Buddhist Temple, புத்தர் கோவில், புஷ்பவனம்/ Pushpavanam, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Buddha Temple/idol at Pushpavanam, in Nagapattinam District, was part of “Shiva, Vishnu and Buddhist Temples Visit in Puducherry, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli Districts”, from 8^th to 10^th April 2026. It was a long wish to see this Buddha under a peepal tree, at Pushpavanam, in Nagapattinam District.

DETAILS OF BUDDHA IDOL

The Buddha idol measures 145 cm tall. The Buddha is in an ardha padmasana sitting posture. The Buddha is in meditation with palms facing up (Dharma chakra is on the right palm) and eyes slightly open. Buddha is with elongated earlobes, curled hair, an ushnisa on the top of his head, threefold on the neck, broad chest, and the dress fold on the left shoulder with a beautiful smile on his lips.

As per the historians, this Buddha idol belongs to the 9^th century, Chozha period.

BELIEFS OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE

Locals believe that this idol is a Nattukottai Chettiar and came from above the earth on its own. Locals pray to this idol, considering it a Hindu deity, applying vibhuthi and kungumam. After the wishes are fulfilled, they tonsure their head, lighting brass and mud lamps, burning camphor and Frankincense resin (சாம்பிராணி). Special poojas are done on Buddha Poornima day, Thai Pongal, etc.

Ref:

சோழநாட்டில் பௌத்தம், by முனைவர் பா ஜம்புலிங்கம்.

LOCATION OF THE BUDDHA IDOL: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---