13th Century Buddha Statue Found in Umbalacheri Village on May 17 2026

A new 46 cm Buddha statue from the 13th century was found in Umbalacheri. This is the latest of several historical Buddhist finds in the Nagapattinam area.
By Newsroom | Archaeology, Tamil Nadu |

An artifact, identified as a Buddha sculpture, has surfaced in Umbalacheri village, within the Vedaranyam area of Tamil Nadu. The discovery was made by a group comprising archaeology students and a researcher. Initial assessments place the find within the 13th-century later Chola period. The weathered stone figure, carved from brown-hued rock, measures 46 cm in height and 34 cm in width. It depicts the Buddha in a meditative stance, distinguished by elongated ears and a halo.

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The artifact was located on a small raised area to the west of the Pidari temple, adjacent to the Umbalacheri panchayat road. Officials from the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department have examined the site. One official, K. Vasanthakumar, noted that the Nagapattinam region exhibits numerous indications of Buddhist presence, with historical Buddhist monastic establishments known to have existed in Poompuhar and Nagapattinam.

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This find adds to a known constellation of Buddhist relics in the district. Other recorded Buddha statues in the vicinity include:

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  • A 4.5-foot standing Buddha at Pushpavanam, Vedaranyam.

  • A 4.5-foot statue at Budhamangalam, Kilvelur.

  • A five-foot sculpture, lacking its head, at Keeranthi, Keezhaiyur.

  • A statue from Velankanni, now housed at the Nagapattinam Museum.

The recent discovery at Umbalacheri was noted by Birla Thangadurai, State Deputy President of the Buddhist Society of India. He emphasized that such artifacts often remain largely unknown to the public. The team involved in documenting the recent find included Ramachandran, Deputy Collector and founder of Keezhathanjai Mandram, alongside history enthusiasts Tamilmurasu, Pradeeban, and Saravanan, and temple administrator Deenadayalan.

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The presence of Buddhist sites in the Nagapattinam district points to a historical engagement with the religion in the region. Sculptures like the one recently found are part of a broader tradition of Buddhist art that has evolved over centuries, encompassing various depictions and gestures, such as the meditative posture or the gesture of touching the earth (Bhumisparsha). Historical periods like the Chola era, and even earlier, saw significant patronage and development of Buddhist art and philosophy across India, with notable centers in places like Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, and regions within Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Sikkim.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was found in Umbalacheri village on May 17, 2026?
Students and researchers found a 46 cm tall Buddha statue made of brown rock. It dates back to the 13th-century Chola period and shows the Buddha in a meditative pose.
Q: Where exactly was the 13th-century Buddha statue discovered?
The statue was found on a small hill to the west of the Pidari temple near the Umbalacheri panchayat road. This area is in the Vedaranyam region of Tamil Nadu.
Q: Why is the discovery of the Buddha statue in Umbalacheri important?
It proves that Buddhism was practiced in the Nagapattinam district for a long time. It adds to other known statues found in nearby places like Pushpavanam and Budhamangalam.
Q: Who is looking after the Buddha statue found in Umbalacheri?
The Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department has examined the site. Local history enthusiasts and the Buddhist Society of India are working to document and protect the find.