In search of imprints of Jainism : Kavinadu

30 September 2013

Dr A.Chandrabose (Assistant Professor, PG & Research Department of History, H.H.The Rajah's College, Pudukottai) who informed me about the presence of a Buddha statue in  Sundarapandianpattinam during September 1999, contacted me over phone to inform that he came to know about a Buddha statue in Pudukottai. He asked me if I saw any Buddha statue in that area saying that there were many Jain statues. I told him that I am unaware of the presence of any Buddha and expressed my wish to go over there. 

1 October 2013

From press reports, quoting Dr Chandrabose, I came to know that there was a Buddha, measuring 3.5' height and 3' breadth, in Kavinadu tank near Kattiyavayal at Pudukottai-Kudumiyanmalai road in Pudukottai of Tamil Nadu. I congratulated him over phone for his new findings and enquired him about the statue. From the cursory look of the photograph which accompanied the press clipping I felt that it might have been a Jain Tirthankara and told him that I wanted to visit the spot, which he readily accepted.   

6 October 2013

I waited for the Sunday and went to Pudukottai through bus. From there I reached the destination, the Kavinadu tank. After walking a distance of 2 kms I spotted the statue. The place was very beautiful to look. I came to know that this was the biggest tank in Tamil Nadu. Coiled hair could be seen in both Buddha and Jain statues. But the flame over the head, tilak mark on the forehead and dharmachakra on the palm were found missing in the statue. Having realised that it was a Jain, I left the place so as to come over there another time. . 

12 October 2013

I waited for the next holiday, the subsequent Saturday. Once again I started to Pudukottai. Before leaving Thanjavur, I informed Dr Chandrabose about my plan. He heartfully informed that he would accompany me. After reaching Pudukottai, I met him and we had a discussion about the statue. Later I accompanied him to Kavinadu on his bike. 

Kavinadu Jain (Rear view) 

After reaching the place we were shocked since the statue was found without head. A woman who was standing there said that someone who were playing there threw the head in the tank. We saw the statue clearly. Though a line was found representing the presence of dress in the photograph, no dress was found over the body. 

From the rear view of the statue we found the statue was without dress. Mayilai Seen Venkatasamy in his work Bouthamum Tamilum [Buddhism and Tamils, 1940) says that Buddha statues were found in Alangudipatti, Chettipatti and Vellanur (all in Pudukottai district). During field work I saw a Jain Tirthankara in Alangudipatti. The statues found in Chettipatti and Vellanur might have been Jain Tirthankaras. The presence of this statue in Kavinadu vouchsafes the fact that Pudukottai was a Jain centre. 

Since entering into this field, from 1993, when I went in search of Buddha statues I came across many Jain statues. This Jain Tirthankara, Mahavira, is the 12th Jain statue found during my field study. My search towards Buddha statues leave me to find Jain statues for which the field study was helpful. Really a rare experience.   

 1 October 2017 

Through the FB page of Mr Kasthuri Rangan, I came to know that the head portion of the statue was handed over to the Pudukottai Museum authorities. I contacted him over phone and thanked him and Heritage Walk team. 

To my surprise I saw a newsitem, in October 2017, mentioning that as if the statue was found anew. I also saw the relevant news clippings in the pages of Facebook. There is no reference in it about the finding of the statue earlier. Even no quote is found.   

தி இந்து, 1 அக்டோபர் 2017

புதிய தலைமுறை, 1 அக்டோபர் 2017

தினமணி, 2 அக்டோபர் 2017

தினகரன், 1 அக்டோபர் 2017

 Indian Express

I clarified the team that the statue was found in 2013. Though the news of finding of the statue once again, I felt happy the attempts made by them to save it. 

Since 1993, during field study, I have found 16 Buddha and 13 Jain statues.  Of them only some are found in safer places and some shifted to museums. I felt happy for handing over the head portion of the statue to the museum. They informed me that they are taking efforts to hand over the remaining portion of the statue.  Their involvement in the history and the their efforts to bring the news to the common people is to be lauded. As a researcher I wholeheartedly thanked them for their attempt. I hope that like the head, the remaining part will be handed over to the museum.

The South Indian Archaeological Research Society recorded in their blog about this statue and its finding in 2013.

14 October  2024

In the newsitem appeared in Dinamani (Tamil daily) it was stated that a Jain Tirtankara statue is found in Kavinadu canal. (This is the same stautue found and reported in 2013).

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Thanks: Dr A.Chandrabose,  Heritage walk team, South India Archaeological Research Society, and Dailies

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Updated on 10.1.2026