Nearly 500 nature lovers and history enthusiasts converged at Samanar hillock on the way to Keelakuyilkudi on Sunday despite the rain for ‘Rock Fest,’ organised by the Green Walk team to mark their 40th exercise.
Retired archaeologist C. Santhalingam explained the historical significance of Jain remnants at Chettipudavu. He said it was important to spread the historical and traditional accounts of Madurai to every person. “It will not be possible to excavate places within the city to trace remnants of forts and other prominent sites. Therefore, we should conserve the sites around the city,” he said.
According to him, places such as Kazhugu Malai, an 8th century hillock, and Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple that eulogise the history of the ancient city, should be protected.
Writer N. Murugesa Pandian said it was necessary to protect Tamil traditions, culture and language. “Such gatherings and explorations are important to study the richness of our past,” he said.
Environmental thinker Theodore Baskaran explained how Jain inscriptions had engravings on the lives of the common men. “Until World War II, a lot of interest was shown in studying inscriptions that contained details of former kings in order to trace history. When people wanted to know about the common man, Jain inscriptions and ‘Nadukal’ were studied,” he said.
Mr. Baskaran said such gatherings gave people an insight into happenings in the outside world. “These activities create sensitivity in people, particularly among students,” he added.
A. Muthukrishnan, founder of Madurai Green, noted that people in villages showed more concern in protecting natural resources and historical sites.
Geologist Christopher Jeyakaran released ‘History of Madura-Voyage into Jaina Antiquity,” an English translation of a book titled ‘Madura Varalaaru.’
The third edition of ‘Madura Varalaaru’ was also released. Various activities were organised for children.
