The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken up reconstructing the compound of the ancient fort at Tirumayam on the Pudukottai – Sivaganga National Highway.

The compound was destroyed during the course of a battle centuries ago and the ASI has initiated steps for restoring it. The work, which commenced in December, aims at construction of the compound to a length of 100 metres and for a height of 10 metres.

“We have brought the boulders needed for the compound from the adjoining hilly area. We ensure that the original methodology with regard to materials is adopted, so that the grandeur is retained,” a source told ‘The Hindu’ here on Monday.

This was the fourth phase of renovation. Earlier, the damaged parts of the fort were re-built. The fort has two major temples dedicated to Sri Sathyamurthy- Sri Uyyavanda Nachiar (Vaishnavite) and Sri Sathyagireeswarar-Sri Venuvaneeswari (Saivite). In the earlier phases, the three-tier merlon — at the top, middle and base of the fort — were renovated. Clearing of vegetation with stronger roots such as banyan using a tree-killer, a non-chemical substance, was a major achievement.

This was followed by the strengthening work, involving a series of reinforcing processes — crouting, pointing and brickwork and plastering.

Details were worked out for the renovation of the merlons. They were strengthened using lime, terminlia chevula (‘kadukkai’) and palm sugar (‘panai vellam’). To protect the ‘pushkarani’ at the fort, the ASI has set up a chain-link, which would prevent straying of cattle.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by M. Balaganessin / Pudukottai – February 09th, 2016