Chennai: Tamil Nadu school students may soon get to visit the state’s most important archaeological sites as part of their history lessons. The Tourism Department is finalising a heritage tourism circuit, expected to be launched by the end of July, that will connect Keezhadi, Adichanallur, Korkai, Gudiyam Caves, prominent Pallava-era monuments and other heritage sites across the state. Designed initially for schoolchildren, the programme will offer curated tours that introduce students to different phases of Tamil Nadu’s ancient past.“We are collecting a list of sites and planning a schedule. We working on one-day and two-day packages covering archaeological sites, museums and heritage monuments. The tours will include transport, guides, meals and accommodation, making it easier for schools across the state to participate,” said a senior TTDC official.Officials said the circuit has been conceived as an extension of classroom learning, allowing students to visit excavation sites and museums that have featured prominently in recent archaeological research.Keezhadi, where excavations revealed evidence of an urban settlement dating back more than 2,500 years, and Adichanallur, known for its rich burial sites and artefacts, are expected to be among the main stops.The southern route is likely to include Korkai site and the Porunai Museum in Tirunelveli, which houses artefacts recovered from excavations across the Thamirabarani basin, including Adichanallur and Korkai.The department plans to roll out the circuit for school students first before opening it to other visitors. Officials expect the programme to draw more footfalls to museums and archaeological sites that have gained public attention following recent discoveries.School Education Director S Kannapan welcomed the initiative, saying it would broaden students’ exposure to Tamil Nadu’s rich heritage. “Education department officials already take students to historical and heritage sites in their respective districts. For instance, children in Villupuram are regularly taken to the National Fossil Wood Park at Thiruvakkarai. Similar visits are organised to other heritage sites as well,” he said.“However, if the TTDC takes up such programmes, students will get an opportunity to visit important sites in other districts too. This will help them gain a deeper understanding of Tamil culture and history. It may even inspire some of them to pursue archaeology as a career,” Kannapan added.
