The visit to this Buddha bas-reliefs at Sri
Kachabeswarar Temple at Kanchipuram was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temples,
Sculptures like Kotravai, Jyeshta Devi at Purisai, Kilkolathur, Salukkai and
Anumanthandalam on 2nd January 2022. It was planned to meet at this
temple as a First Heritage walk of new year 2022. Thanks to தொண்டை மண்டலம் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்.
It is believed that the Buddha statues &
Buddhism sculptures unearthed in and around Kanchipuram belongs to 6th
to 7th Century, during that period Buddhism was peak in Tamil Nadu. But
as per the experts the Buddha statues unearthed at CM Subbaraya Mudaliar
School, Karukkinil Amarthal Temple, Kanchipuram Police Station, Pallur, belongs
to 9th to 11th Century. This indicates that, even-though it
is claimed that the Buddhism declined due to the raise of Bhakthi movement
through, Sundarar, Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Buddhism
was patronized by the Chozha and Pandya Kings, till 14th Century. As
per the History most of the temples were closed without poojas during Sultan’s
and Muslims Rule. After Vijayanagaras came to power the temple activities were revived
once again, with the construction of Mandapams joining the existing sanctum sanctorum, some of the temple
are rebuilt completely, construction of Raya Gopurams / Raja Gopurams. As per
the experts the Buddhism related bas-reliefs found in the Temples Mandapam
pillars and Rajagopuram are due to the freedom given to the sculptors and not
that they were brought from the dilapidated or destroying the Buddhist temples.
In the above context, some bas-reliefs are found in
Sri Kachabeswarar Temple Mukha mandapam pillars and Rajagopuram prastram Nasi
kudus. In the bas-reliefs, Buddha is shown in meditation posture, except one.
In that Buddha is shown in Bhoomi sparsa hastam.
Rajagopuram front side on the left
On Mandapa Pillar
On Mandapam Pillar
On Mandapam Pillar
Kachabeswarar Shiva Temple
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
On Mandapa Pillar
On Mandapam Pillar
On Mandapam Pillar
Kachabeswarar Shiva Temple
1) Though I have read about these sculptures this is the first time that I saw all the sculptures in one place.
ReplyDelete2) The inscription of 1580 CE by Sevappa Nayak from Kumbesvarar Temple in Kumbakonam records about the prevalence of a Buddha Temple at Tiruvilanturai in Kumbakonam taluk. Though there is no Buddha temple or remnants in Tiruvilanturai this inscription proves the existence of Buddhism till 16th century CE in Tamil Nadu.
தகவலுக்கு நன்றி ஐயா...
Delete3)Of these sculptures some look like Jain sculptures.
ReplyDeleteஆனால் பெரும்பான்மையான ஆய்வாளர்கள் புத்தர் புடைப்புச்சிற்பங்களாகவே கருதுகின்றனர் ஐயா..
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