Lok Sabha Question No. 1334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-10
Subject: Promotion of Heritage Tourism in Viluppuram
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.: 1334 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2020

## PROMOTION OF HERITAGE TOURISM IN VILUPPURAM

- 1334 SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Viluppuram district is rich with a number of heritage sites with 13 ancient sites which are being managed by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is encouraging heritage tourism to popularize the importance of such sites and also to provide employment to the local people;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to prepare a roadmap to encourage Heritage tourism in Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM (PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a) & (b) There are 20 monuments/ sites declared as of national importance in Viluppuram district. A copy of list is given at Annexure
- (c) Visitor amenities like drinking water, toilets, signages, cultural notice boards,  sitting  benches,  ramps,  etc.  are  provided  at  monuments  to enhance visitors experience at the site.
- (d) At present there is no such proposal with Archaeological Survey of India.
- (e) Question does not arise.

## ANNEXURE

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  and  (b)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1334 FOR 10.02.2020

## LIST OF MONUMENTS/ SITES DECLARED AS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE IN VILUPPURAM DISTRICT

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Monument/ Site                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Locality              |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
|         1 | Rock cut Pallava Temple                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Dalavanur             |
|         2 | Fortress comprising hill and fort on the Rajagiri, the inner and the Lower fort and the lines of fortifications connecting the Rajagiri, Krishnagiri and Chakkilidurg (Orme's St. George's mountain) hill                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Gingee                |
|         3 | In the minor and lower fort (a) (i) Inner fort, Venugopala temple called 'Bajanai Kudam' with large polished slap and five carved figures in three panels, a granary, a gymnasium, Kalyana Mahal (ii) Stables and barracks, the remains of Mahabut Khan's mosque (iii) Annaikulam tank (b) Lower fort, Chakkarikulam and Chettikulam ponds, a dies with two idols representing Kamalakanni Ammal and with two symbols of serpent god, the masonry platform of Desings funeral pyre and his girl wife's sati, idol of Hanuman | Gingee                |
|         4 | Old Jail near Pondicherry gate and two Persian inscriptions on the outer face of the last two bastions in the South of the eastern wall of the inner fort                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Gingee                |
|         5 | Saad-at-alla Khan's mosque with Persian inscriptions, on Pondicherry gate (A.D. 1713)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Gingee                |
|         6 | On the Rajagiri - Two granaries, a magazine, flagstaff, Ranganatha, temple, Kamalakanniamman temple and the sacrificial slab in front of it, a big cannon, a treasury and the audiance hall on the Rajagiri                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Gingee                |
|         7 | Two granaries, well for storing ghee,, well for storing oil, two temples and an audience chamber on the Krishnagiri                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Gingee                |
|         8 | Venkataramana Temple with inscriptions in Tamil, Prisoner's well                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Gingee                |
|         9 | Pallava Rock-cut shrine                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Kilmavilangai         |
|        10 | Rock cut Pallava Temple                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Mandagapattu          |
|        11 | Outside the fort;- (1) Pattabirama Temple (2) Twelve-pillared Mandapa                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Narasingarayan pettai |
|        12 | Twenty four Jain figures in two rows, a standing nude figure, two fragments of a sitting figure and two inscriptions on Tirunathankannu                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Sirukadambur          |

|   13 | Vinnamparai rock containing Pallava inscriptions                                                                                                  | Thondur      |
|------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
|   14 | Talagiriswara Temple and a Cave containing an image of Durga and Pallava inscriptions together with adjacent-land comprised in Survey plot No.396 | Panamalai    |
|   15 | Sri Azhagiya Narasimma 242.Perumal Temple                                                                                                         | Ennayiram    |
|   16 | Sri Pataleswara Temple                                                                                                                            | Brahmadesam  |
|   17 | Sri Brahmapuriswara Temple                                                                                                                        | Brahmadesam  |
|   18 | Megalithic cairns with stone circles                                                                                                              | Sengamedu    |
|   19 | Megalithic stone circles                                                                                                                          | Tiruvakkarai |
|   20 | Urn burial site                                                                                                                                   | Kadagampattu |