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Where is Korkai?
Why is Korkai famous?
- Korkai, the ancient historical village abound to Eral taluk (formerly Srivaikuntam) in Thoothukudi, is located three-kilometers north of river Thamirabarani and less than 8 kilometers from the shore of Bay of Bengal.
- Korkai was popularly known for its PEARL FISHERY and has a long history to cherish finding its name in many ancient scriptures.
- Tamil sangam literature like Akananuru, Kalithogai speak of famous pearl city Korkai. It is also noted as “Colchis” Greco Roman work “Periplus of the Erythrean Sea” which is a maritime traders’ guide belong to the mid-first century. Ptolemy refers it as “Kolkhoi” who visited the southern peninsula in the second century.
The Legend of Korkai
- Ancient history refers to korkai as the birthplace of Mighty Pandya dynasty. Some say that three brothers Cheran, Cholan and Pandiyan ruled at Korkai together. Pandiyan remained at home and the other two to set up their own kingdoms.
- In the Sangam poetic work, Maduraikkanchi by Mankudi marutannar ,it says, king Nedunchezhiyan was the lord of korkai.
- The early Cholas, Cheras, and pandyas were displaced and pushed to obscurity by 3rd century but again Rose to prominence in 6th century, however, now the Pandyans shifted the capital city from korkai to Madurai
Discovery of Korkai
- There were many literary references to Korkai but its excavation did not occur till 1968.
- Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology had surveyed the region back in 1968 under the behest of Director R Nagaswamy and it is said to be the first survey by the state in Tamil Nadu.
- The excavation conducted by Nagaswamy unearthed a structure with 9 courses of bricks in six rows at the depth of two-and-a-half feet from surface level and three large sized rings placed one over the other, below the brick course.
- There were also potsherds bearing Tamil Brahmi letters belonging to 300 BC to 200 CE and charcoal samples collected from the site were assigned to 785 BC by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
Discovery of Korkai
- The most interesting find was in 2005 when excavators discovered the megalith burial urns from Adichallanur where 169 urns were excavated which contained human skeletons dating back 3800 old. Korkai lies just 20 km East of Adichanallur.
Discovery of Korkai
- It is pertinent to note that Korkai has a 2000-year-old “Vanni tree” still standing green and it has become a tourist site.
- The centuries old Vetrivel Chezhiya Nangai Amman temple on the Korkaikulam tank is remembered as an old port.
- An ancient stone temple Akasalai Eswaramudaiyar temple having stone inscriptions and the adjacent Akasala street has its reference to the Silapathikaram.
New Excavations
New Excavations
New Excavations
- Tamil Nadu state archaeology department has commenced excavation work at three places in the state.
- In the Korkai region, excavation trenches have been dug at Korkai, Sivagalai and Adichanallur.
- The state government has sanctioned ₹29 lakh for the project.
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