The demand to set up district museum in Tiruvannamalai got louder with the Tiruvannamalai Heritage Foundation (THF) sending a fresh memorandum to director of museums, the district collector and the Tiruvannamalai MLA.
This demand had been made several times in the past by various organisations and individuals.
When M. Rajendran, a history aficionado, was serving as district collector here he arranged artefacts and ancient sculptures on district collectorate premises. He even prevailed upon higher officials to sanction a museum for the district. But it failed to fructify.
The The Heritage Foundation said that the district had a rich history and heritage. This region was ruled by Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagar rulers. Several sculptures, idols, hero stones, and inscriptions could be seen in different parts of the district. Whenever were “found” these archaeological assets were sent to District Museum in Vellore.
“If a museum could be set up in Tiruvannamalai, these objects could shed light on the history of the region,” says P. Raj, president of the THF.
