Lists of Buddhist sites and traditions in Kerala

This is a list of Buddhist sites, relics, and traditions in the Indian state of Kerala. Some historians states that Kerala had considerable Buddhist presence until the 16th century. Over the years, their population has drastically declined. According to the 1981 census, there were 223 Buddhists compared to 605 in 1971 census.[1]

List of statues discovered

Karumadikuttan Buddha statue and stupa
Broken Karumadikuttan Buddha statue
Buddha statue at Mavelikkara
Buddha statue at Bharanikkavu
Buddha statue at Krishnapuram Palace, Kayamkulam

In 2015, G. Prem Kumar, director of Kerala State Department of Archaeology, five Buddhist statues has been discovered in Kerala. The Karumadikkuttan is a half-broken black Buddha statue at Karumady in Alappuzha district, dating to 10th century when Buddhism flourished in Kerala. The pagoda housing the statue is believed to have been built by Dalai Lama during his visit to the state. There are multiple legends as to how the statue was broken, in one, the Kaumadikkuttan survived a mass destruction of Buddhist statues by Mughals, another version says a charging elephant destroyed it.[2]

  • Buddha statue near Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Buddha Junction, Mavelikkara. It was accidentally excavated during the early 20th century, from a paddy field near the Kandiyoor temple.[3]
  • Buddha statue at Bharanikkavu, found near the Bharanikkavu Devi temple located 8 km north-west of Mavelikkara. The statue is placed in a seated position and was elegantly carved.[citation needed]
  • Buddha statue at Pallikkal, about 11 km from Adoor was found headless.[citation needed]
  • Buddha statue at Karunagapally, found in a temple tank, this statue is probably the best found till date. Unaware local people used this even to clean their clothes (like an ordinary stone) until 1980, when the Kerala State department of Archaeology acquired it. This statue is currently preserved at Krishnapuram Palace Museum, Kayamkulam.[4]

List of temples discovered

  • Sri Mulavasam, a Buddhist temple and place of pilgrimage in Kerala (either around the Thrikkunnapuzha-Ambalapuzha region or in North Malabar).

List of Inscriptions, Copper Plates and Artifacts with Buddhist heritage

The Paliyam copper plates (or Sreemoolavasam Cheppedukal from Sri Mulavasam) of the Ay King, Vikramaditya Varagunan (885–925 AD) in the fifteenth year of his rule, indicates that Buddhists enjoyed royal patronage and privileges until the 10th century CE, at least in South Kerala.[5][6]

Quote: "The plates were discovered by T. A. Gopinatha Rao. According to Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, the plates date back to AD 929 (Makaram 7, Kollavarsham 104). But more credibility is to the finding of M. G. S. Narayanan that these date back to AD 898. According to the inscription, a huge number of land holdings were donated to the Sri Mulavasam. The upkeep of the lands are believed to have been vested with Prince Indukotha, an heir to the throne, during the reign of Veerakotha Kulasekhara. A mangalacharana praising Buddha, dharma, and sangha is inscribed in the plates. They also mention about Paranthaka Chola's attack on Kerala."[6]

Paliyam copper plate (Vikramaditya Varaguna)

List of places (villages and towns) with ancient Buddhist presence

Modern Buddhist sites

See also

References

  1. ^ Nair, R. Madhavan; Nair, R. Madhavan (2012-02-05). "Rise and fall of Buddhism in Kerala". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2017-12-21.
  2. ^ a b Wipulasena, Aanya (18 January 2015). "Mystery of half-broken granite statue of Lord Buddha in Kerala". www.sundaytimes.lk. The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. ^ Harikumar, A (4 April 2005). "Studies on Buddha idols incomprehensive". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 December 2017.[dead link‍]
  4. ^ Sadasivan, S. N. (2000). A Social History of India. APH Publishing. ISBN 9788176481700.
  5. ^ "Paliyam Copper Plates". keralaculture.org. Archived from the original on 2017-06-07.
  6. ^ a b Gopinatha Rao T A (1911). Travancore Archaeological Series Vol 7–16: Two Inscriptions of Vikramaditya Varaguna.
  7. ^ Shaji, K. a (2014-12-29). "A people's temple for the Buddha". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2017-12-21.
  8. ^ Abraham, Jomon. "Kerala's first Buddhist temple to open in Kottayam". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  9. ^ Staff Reporter (2017-05-11). "A peep into Kozhikode's tryst with Buddhism". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  10. ^ Alexander, P. C. (1947). "Palli Bana Perumal". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 10: 159–163. JSTOR 44137120.