In search of imprints of Buddhism: Manambadi

1960
Among others P.R.Srinivasan (1960) and Sivaramalingam (1997) discussed about the Buddha statue found in Manambadi. French Institute of Pondicherry has in its collection the photograph of Manambadi Buddha. ) There is reference in Tamil Nattu Varalaru: Chola Peruvendar Kaalam (1998) published by Government of Tamil Nadu. During my first field visit the statue which was found in neglected condition is now in worship. 

APRIL 1995
When I had discussion with scholars and friends many of them informed me of the Buddha found in Manambdi which was near Tiruppanandal. During my tete-a-tete with historian Mr Kumbakonam Sethuraman he talked about   the inscription found in Kumbakonam Kumbeswarar Temple which speaks about the Buddha temple in Elanthurai and hinted about Manambadi Buddha. I waited for a suitable date to see the Buddha.

OCTOBER 1998

After three years I had a chance of visiting Manambadi. My elder son Mr Bharath accompanied me.  After searching the relevant sources on Buddha temple in Elanthurai, we went to Perunjeri and then arrived Kumbakonam. Before leaving for Thanjavur while I thought of any other Buddha statues found in the area, Manambadi Buddha came to my mind. My son also wanted to see the Buddha. We reached Manambadi, by Kumabkonam-Pandanallur bus, which was near Cholapuram. I gave  my camera to him. He started photographing the Buddha. While I informed him that the Buddha photographed by him would find a place in my Ph.D., Thesis, he felt very happy. After taking notes about the Buddha we started from Manambadi.

Manambadi Buddha (1998), Photograph: J.Bharath

Of the Buddha statues found in the Chola country, this Buddha was very beautiful. Among the bushes the Buddha was found in a neglected condition. The Buddha was in sitting dhyana posture. 

MAY 2002
On Buddha Poornima (26.5.2002) the place in which the Buddha was found cleaned by the local people and special pujas were held to the Buddha. 

On Buddha Poornima, Courtesy: The Hindu, 31.5.2002 (In this newsitem the information given by me about the Buddha was found)

JANUARY 2005
At attempt to steal the statue was foiled in Keeranur in Pudukottai district and the statue was returned to Manambadi. Once again pujas were conducted to the Buddha by the local people. 

JULY 2007
Through subsequent field visits it was found that the place was properly maintained for some time. Proper fencing was done and the Buddha was found exhibited. Thus the place also got a facelift.

Manambadi Buddha, Courtesy: Dinamalar, 16.7.2007

MARCH 2010
After covering Kutthalam, Perunjeri, Pandanallur and Chickanayakkanpettai I had a chance of going to Manambadi. After getting down from the bus I was shocked. The Buddha was not found there. I started searching the Buddha in and around the area and also near the bushes. No trace of Buddha was found there. The local people who noticed me asked me about my search. I informed them about my search of Buddha and also my research on Buddha. They informed me that there were some attempts to steal the Buddha and felt sorry. They said that in order to keep the statue in good condition and shape they placed the Buddha in the Vadabadra Kaliamman temple. I felt very happy on seeing the Buddha in the temple. The statue which was in neglected condition got a suitable place, courtesy the locals. The attempts made by the locals and some private organizations to save the Buddha statue was laudable.  

8 MAY 2021

As the printing work of my book Buddhism in the Chola country was in progress, I went there. Our elder son J.Bharath accompanied me. Due to the expansion of the road, the temple could not be seen as seen earlier. The temple had the Kumbabishegam also then. Now the Buddha statue was found in the left side of the temple. After seeing the Buddha, I left the place.  

I express my thanks to Mr Martin of Star Manithaneya Sangamam, Mr Navanith Sethya of Valkkai 2000, NSS Cadets of Govt Women's College and the people of Manambadi.
Symbolic of Harmony, The Hindu, 31.5.2002 
The stolen Buddha statue near Kumbakonam was recovered, Dina Thanthi, Tamil Daily,  4.1.2005
Appeal to protect the Buddha found at Manambadi near Kumbakonam, Dinamalar, Tamil Daily, 16.7.2007

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பௌத்த சுவட்டைத் தேடி: மானம்பாடி

முதன்முதலாக மானம்பாடியில் நான் பார்த்த புத்தர் சிலை பராமரிப்பின்றி இருந்தது. தற்போது அச்சிலை அருகிலுள்ள அம்மன் கோயிலில் வைக்கப்பட்டு வழிபாடு நடத்தப்படுகிறது. களப்பணியில் தொடர்ந்து பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருக்கும் இந்த புத்தரைப் பார்த்த அனுபவம் பற்றிய தமிழ் வடிவம் இம்மாதம் 1ஆம் தேதி வெளியாகியுள்ளது. 

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Updated on 4th June 2023