Evidences of presence of an ancient village were unearthed during excavation work done in the delta areas of Varadhamanadhi river and an irrigation channel, according to V. Narayanamurthy, archaeologist.
Showing the evidences including broken pieces in the temple town on Saturday, he said that his team did excavation work on south eastern side of the Varadhamanadhi and irrigation channel.
Ancient Sangam literature mentioned that this place was nothing but ‘Then Palani.' In the long run, the town vanished. Now, the area was dry and barren land covered with thorny bushes and plants.
Broken pieces of terracotta vessels, urns, vessel caps were excavated. Moreover, floral designs and symbols on the mouth of pots and broken bricks mirrored Sangam period. Residual evidences also proved that these pieces were 2,500-year-old ones.
Further research has proved that Palani village was present on the southern side of the hill temple only. Steps to the temple were also facing the south.
Thirumanjana pathai, the ancient route to Palani temple, was also present on southeast end of the hill. Till 18 century, this was the prime route to go to hill temple from Palani. Moreover, Vyapuri tank was present on north and western side of the Palani hill temple. The present town on the northern side of the hill temple was developed later, he pointed out.
Several places like Sundarapandianallur, Avanivendharamanallur and Iravimangalam which were mentioned in the inscriptions of Palani hills had already been destroyed. Similarly, ‘Then Palani' was also ruined.
Further studies showed that ‘Then Palani' was referred in ancient Tamil Literature as Podhini, he stated.
