu, Narthamalai panchayat president said, "Several foreigners come to visit the temples in both the hills. If this place is developed into a tourist site it could boost the local economy.
The district administration has already sent a proposal and it's yet be reviewed for sanction, we urge the state government to take quick action in transforming Narthamalai into a tourist hub." Sources from the Tourism department of Pudukkottai said,
"As both the hills are protected monuments by the ASI, after consulting with them recently a proposal for both the hills worth Rs 5 crore was sent through the district administration to the state government." T Manikandan, a tourist who visited the place with his family from Tiruverumbur BHEL area said,
"After watching Ponniyin Selvan movie, I wanted to show my children the legacies of Tamil culture and the marvels our forefathers had created, so I brought them to the place. But the place lacks basic amenities and explanations which would help the tourists."