Restoration efforts at the Sri Valikandapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu's Perambalur district have led to the discovery of a hidden cache of 12th-century copper plates. The plates, found within a stone-lined cavity beneath the Vimana foundation, detail royal grants issued by King Kulothunga Chola III. These inscriptions provide new insights into the administrative role of the temple as a center for local judicial arbitration and famine relief during the later Chola period.
The conservation team is currently using laser-cleaning technology to remove centuries of soot and lime plaster from the temple's outer walls, revealing previously unseen granite friezes depicting naval expeditions. The project aims to stabilize the structural integrity of the main shrine while preserving the delicate floral carvings that characterize the architectural transition between the Middle and Late Chola eras.