ASI begins DGPS survey of Tirupparankundram Hill under HC order

Madurai: Officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the revenue department on Monday began a survey of Tirupparankundram Hill following directions from the Madras high court.

The survey, being carried out using Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) technology for high-precision boundary mapping, started amid tight police security and is expected to continue for three days.

ASI engineer Umesh, Tirumangalam revenue divisional officer Sivajothi and other officials participated in the exercise, which comes amid litigation over the status of areas around the hill, including claims related to the dargah, temple and archaeological limits.

The high court had permitted the ASI to conduct the survey, demarcate protected monuments and document physical features and measurements around the hill.

In its order, the court recorded ASI’s submission that protection notifications issued in 1908 and 1923 covered the entire Tirupparankundram hillock spread across 172.70 acres under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act. The notified areas include Jain beds, caverns, rock-cut caves and inscriptions located on different parts of the hill.

The bench observed that Tirupparankundram Hill is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also referred to restrictions prohibiting construction or excavation within 100 metres of protected limits and regulating activities within the next 200 metres.

The court further cited ASI’s complaint over unauthorised painting on Jain beds behind the Sikkandar Mosque and said no construction or alteration should be undertaken on the hill without permission from archaeological authorities.