Sunday August 6 2006 00:00 IST KANCHEEPURAM: The Archaeological Survey of India has initiated steps to remove encroachments near the Mamandur cave temples.
Among many forgotten ancient relics in Kancheepuram district are the Mamandur cave temples. Ten kilometers away from Kancheepuram on the Kanchi-Vandavasi Road, the temples are carved out on a scenic chain of hillocks abutting the huge Mamandur Lake.
Tourists, both domestic and foreign, who come in large numbers to Kancheepuram, hardly pay a visit, and there are no signboards to guide the people.
According to documented sources, the caves were carved during the Mahendra Pallav reign dating back to 600 AD. Only one of the four caves is in a finished state while others have been left unfinished.
The reason for this, historians believe, is sudden invasions. The carvings have striking similarity with the ones at Mahabalipuram and huge artistic labour seems to have gone into its making.
ASI sources say that the entire hillock is under their control. Wire mesh fencing protects the carved caves and full time watchmen keep vigil. Yet the granite engravings indicating the details of each of the carved caves have been damaged due to vandalism.
Local farmers have almost occupied up to the foot of the hillock. Hence, a survey to demarcate the lands under ASI's control is being done. Stray tourists complain that there are no approach roads to the caves and the ASI office in Kancheepuram has only conservation staff who are unwilling to part with any historical facts.
The Tourism Department also has not made any steps to promote Mamandur, which has many unknown relics surrounding it.
They include the Thiruparaithkundarm Jain temple, Kurunganil Muttam cave temple, Ayannar Sanjeevarayan temple, and Lakshmi Narashimman temple at Sevilimedu.
These are in various stages of dilapidation and need immediate conservation, say history lovers.