World Heritage Day was observed by students of Department of History and Tourism of Sri Kumara Gurupara Swamigal Arts College in Srivaikuntam at Korkai, which was earlier known as the principal centre of trade and the important port of the Pandya Kingdom.
The students took a ‘Heritage Walk’ from the Car Street of Sri Kallapiranswamy Temple in Srivaikuntam to the ancient commercial city of Korkai. The walk was flagged off by S. Sankaranarayanan, Principal of the college.
A local authority Arumugam and Korkai panchayat president V. Sahadevan explained about the historical significance of Korkai to the students.
Students interacted with the local residents to get first hand information on Akkasalai – the mint street of business holders, urns, the oldest Vanni tree, pearl fishery trade, international trade relationship between the Pandya kings in India and merchants in Rome.
Students also learned in detail about the ancient literary works Silapathikaram, Manimekalai, Purananuru, and the passing references from foreign travellers like Pliny, Periplus and Marcopolo.
A unique feature of Korkai was its quality pearl fishery, which attracted the Roman royalty, particularly, the celebrated queen Cleopatra, S.Bose, Head and Associate Professor, Department of History and Tourism, who organised the programme, said.