Experts to examine rock carvings at Tali temple

Archaeology dept. team to visit temple today

Granite slabs with carvings of mythical figures unearthed from the premises of the Tali Siva temple in Kozhikode recently.– Photo: K. Ragesh

The rock carvings unearthed recently during the renovation work at the centuries old Tali Siva temple here will be examined by two senior officials of the State Archaeology Department before preparing a report assessing the archaeological significance of the rock pieces.

The Director of Archaeology G. Prem Kumar told The Hindu on Monday that the curator of the Thrissur Shakthan Thampuran Museum and the Publication Officer of the Archaeology Department would examine the carvings on Tuesday.

Earlier, the department had to intervene to stop the renovation work following allegations against the temple authorities of “callously handling” the archaeologically important rock carvings. Dr. Prem Kumar said that the district authorities did not heed to the fax message from the department, which urged them to ensure the immediate stoppage of the ongoing renovation work at the temple. The work at last was stopped after a staff member from the department reached the spot to hand over a stop memo in person, he said.

Work on replacing the old rock slabs (

Krishnashila ) fixed around the Chuttabalam of the temple was in progress for the last few days under the aegis of the Tali Devaswom.

It was during the work by some unskilled labourers that the carvings, believed to be of medieval period, were noticed.