The Lost Cities
India/Hindu
Tamil literature contains a flood myth which is connected with a tale of the two 'lost' cities of Tenmaturai and Kapatapuram. The earliest source for this is a work, probably not earlier than the ninth century, attributed to the unfortunate Narkiren whose blasphemy against Siva was noted earlier. The work is mainly concerned with the legend of the three literary academies, of which the third, at Maturai, is the only one likely to have existed. The durations given in Nakkirar's account for the academies are fanciful enough to give one pause: 4440 years, 3700 years and 1850 years. The first and second academies were at Tenmaturai and Kapatapuram, which are both stated to have been destroyed in sea-floods. It is possible that Tenmaturai is the same as Maturai, and that this flood myth and the story of the flood at Maturai are one and the same. As for Kapatapuram, attempts have been made recently to identify it with Tiruccentur, a temple of Skanda on the south-east coast near modern Tuticorin. But there is clearly a mythical element in these stories. The forty-nine poets of the third academy, with Siva as their principal colleague, are worshipped to this day in a special shrine in the temple at Maturai.
Legends Of The World
Edited by
Richard Cavendish
ISBN 1-56619-462-8
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 
