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 ---

Vadakudi Siva Temple - Sri Thirumeni Azhagar Temple/ வடக்குடி சிவ ஆலயம்/ ஶ்ரீ திருமேனி அழகர் ஆலயம், Vadakudi, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu

The visit to this Sri Thirumeni Azhagar Temple at Vadakudi, 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. The temple is on the Vettar River mouth, where the river joins the Bay of Bengal.

Moolavar  : Sri Thirumeni Azhagar

Consort    : Sri Soundarya Nayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank with a neerali mandapam is in front of the temple. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam, 63var, Maha Ganapati, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar with Peacock vahana under a kal mandapam, Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi, Murugan, Chandikeswarar, Vayu Lingam, Sapta Rishis, karpaka vruksham, Kamadhenu, Sapta Kannis, Nava Veerars, Saniswaran, Nagars, Nagars (In a single straight line), Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, and Ayyanar with Poorna Puskala.  

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi that faces south. Dwarapalakis are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Nandi with his consort

Ayyanar with his consorts

Navagrahas are in a straight line

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram and the vimanam above the bhumi desam was built with bricks. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of plain valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus, and vyyalavari. The dravida vimanam above bhumi desam is with one tala, greevam, and dravida sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple may belong to the 16^th to 17^th century, Vijayanagara period. The temple is being maintained privately by Sri Sivaprakasan Chettiar. 

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Theipirai Ashtami, Theipirai Panchami, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Thai Poosam, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Vadakudi is about 2.5 km from Nagore Railway Station, 10 km from Nagapattinam, and 31 km from Thiruvarur and Karaikal.

The nearest Railway Station is Nagore.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Sri Naganathar Temple/ நாகநாதர் திருக்கோயில் நாகூர்/ Nagoor/Nagore, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Naganathar Temple at Nagore, 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. The temple is on the Vettar River mouth, where the river joins the Bay of Bengal. It is believed that this place, Nagore, obtained its name from Shiva of this temple.

This temple is one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam; hymns have been sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal.

புன்னாவன தருக்கள் மிகுத்துதன் பொழிள்சூழ்

நன்னாகூர் மேயபிரான் அவன் கழல்

பன்னாழ் இசையேந்தி பணிவோர்க் கெல்லாம்

என்நாலும் இடரில்லை என்றேன் மினே

……. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

Moolavar  : Sri Naganathar

Consort    : Sri Nagavalli Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank is on the right side of the temple. Nandi, with his consort, is on the south side of the Rajagopuram passage. Kodimara Vinayagar, Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is of swayambhu on a round avudaiyar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Natarajar and Sivakami are in the ardha mandapam. Thiyagarajar sannidhi is on the south side of the Moolavar sannidhi.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi that faces south in the maha mandapam. Dwarapalakis are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varadha hastam.

In the praharam, Chandikeswarar, 63var, Nagars under Sthala Vruksham Pinnai Tree, Valampuri Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Jyothi Lingam, Swarna Lingam, Nalvar, Bairavar, Saniswarar, Navagrahas (all are in a straight line), Suryan, Nagarajar, Pancha Lingas, and Vahana Mandapam.

Dakshinamurthy

Ambal

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar

Brahma

Chandikeswarars

Nandi with his consort

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram, and the vimanam above the bhumi desam was built with bricks. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of plain valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus, and vyyalavari. A dravida vimanam above Bhumi Desam is with one tala, greevam and dravida sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since this temple is a Thevara Vaippu Sthalam, sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, the original temple might have existed since the 7^th century. Later, the temple was reconstructed.

பாண்டியர்(?), 7 ஆம் ஆட்சி ஆண்டு பொயு 14 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு, அரசன் பெயரில் இல்லாத இக்கல்வெட்டு ராஜராஜப் பெரும்பள்ளியான ஸ்ரீமாகேஸ்வர பெரும்பள்ளியின் காரியவர், கணக்கர், பண்டாரிகள் ஆகியோருக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்ட சிறு முறி ஆகும். திருப்பணிக்காக இறையிலியாக நிலம் கொடுத்ததையும், இவ்வோலையினையே ஆணையாகக் கொண்டு (பிடிபாடு) ஊரெல்லையும், அதில் குடிகளும் வரையறுத்துக் கொண்டு, அதனைக் கல்லிலும் செம்பிலும் வெட்டி வைத்துக் கொள்ளவும் அதிகாரம் அளிக்கப்பட்டதைத் தெரிவிக்கிறது. குலசேகர நயபாலன், பராக்கிரம பாண்டிய தனபாலன் என்ற கையொப்ப மிட்டோரின் பெயர்களைக் கொண்டு, இதனைப் பாண்டியர் கல்வெட்டாகக் கருத முடிகிறது.

Ref:

தமிழ்நாட்டுக் கல்வெட்டுகள் வரிசை எண்: 29, நாகபட்டிணம் மாவட்ட கல்வெட்டுகள். 

LEGENDS

This temple is a special one due to Thalam, Murti and Theertham. Also called Maha thalam due to the presence of 6 features like Punnaka vanam, Chandra Theertham, Rudra River (Vettar), Suba Punya hill, and Viswa kanya vimanam.

To get rid of the curse due to the biting of an andhanar’s son Sambhu, on Maha Sivaratri day, first kalam, Nagaraja  worshipped Naganatha Swamy of Kumbhakonam; on second kalam, worshipped Naganatha Swamy of Thirunageswaram, on the third kalam, worshipped Thirupampuram Naganatha Swamy, and on 4^th kalam, worshipped Nagore Naganatha Swamy. Hence, this temple is one of the Rahu and Ketu parihara sthalam. Shiva appeared in the form of Swayambhu under the Punnai Tree and gave darshan to Maha Vishnu on Vaikasi pournami day.

Shiva was worshipped by Brahma, Indra, Chandran, Durvasar, Saptarishis, Rudrasanman, and Andhanar.  

Sthala Vruksham

Nagar with his consorts

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Theipirai Ashtami, Theipirai Panchami, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Thai Poosam, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1.5 km from Nagore Railway Station, 8 km from Nagapattinam, and 32 km from Thiruvarur and Karaikal.

The nearest Railway Station is Nagore.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Buddhism in Chozha Country, Buddha of Buddhamangalam, Nagapattinam District, Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvarur, Thiruvarur District, Manambadi in Thanjavur District, Nageswara Swamy Temple, in Kumbakonam, and Gangaikonda Chozhapuram in Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to these Buddha Sculptures and the Buddha Temple at Thiruvarur, Buddha Mangalam, Mannargudi, and Manambadi was a part of the “Shiva, Murugan, Divya Desams, and Buddha Temples Visit around Nagapattinam and Kumbakonam” on 4^th and 28th to 29th September, 2024. Most of the time, I used to travel and visit the Village temples, with the route guidance of Google Maps. But the journey to the Buddha Temple at Buddhamangalam through an untar-topped, bumpy Village Road, without a BSNL internet connection, and without a Google map location, was a different experience. Thanks to Dr. Jambulingam for his book on “Buddhism in Chozha Country” and his Guidance.  

சோழர்கள் காலத்தைச் சார்ந்த புத்தர் சிற்பங்களைத் தேடி ஒரு பயணம்… நாகபட்டினம், திருவாரூர் மற்றும் தஞ்சாவூர் மாவட்டங்களில் உள்ள அதிகம் அறியபடாத கிராமங்களில்… முனைவர் திரு ஜம்புலிங்கம் ஐயாவின் "சோழநாட்டில் பௌத்தம்" என்ற புத்தகத்தின் வழிகாட்டுதலுன்… 

Thiruvarur Buddha

BUDDHA OF THYAGARAJA TEMPLE, THIRUVARUR.

This Buddha is in the Museum of Thyagaraja Temple, at Thiruvarur. This Buddha was unearthed from the Village of Kandiramanickam, near Kudavasal, while doing an excavation. The Buddha idol measures 63 inches tall and 33 inches wide. This Buddha idol may belong to the 11th to 12th century CE. 

The Buddha is in a dhyana posture. Dharmachakra is on the palm, facing up. The Buddha is shown with a tilak on the forehead, open eyes, swirl hair, Ushnisha on top of his head, elongated earlobes, and a beautiful smile on his face. The folding of the dress is shown on his left side chest.

LOCATION OF THE BUDDHA: CLICK HERE

Dharma Chakra

BUDDHA OF BUDDHA MANGALAM. 

This Buddha Temple is in front of the Kilvelur Regulated Market at Buddhamangalam. The name of this place, Buddhamangalam, and the location of the Buddha Temple are not updated in Google Maps. 

Thailand Buddha devotees built this Buddhamangalam Buddha Temple for an abandoned idol in this Village. The Buddha idol was in a disintegrated condition. The head and legs are joined together with rods inserted after drilling. The Buddha is in ardha padmasana sitting posture with dhyana mudra. His eyes are open, and his ear lobes are elongated. The dharma chakra is on the palm, facing up. The folding of the dress is shown on his left chest.

LEGENDS

As per the local legend, to get rain, chili is ground with water and applied on the head and garlanded with erukkan poo (calotropis) to Buddha. The rain will come immediately. The Locals pray to Buddha as -'மழையை வரவை சாமி'- Oh God, please bring the Rain.

CONTACT DETAILS

Raja, the caretaker’s mobile number, is +9199940 33685 may be contacted for further details

HOW TO REACH

To reach Buddhamangalam, on Nagapattinam to Thiruvar, from Nagapattinam, turn right at Kilverur Temple Chariot Shed / Anchuvattathu Amman Thiru Their, proceed for about 170 meters, and turn left on Kurumangudi to Eravanchery to Keezh Velur road. After about  650 meters, turn right and proceed straight up to the Kil Velur regulated market building. The Buddha temple is in front of the Building.

LOCATION OF THE BUDDHA SHRINE: CLICK HERE

BUDDHA STATUE AT SRI MALLINATHA SWAMY JAIN TEMPLE, MANNARGUDI.

The Visit to this Sri Mallinatha Swamy Jain Temple was a part of the “Visit to Shiva, Murugan, Divya Desams, and Buddha Temples around Nagapattinam” on 4^th September 2024.

The purpose of the Visit was to see the Buddha Statue. But I was disappointed to see a Tirthankara statue in the same spot where the Buddha was. Again referred Dr Jambulingam’s book and found a very, very, very, very small font, footnote No. 38, which says that the statue is not there now. It is my fault that, without studying correctly, I proceeded to Mannagudi to Nagapattinam, wasting money and time.  

மன்னார்குடி ஸ்ரீ மல்லிநாதர் சமணர் கோயில் பிரகாரத்தில் ஒரு மரத்தடியில் புத்தர் சிலையை, தீர்தங்கர்ராக வழிபட்டதாக முனைவர் திரு ஜம்புலிங்கம் ஐயா எழுதிய சோழநாட்டில் பௌத்தம் என்ற புத்தகத்தில் படித்த பின்பு அதைக்காண ஆவலுடன், சென்னை திரும்புவதற்கு முன்பு நாகபட்டினத்தில் இருந்து மன்னார்குடி சென்றேன். ஐயா குறிப்பிட இடத்தில் தீர்த்தங்கரர் மட்டுமே காணப்பட்டார். அங்கு இருப்பவர்கள் அந்த மாதிரி புத்தர் சிலை எதுவும் கோயில் வளாகத்தில் இல்லை என்று கூறினர். மீண்டும் முனைவர் ஜம்புலிங்கம் ஐயாவின் புத்தகத்தை படிக்கும் போது, மிக மிக மிக மிக மிக சிறிய அளவில் அச்சிடப்பட்டு இருந்த அடிக்குறிப்பில் புத்தர் தற்போது அங்கு இல்லை எனக்குறிப்பிட்டு இருந்தார். அடிக்குறிப்பை சரியாக படிக்காததின் விளைவு ஏமாற்றத்தில் முடிந்தது. (அடிக்குறிப்பு கொஞ்சம் பெரிய எழுத்துகளில் அச்சடிக்கப்பட்டு இருந்தால் என்னைப் போன்ற வயதானவர்கள் படிக்க ஏதுவாக இருந்திருக்கும்).

Buddha was measuring 71 Cm tall. Buddha was sitting in ardha padmasana dhyana posture. Dharmachakra was found on the palm facing up. Eyes are half closed, elongated earlobes, a thilak on the forehead, and a beautiful smile on the face. Buddha with curled hair, a Ushnisha, and a prabhai on the back of the head. Buddha had a broad chest, and the upper cloth’s folding was shown on the left side of the chest. Two samaradharis are also found on both sides. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

 

The Missing Buddha statue

The Thirthankara Statue in place of the Buddha Statue

BUDDHA STATUE AT SRI VADA BHATHRA KALIAMMAN TEMPLE, MANAMBADI, THANJAVUR DISTRICT. 

This visit to the Buddha statue was a part of the Shiva and Vishnu Temples Heritage Walk (Rajendra Chozha's War Trophies) around Kumbakonam, organized by Kumbakonam Vattara Varalatru Aayvu Sangam on 28-29^th September 2024.

This Buddha Statue is installed in the premises of Sri Vada Bhathra Kaliamman Temple at Manambadi in Thanjavur District. Buddha was 127 cm tall. Buddha is in the ardha padmasana dhyana posture. Eyes are half closed, elongated earlobes, a thilak on the forehead, and a beautiful smile on the face. Buddha has curled hair, an ushnisha, and a prabhai on the back side of the head. Buddha has with broad chest, and the upper cloth’s folding is shown on the left side of the chest.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

BHAGAVAR AT KUMBAKONAM NAGESWARA SWAMY (KUDANTHAI KEEL KOTTAM ), KUMBAKONAM.

This Bhagavar Rishi was wrongly identified as a Buddha Statue since some of the features match Buddha. The important details, like ushnisha and upper dress folding, are missing.

About Bhagavar Rishi, before his mother’s demise, his mother asked to dissolve her remains/asth be dissolvedi, where it turned into a flower. After visiting many holy places, Bhagavar came to Kumbakonam and took a bath in the Kaveri. He found that the asthi turned to flower and dissolved in the Kaveri. Later stayed in Kumbakonam and worshipped Vinayagar at this temple. Hence, the Vinayagar is called Bhagavar Vinayagar.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

STATUE AT GANGAIKONDA CHOZHAPURAM

This idol is along with other unearthed statues around Gangaikonda Chozhapuram. This statue is in broken condition without a head. The Yagnopaveetha looks like a dress. Hence, this Statue is not Buddha. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---