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An archaeologist delight, Poompuhar
is a town for those who like to wander amidst history and take a stroll
through time. Poompuhar is 24-km away from
Mayiladuthurai in Sirkali Taluka in Nagapattinam district. It was once a
major port during the reign of Cholas.
The original city was submerged by the sea and at present there is only a
small village. Explorations were carried out in Poompuhar
right from 1910, along the coast of the state and certain pockets in and
around Karur. The archaeological department has revealed the existence of
several ring-wells near the seashore.
A Well Planned City
Puhar known to "Ptolemy" and "Pliny", was a planned
city built over 2,000 years ago. Excavations show an extent of planning
that would make most modern planners envious. During the excavations
remains of the various buildings were found. A wharf belonging to the 3rd
century BC was excavated at Poompuhar in
1962-63 and a similar wharf was unearthed in the subsequent excavation
during 1997. Several kinds of brick figures and copper coins were also
found.
The structural similarities and their functional viability are studied.
The existence of such wharves corroborates the plan of ancient
Poompuhar, which is splendidly explained by
the Pattinappalai, one of the Sangam texts. The study stresses the need
for further extensive excavations along the course of the palaeochannel to
open up new vistas in the technology of marine structures of ancient
Poompuhar.
The National Institute of Oceanography,
Goa and the
Archaeological Department of Tamil Nadu Government have
undertaken offshore exploration at Poompuhar
and they have contributed a museum.
Rail: The nearest railway station is Mayiladuthurai
junction.
Road: Poompuhar is connected to
Mayiladuthurai as well as Sirkali by road. Regular bus services are
available from both these places to Poompuhar.