Padithurais on river banks, once an integral part of the spiritual heritage of the people of Tamil Nadu where they converge on various festivals, are left neglected and vanishing with time. The ‘ padithurai mandapas’ on the south bank of Cauvery River near Oyyamari are one of those that have been ignored for years by the authorities. The structure built during the Nayak period is in ruins and has not been maintained by HR and CE and the archaeology department.These mandapas were used to conduct ‘thirthavari’ festivals in the earlier days. The monument with two-rectangular structure has steps constructed in between them to reach the river. One among the two structures is reduced to rubbles whereas the other may collapse anytime. It has become a joint for boozers and local people wash clothes there. Sewage is also let into the river by people living in the nearby areas.Most of the padithurais along river banks are maintained by Public Works Department (PWD). But in some places, it is done by the temple management or the civic body. "But this structures should ideally fall under the archaeology department," says curator of Trichy Government Museum A Periyasamy. "This structure remains abandoned by the authorities for not serving any purpose," said an official from PWD. Since the crowds throng the Amma mandapam and Chinthamani padithurai, Oyyamari serves no purpose and left ignored.Classical Tamil scholar G Deivanayagam said if these structures were in western countries, it would have been converted into living monuments. Such structures are architectural marvels which cannot be retrieved once lost, he said. "We are blessed with so many such structures that they are not rare in the region. They all are in dilapidated condition as they have no purpose. But they are indeed monuments which should be preserved," said R Kalaikkovan, director, Dr M Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research. It is the civic body that can take some steps to save these monuments since it has been working on promoting tourism under the smart city project," he said.

Stay updated with all the Latest Trichy headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.