Farmer hands over ancient palm-leaf manuscripts to Siddha research institute
A farmer donated ancient palm-leaf manuscripts containing traditional Siddha medical knowledge to the Central Council for Research in Siddha. The institute plans to preserve these documents and make the information available to researchers and the public.
Why it matters
The preservation of traditional medical knowledge is vital for historical research and the potential integration of ancient practices into modern healthcare.
A farmer from Ponnandavalasu near Kanjikovil has handed over a collection of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts containing traditional medical notes preserved by his ancestors to the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), Chennai, under the Ministry of AYUSH.
Jeganathan, a farmer, found that the manuscripts preserved at his house contained several medical references. After reading some of the notes, he realised their potential value for research and public use, and contacted the CCRS. A team led by R. Manickavasagam, Research Officer, subsequently visited Mr. Jeganathan’s house on Thursday (September 10, 2026), where he handed over the manuscripts to the team.
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