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AROUND SIRKALI - POOMPUHAR
Lying at about 15 km off the temple of Srikali, this once world famous
sea port is occupying a conspicuous place in the history of India. And literature too. Known to
foreigners like Ptolemy and Pliny as Puhar, this harbour city is situated at' the confluence of river Cauvery
with the Bay of Bengal. It was the Principal port of the imperial Cholas and the seat of the
immortal characters - Kannaki and Kovalan whose exemplary life portrayed masterly by Ilango in
Silappadhikaram, is passing for a master piece of all times. But that city was submerged long ago.
In 1973, its ancient glory was
revived by Tamil
Nadu Government by constructing a fittingly superb Art Gallary that depicts the major
scenes of the Silappadhikaram. Other monuments raised then - Pavai Manram, Ilango
Manram, Negungal
Manram, Kotha Pandal are equally grand and luring the tourists and pilgrims alike.
For the students of history and scholars who desire to wander amidst the excavations, it afford; a
rich experience for strolling through time. On the way the visitors halt at
Tiruvalnadu famous Saivakshetra dedicated to Agoramurthi. These two have eternal attraction to
asthikas and Paryatakas.
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