Near the coastline of Tuticorin, a 10th-century shrine belonging to the Later-Pandya era has been unearthed, specifically dedicated to a maritime localized deity known as the 'Goddess of the Tides.' The shrine is built almost entirely of compacted coral-stone and features unique maritime iconography, including reliefs of waves, conch shells, and pearl-diving baskets.
Historians believe this temple was used by the Paravar pearl-trading community to seek divine protection before sea voyages. The discovery is significant as it provides the first physical evidence of coral-based structural architecture in mainland Tamil Nadu during the medieval period, showcasing an adaptive use of local marine materials for sacred construction.