Miniature Sculpture of Saranath Buddha Unearthed

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Archaeologists on the eve of Buddha Poornima have chanced on a miniature sculpture of Lord Buddha from among the debris taken out of a well near an abandoned temple at Alembi in 76 Badagabettu village, a suburb of Udupi. Incidentally, it was from this very spot earlier that the archaeologists discovered a beautiful Janardhana sculpture at a depth of 22-23 feet in the well earlier, according to T Murugeshi, associate professor, department of ancient history and archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva. 

Miniature Sculpture Of Lord Buddha

The miniature sculpture is about 9cm tall, 5cm wide and about 2cm thick. It is made out of soft sandstone and looks like a replica of the Saranath Buddha. A first of its kind discovery in Karnataka as well as in Udupi, this is carved beautifully. The idol is seated on a lotus pedestal in 'Dharma Chakra Pravarthana Mudra,' which was his posture for his first sermon at deer park. Below the seat, one finds six disciples seated on either side of Dharma Chakra. The Lord is seen with clothes and earrings. 

UNESCO World Heritage Site At Sarnath
A small 'ushnisha' is shown on the top of the head. On the back of the idol's head is an aesthetically carved round lobe. At the top corners, one finds two yakshas and on either side of this one finds two winged horses carved. The architecture is in the Gupta style. In the same vicinity of this find, the team had earlier discovered a Brahmi inscription of 4th-5th century AD on an earthen lid. Traditionally, it is believed that the Kadambas of Banavasi ruled ancient Tulunadu of which Udupi is a part. 

The Guptas and Kadambas of Banavasi had matrimonial relations. Therefore the discovery of Lord Buddha sculpture is not a totally uncommon thing. But this find has opened up a new chapter in the history of the Udupi district and in the study of Buddhism in South India, Prof Murugeshi avers. Ganesh Raj Saralebettu, Shreyas, Nagaraj, Gowtham, Kavya, Bhavya, Harshitha and Ganesh played a very important role in this discovery that will broaden horizons of knowledge.

Ashta Marga Of Lord Buddha In Tulu Script (Courtesy: Buddha)


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