The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Chennai Circle, has set up a medicinal plant garden at Sri Venkatesaperumal temple in Tirumukkudal near Kancheepuram, to commemorate 150 years of ASI.
Saplings of 20 medicinal plants were planted in the garden which was inaugurated by the Superintending Archaeologist, Chennai Circle, Sathyabhama Badrinath recently.
These saplings were brought from Thandarai and Narasipattinam reserve forest area located near Chengalpattu, an official said. An epigraph found on the eastern wall of this temple indicates that a Vedic college with a hostel for students functioned within the temple precincts, which dates back to 1062-1070 A.D, an official said.
Moreover, a hospital with 15 beds and sufficient staff to provide health services to students, and employees of the college and temple, functioned there.
The inscription, stamped on the temple wall, indicates that 14 different types of medicines were used by the physician to treat the patients. It also mentioned the names of the medicines, an official said.
