2300-Year-Old Rock Paintings in Tamil Nadu: Protected Monument Lacks Basic Security

Ancient rock paintings believed to be more than 2,300 years old at Kumittipathi village near the Kerala border in Coimbatore district remain without basic protection, despite the Tamil Nadu govt declaring it a protected monument last year.

For the past 15 years, local history enthusiasts have been urging authorities to protect the site. “No fencing or security arrangements have been made so far,” says P Saravanakumar, a resident.


The rock art, in white pigment, is in two caves on Pathimalai hill, which falls under the Thirumalayampalayam town panchayat near Madukkarai. The lower cave features paintings of an elephant and a chariot, while the one above has images resembling humans. About 4ft wide and 2ft tall, the rock paintings, say experts, indicate that the area may have once been a natural habitat for elephants.

Epigraphist R Jegadeesan says many rock art sites in Tamil Nadu are deep inside forests. “The Kumittipathi paintings are one of the only easily accessible rock art paintings. Unfortunately, that’s why they are being defaced. The caves need to be protected.”

Last year, the state govt issued orders declaring the prehistoric rock art paintings at Kumittipathi in Madukkarai taluk as protected archaeological monuments under Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966. An official from the archaeology department in Coimbatore had said the area would be fenced and an information board on the monument’s history would be placed at the site, but nothing has been done so far.

Photographs recently surfaced showing that stones had been arranged at the site to create a meditation space. Following this, officials from Madukkarai revenue department, along with district archaeology officials, removed the stones. Despite this, some youngsters from the nearby area continue to visit the caves and damage the paintings.
“People use the site for cooking and to drink,” says writer C R Elangovan. “There is graffiti on the walls. Some parts are damaged by smoke from cooking fires. As there is no board explaining the importance of the site, people unknowingly damage these historically significant paintings.”

Archaeology department officials say the site will be fenced, a security guard will be posted, and an information board will be put up.