Thiyaganur Buddha temple, Salem

Address

Thiyaganur Buddha temple Thiyaganur, Salem district, Tamil Nadu

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

The Perambalur Buddhas, also known as the Thiyaganur Buddha statues or Thiyaganur Buddha temple, are a set of historic Buddhist images found in Thiyaganur, a village in Salem district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Puranic Significance

There are two 6-ft (1.8 m) images of Buddha in a sitting posture located in Thiyaganur. One of these images is enshrined in a small temple within a pillared compound, while the other image is situated in a private farm. Additionally, various other images and artifacts related to Buddhism are scattered throughout the village.

Buddhist Temple: The temple in which one of the Buddha images is enshrined is considered the only extant Buddhist temple in the state of Tamil Nadu. It serves as an important historical and religious site.

Historical Significance: Historians identify these Buddha images to be from the 11th century. They provide valuable historical and cultural insights into the presence of Buddhism in the region during that era.

Buddhist Heritage in Tamil Nadu: Thyaganur, with its collection of Buddhist images, is considered one of the significant Buddhist centers in Tamil Nadu, alongside other famous sites like Madurai, Kanchipuram, Nagapattinam, Uraiyur, Kaveripattinam, and Perambalur.

Historical Context: Buddhism had gained popularity in the Tamil Nadu region around the 3rd century BCE, especially during the rule of Emperor Asoka. It continued to flourish under various ruling regimes until the rise of the Bhakti movement during the 6th-9th centuries, which led to a decrease in royal patronage for Buddhism. However, during the reign of Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola in the 11th century, there were endowments made to Buddhist shrines in Nagapattinam, indicating a continued presence of Buddhism in the region.

Distribution of Buddhist Images: While the images in Thiyaganur are particularly noteworthy, there are other Buddhist images located in villages around Perambalur, contributing to the region’s Buddhist heritage.

The Perambalur Buddhas are not only historically significant but also serve as a reminder of the rich cultural and religious diversity that has characterized the Tamil Nadu region throughout its history.