In search imprints of Buddhism : Notes of field work

Since 1993 I have been on field work in search of Buddha statues. On some occasions I saw the Buddhas which were notified by other scholars. I  also had a chance of finding new Buddhas. The experiences were many.

Though I registered for M.Phil., in Madurai Kamaraj University, in October 1993, it took some time for me to take notes and get information during the field work. After realising the importance of the sources I started recording them, and am continuing till date. I feel happy to share with you, from my notes, a brief account on my field work which I carried on a particular day. 

   

20.1.1999 Field work

Sannapuram, Putthakaram, and Seeyatthamangai 

Sannapuram

On the bus to Nagapattinam through Nacchiyarkovil-Nannilam route. This place is called as Sannanallur and Sannavur. There was no place in the name of Sannapuram near here or around Nannilam.

Putthakaram

On the above route in Nannilam-Sannanallur, Putthakaram is found. This Putthakaram is known as Enangudi Putthakaram. No Buddha statues were found there. No such remnants were also available there. I met Mr Rajendran (Village Administrative Officer, Athalaiyur, Nagapattinam district). He told that he somewhere a Buddha statue. He also informed that he would inform Mr Pakkirisamy (Village Administrative Officer, 73 Putthakaram, Nagapattinam district) about it. I had no chance of meeting Mr Pakkirisamy. 

Tiruchatthamangai (Seeyatthamangai)

After covering N.Kovil-Nannilam and Sannanallur, I went to Tirumarugal. Next to that place was found Seeyatthamangai. No Buddha statues or remnants of Buddhism were found in this area. A person from this place had these to say:

a) There was a Buddha in Vichur. To go there you should go through Seeyatthamangai-Tirumarugal by walk and go to Vichur through Adhinakkudi and Ganapathipuram by bicycle. 
 

b) There is a place known as Puthakalur near Vazhkkai. From there that place could be reached by bicycle.

With the help of Mr A.Jayaraman (Kolmedu Ambal PO) I reached the spot and got a surprise. I found the Buddha which I photographed during my earlier trip on 16.1.1999 was found there. Later I returned to Tirumarugal through Kidamangalam and Polakam. I covered a distance of 16 km. This is the very first time I covered such a distance by walk and by bicycle. I went to Tirumarugal to inform the photo studio, to send me the photograph of the Buddha. (SP Saravanan, SPS Colour Photo Studio, Tirumarugal) 

Expenses

Kumbakonam-Nannilam busfare - Rs.3.25

Nannilam-Putthakaram                   - Rs.1.75

Puthakaram-Seeyatthamangai     - Rs.3.00

Seeyatthamangai-Tirumarugal      - by walk

Tirumarugal-Nannilam                     - Rs.3.00

Nannilam-Kumbakonam                 - Rs.5.25

During earlier stages I went on field to many places in the Chola country - to see the Buddha statues which were found there earlier and to spot new Buddhas, Buddhist centres and related places - based on the places cited by Mayilai Seeni Venkatasamy in his book Bouthamum Tamizhum.  During this field work I spotted the same Buddha which I found two days earlier (ie on 16..1.1999). The first trip was carried out through Kottappadi and Tirumiyachur. Now the Buddha was seen by going through alternative route. Not knowing the Buddha was one and the same, due to non clarity in the route I had to see the same Buddha twice within three days. 

Updated on 15 March 2025.