CHENNAI– A rare headless Buddha idol believed to date back to the 10th century has been unearthed on the banks of an irrigation tank in Avudaiyarkovil, Pudukkottai district, researchers said on Tuesday.
The discovery was made by members of the Pudukkottai Archaeological Research Forum during a field survey as part of their ongoing project to document ancient monuments in the region.
A. Manikandan, founder of the Forum and researcher at Tamil University’s Department of Ancient Science, said the idol was located at the Periya Kanmai irrigation tank on the mound of the Perumadai canal. Carved from black stone, the sculpture has long been referred to by locals as Thalai Illa Saami (headless deity).
Villagers believe the idol possesses rain-bringing powers when a clay head is placed on it during droughts. Standing 48 cm tall and 38 cm wide, the figure depicts Buddha draped in a robe over the right shoulder with a cloth around the waist. Notable features include a broad chest, wide shoulders, three folds on the neck (trivali), and the right hand raised above the left palm in a traditional gesture.
Residents told researchers that the missing head was once spotted in a nearby canal but has since been lost. The team plans further exploration to locate it.
Avudaiyarkovil and its surroundings are historically linked to a vibrant Buddhist presence during the Chola era. Ancient texts record that Buddhist scholar Buddhamitra, author of the grammar text Vīra Chozhiyam during the reign of Chola king Vira Rajendra, hailed from Ponpathi (ancient Ponpatri), near Avudaiyarkovil. Remains of a moat and fort-like structure associated with him are still visible today.
“This discovery strengthens evidence of Pudukkottai’s Buddhist heritage and highlights the need for deeper archaeological research in the region,” Manikandan said. (Source: IANS)
