In search of imprints of Buddha: Buddhamangalam

January 1995

While discussing on my subject historian Mr Kudavayil Balasubramanian advised me to go to the places which were connected with Buddhism. This became part of my field work resulting in searching of the names connected with Buddha or Buddhism.

January 1999

As I had to submit my Ph.D., thesis before December 1999, the number of my field trips increased. In the meantime I collected the news items which appeared in newspapers and other works. Surprisingly, I came across a news item in a newspaper (Dinamalar, Tamil daily, 1.1.1999) in which it was reported that there was a Buddha. It read thus: "A Buddha statue was found at Buddhamangalam in Akarakadambanur panchayat union of Kilvelur taluk in Nagapattinam district. Some years back the head portion and the body portion were found without any body's care. Some villagers took interest to retrieve them. With the help of Thailand Buddhists they set up a peetam and put the statue on it. They could not able to connect the head portion."

During field work I came to know that there were head of Buddha statues in Ayyampet and Muzhaiyur. But this is the very first time I came to know of joining the head portion with the body portion of the statue. I waited to see the Buddha.

December 1999

The D-Day has come. On that day I went to Tiruvarur and from there reached Kil Velur. After getting from the bus I enquired about the Buddha. While one said that whether I was enquiring about the temple to which the Thailand Buddhists used to come. Other person asked me whether I came to see the Buddha which would bring the rain. I came to know that the temple was situated at a distance of 2 km. I went there and saw the mandapa like structure.


Buddha Temple

In the mandapa, which was called as Buddha temple by the people, I saw a Buddha in sitting dhyana posture. I came to know that in order to get rain chilllies would be rubbed on the statue. Then it would be garlanded with yercum flower. If this was done, it would be raining. They said after the temple was built they did not continue the practice. I also came to know stories connected with rain in Tirunattiyatthankudi, Vikramangalam and Kiranthi. I learnt that during summer Buddhists from Thailand would come over there. After having tonsuring ceremony they would offer sweets to children. I also heard such type of stories at Pushpavanam in Vedaranyam. People connect many faiths and beliefs with the worship of Buddha.

I saw three places in the name of Buddhamangalam in this area. This Only in this Buddhamangalam Buddha statue is found. On the peeta of the statue 'Buddham Saranam Kacchami, Sangam Saranam Kacchami, Dharmam Saranam Kacchami' has been written.

Buddhamangalam Buddha

July 2004
I came to know from newspaper (Dinamani, Tamil daily, 14.7.2004) that attempts were made by the students from Thailand to lay bricks on the roof of the mandapa.

During my field study I saw three places in the name of Buddhamangalam which were found respectively at Killiyur in Kumbakonam-Karaikkal road, at the Kumbakonam-Sirkazhi road and near Kil Velur. Of these I saw Buddha only in Kilvelur. In no other place which was connected with the name of Buddha, the statue of Buddha was found. By this way Buddhamangalam was different, I felt.

September 2021
After 1999, I went there to see the Buddha. I reached Kilvelur from Thanjavur through Tiruvarur. From theradi I walked on the nearby road and reached Buddhamangalam, at a distance of 2 km. During my earlier trip the road was muddy due to heavy rain and I found it difficult to walk at that time. Now also I had same type of experience. After walking nearly 1 km due to the laying road, the route was difficult to walk. When enquired about the Buddha. the locals asked. "Do you enquire about the Buddha temple where foreigners used to come?" Somebody advised me about the dog menace and go safely there.

During my school days I was much affected by dog bite. So dogs are allergic to me. At that time when I was affected by dog bite, my grandmother used to go and watch the dog daily to ensure that it did not die. She used to tell that in case of unwell of the dog it would in turn affect my health. Now, I walked carefully watching in and around me on my way. At last I reached the temple.

Now the temple is not maintained properly. I found it difficult to find the entrance and enter into the temple. Then after much efforts I went into the temple and saw the Buddha. He is found in dhyana, as usual. After seeing the Buddha I felt satisfied. Of all the Buddha statues of the Cholanadu only this Buddha's face is not clear. Then I started cleaning the statue and nearby places. When I demanded for water to clean it somebody nearby helped me with plastic bucket and cup. After completely cleaning the image I photographed it.

It is in seated dhyana pose, a high platform. It has curly hair surmounted by flame-like ushnisha on the top of the head, wide chest, broad shoulders, upper garment, tilak mark on forehead, and dharmacakra mark above the left palm.,

I left after thanking the locals who helped me to clean the statue, wishing that the temple should be maintained properly, as found earlier.

2023

This Buddha image is documented in the Tamil and English editions of my book (Chola Nattil Bautham, Pudhu Ezuthu, 2022, p.105), (Buddhism in Chola Nadu, Pudhu Ezuthu, 2023, p.60).