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.   

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Thanks: Dr A.Chandrabose and Dailies

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Updated on 15 March 2025.