Thiruvananthapuram: A very ancient Vishnu Temple believed to have been built during the reign of Ay dynasty in Kerala, collapsed here on Tuesday, a source said.
The Temple situated near Vizhinjam Coastal Police Station, near Kovalam, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, was managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board. According to the reports, the temple was under low maintenance which lead to its collapse.
"The Vishnu temple thought to have been built during 10th century AD has been in a dilapidated state without any attention from the authorities for many years now," a local said.
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According to recorded history, Ay dynasty is said to have ruled from the first phase of Sangam period through 10th century AD. The headquarters of the dynasty was shifted from Aykkudi in Podhigai hills of Tamilnadu to Vizhinjam, in present-day Kerala.
During this period, Karunandadakkan is said to have reigned the kingdom with his capital at Vizhinjam. The historical temple believed to have been built during this period collapsed owing to the neglect and carelessness from the Board authorities.
Sources say, for years together, the temple and the premises remain covered in thick wild growth and bushes. "The board did not act even when a banyan tree grew above the temple which was built using mud and granite slabs. The temple road and the land nearby has been encroached," a source said.
Owing to sheer neglect and poor maintenance, the remains of Ay dynasty which stood strong against the mightier Chola Chera and Pandya dynasties for a very long time has now become mere piles of rubbles.
