The group sent a request to the district collector of Theni and the commissioner of the Tamil Nadu archaeology department to accord statutory protection to the site, known as Manguni Pudavu, under the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966. The ancient site is situated at Manguni Pudavu, a natural rock shelter situated roughly 50 feet high on the Nagamalai hillock within the survey fields of Pulimankombai Panchayat in Andipatti taluk. Located along the route connecting Vadaku Moonandipatti village to the Nagamalai Ayyan Temple, the site was first identified by archaeologist Yathees Kumar and documented in 2008 in Aavanam, the journal of the Tamil Nadu archaeological society. Archaeological researcher and Cheral coordinator, red ochre rock art found across Tamil Nadu is broadly estimated to be around 5,000 years old, though comprehensive scientific testing is necessary to confirm the exact age of the Moonandipatti depictions, according to C Manickaraj.
“Visitor vandalim and exposure to natural elements will result in the irreversible loss of these irreplaceable cultural records, without immediate state protection and systematic conservation measures,” said Tamil Dasan, environmentalist, researcher, convener of the Madurai nature cultural foundation (MNCF) and a member of the Cheral trust. Saving the murals Highlighting severe damage from natural weathering and human vandalism, the centre for heritage and ecological research through arts and literature (Cheral) has urged the Tamil Nadu govt to declare the prehistoric rock paintings at Moonandipatti in Theni district a protected archaeological monument. The shelter features deep red ochre lines resembling a flowing river alongside faded human figures. In addition, white ochre imagery depicts combat scenes, including warriors wielding and throwing curved weapons. These are interpreted as Valari, a traditional Tamil weapon referenced in classical Sangam literature such as ‘Kalithogai’ and ‘Purananuru’ as Thigiri, Erivaalai, and Soozhal Padai. Inscriptions also reveal that historical Chola military forces maintained a specialised division known as Erippadai.
Positioned along an ancient trade route running parallel to the Vaigai river, the Moonandipatti rock art forms a crucial historical cluster alongside megalithic burial structures and the famous 400–300BCE Pulimankombai hero stones. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chennai | Silver Rate in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Petrol Price in Chennai | Diesel Price in Chennai | CNG Price in Chennai | LPG Price in Chennai Stay updated with the latest Chennai news. Beyond combat depictions, the shelter contains imagery of deer, human forms, abstract symbols, and scenes depicting childbirth or fertility rituals. Download the TOI App.