MADURAI: The Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation has urged the government to protect and preserve the remains of an ancient brick temple and a paddy granary at Pananchayal near Thondi in Ramanathapuram district.
The temple, built entirely of bricks in the Pandya architectural style, has a small sanctum and an Arthamandapa with a dome above it.
The structure is now in a dilapidated state. There are three lamp niches, three devakoshtas and 14 semi-pillars on the outer wall. The pillars feature figures such as Bodhika, Veerakanda, Paala and Kudam. The temple could have been built between the 12th and 13th centuries AD, said V Rajaguru, founder of the foundation, on Saturday. Around a pond in the south residential area of the village, black and red potsherds, iron slags, hopscotch stones and grinding stones were found scattered.
Broken shards of black and red vases, tumblers and small pots, believed to be around 2,000 years old, were also found. The paddy granary, dating to the Sethupathi period, is located to the south of the pond and is surrounded by Karuvai trees (Prosop-is juliflora).
The rectangular structure has a lime coating and is divided into three rooms. It faces east and has three gates, with small windows on the upper portion of the walls. The roof has collapsed. A black stone floor was laid two feet above the ground to prevent ground moisture from affecting stored paddy. Retaining walls meant to prevent cracks have been damaged due to garbage dumping and dense vegetation.
Rajaguru also said the Lingam and Vinayagar sculptures from the Chola era found near Pananchayal bus stop are being worshipped.