The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Buddha idol found washed ashore at Meipakkam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 15, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Buddha idol found washed ashore at Meipakkam

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 14 . Tsunami surprises do not seem to end. The December 26, 2004 giant waves uncovered sculptures on boulders on the Mamallapuram beach and deposited a metal idol of the Buddha at Meipakkam, about 15 km from there. The village is close to Kalpakkam township, about 70 km from Chennai.

On December 27, fishermen found a casket made of bamboo and fixed on a big raft washed ashore.

For fear that the casket may contain explosive material, they did not open it for a few days. When they opened it, they found the idol, about six inches tall.

The Buddha is fixed on a metal plate. In front is a small metal box, which has Burmese characters in a circle. This box is for holding coins.

Perhaps, the idol was washed away from a shore in Myanmar.

Scientists from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, saw the idol. The NIOT officials, including project director D.V. Rao and scientist B. Sasisekaran, said the finish was excellent. The idol has a golden veneer. The "bhava", the expression on the face, is one of beatitude.

`Siddhana' pose

According to Dr. Sasisekaran, the Buddha is seated on a lotus in the "siddhana" pose. He is holding an "atchaya patra" (alms bowl).

While the left hand is holding the "atchaya patra" from below, the right hand is on top of it. Normally, while one hand will hold the alms bowl, the other will be in "bhoomi sparisa" mudra, pointing towards/touching the earth.

Dr. Sasisekaran explained that the Buddhist iconography had

regional variations. This Buddha had Mongoloid features, which were not surprising because the idol was from Myanmar.

He is wearing a robe, thrown over the left shoulder. The hair is sleeked down on the head and knotted up. The idol is fixed on a metal plate, which is corroded. A Buddhist robe was found behind the idol.

On the age of the Buddha idol, the NIOT scientist said no definitive date could be given. It could be a modern one.

It was perhaps in worship in a coastal village in Myanmar when the tsunami washed it on the Meipakkam

shore. The idol has fascinated people from nearby villages.

Officials of the Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle, said the idol should be handed over to the Government Museum in Chennai.

For, it came under the Treasure Trove Act. They said the safety of the idol was important.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu