Aragalur-ஆறகழூர் வெங்கடேசன்.பொன்: சேலம் மாவட்டம் வேம்படிதாவளம் புதிர்நிலை-times of india செய்தி

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=Salem-research-team-discovers-1200-year-old-twin-29082016005016

சேலம் மாவட்ட வரலாற்று தேடல் குழுவை சேர்ந்த திரு விழுப்புரம் வீரராகவன்,திரு சுகவனமுருகன்,ஆறகழூர் பொன்.வெங்கடேசன்,கலைச்செல்வன் ஆசிரியர் ,காளியப்பன் சீனிவாசன் ஆகியோர் அடங்கிய குழு சேலம் மாவட்டம் வேம்படிதாவளம் அருகே கோட்டைப்புதூர் என்ற ஊரில் கண்டறிந்த புதிர்நிலை பற்றி இன்றைய டைம்ஸ் ஆப் இந்தியா(28/08/2016) ஆங்கில நாளிதழில் செய்தி வெளி வந்துள்ளது

Aug 29 2016 : The Times of India (Chennai)

Salem research team discovers 1,200-year-old twin maze

MT Saju

Chennai:

Two 1,200-year-old labyrinths were discovered by a group of heritage enthusiasts in Kottaipudhur village near Vempadithaavalam in Salem.With a radius of 15m and circumference of 140m covering an area of 700sqft, the labyrinths could be one of the largest discovered in the country .

The labyrinths, found by members of Salem District Historic Research Forum, was considered sacred for centuries.They were worshipped to be blessed with a child, to attain success and for long life of cattle, said experts. With a single pathway , a labyrinth leads to a goal.The challenge is to follow the right path to reach the goal.

The bigger labyrinths found in India have seven complicated routes inside them. Since the pattern is complicated, one has to follow the right method to cover all the seven routes to fulfil one's wishes.

The two labyrinths were under worship until sometime ago. But today both are neglected and no one performs puja or attempts to walk through its pathways. “This labyrinth tells us that the human mind is the biggest maze and getting out of the riddle through the various paths of the maze is the goal of life. But unfortunately , no one follows it today ,“ said Kaliyappan Srinivasan, a member in the team that discovered the twin-labyrinth.

Since it is the first time two labyrinths have been found close to each other in India, experts believe both need to be studied in detail to know the cultural significance associated with them. R Poongundran, former assistant director of state archaeology department, said the discovery was a milestone in the history of Salem district.“Two labyrinths close to each other is rare. And we have to study the size and pattern of each one to know more about them. If we study both in detail, we will know more about their exact period and importance,“ said Poongundran. In Tamil Nadu, two big labyrinths were discovered in 2014 and 2015. A 2,500-year-old labyrinth was discovered in 2014 in Kambainallur village in Dharmapuri district. Archaeologists said it was one of the largest discovered in the world. A year later, a 2,000-year-old square labyrinth was found in Gedimedu village, 16km from Pollachi, by a team of researchers from the Verarajendran Archaeological and Historical Research Centre, Tirupur.

The finding attains significance as the site lies on an ancient trade route that runs from Palakkad Gap to Alagankulam on the east coast via Pollachi, Udumalai, Dindigul, Madurai and Thiruthangal.