Chennai: Though it is considered industrially backward carries the tag of an arid district and too far from the state capital, the shore town of Thoothukudi has enormous potential to be developed as a heritage circuit involving Adichanallur, Korkai and Kazhugumalai. With the Union minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping Pon Radahkrishnan keen on developing the port and cruise tourism, as well, the prospects of tourism development in the coastal district appear bright.
The development of a heritage circuit would also augur well for growth of neighbouring districts of Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari which also abound in ancient temples and numerous tourist attractions, say experts.
The pre-historic mining site of Adichanallur, is located 24 km south-east of Tirunelveli and about 9 km north of Korkai in Thoothukudi district. Korkai is a small village in Srivaikuntam Taluk in the district and it lays about 3 km to the north of the river Tamaraparani. This site is referred to in Tamil Sangam literature, and is known as an important port of pearl fishery and was a commercial capital and important seaport of the Pandya kingdom. The Kalugumalai, which boasts of monolithic rock architecture is situated in the Kovilpatti taluk in the district.
The geo-archaeological survey conducted at Adichanallur by the Chennai Circle, Archaeological Survey of India, scientists from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, reveal that Adichanallur and Krishnapuram, besides being the prehistoric burial site, were one of the longest open cast mines of ancient times. Copper, gold and iron at were mined at Adichanallur and iron at Krishnapuram village - one of the burial sites along the banks of Tamaraparani river.
“Perhaps more amenities and hotels in the vicinity could enhance the volume of tourists including foreigners who would be keen to explore the ancient sites,” says Ravi a tour operator. But above all, there is an urgent need to effectively market these places at national and international levels, he adds. The Vettuvan Kovil at Kalugumalai hillock for instance, has the resemblances of Ellora and this ought to be branded as a destination.
