Karumadikuttan Statue of Buddha, the Sole Remnant of Buddhist Existence in Kerala

Karumady is a small village, located at a distance of about 3 km from Alleppey, in Kerala. It is one of the most
popular villages in the state as it is visited by a large number of tourists throughout the year.

The chief reason behind the popularity of this village is the black granite statue of Buddha, which is renowned as the ‘Karumadikuttan’. Over the years, the place has become a prime Buddhist pilgrimage centre in Kerala.

History

You will find several architectural, cultural and linguistic influence of the early Buddhist religion in Kerala. The present day educational achievements of the state can also be traced back to the Buddhist missionary or the ‘Pallikoodam’, which were linked with the Buddhist temples. Buddhism was introduced in Kerala in the early 3^rd century BC, coexisting with Jainism. If you closely observe, you will find that some of the prime temples of the state are the modified version of Buddhist or Jain temples in the past. It is believed that as time passed by, Hinduism took over the region and the Buddhist temples were converted into Hindu temples. To an extent, the Buddhist history was deliberately erased after the revival of Hinduism in Kerala, but the Karumadikuttan survived, reflecting the rich Buddhist cultural history of primeval Kerala.  

As according to the local beliefs, the statue of Buddha at this place is called Karumadikuttan due to its black color. In primeval days, the native boys with black complexion were called by this name. Hence, the statue has been named so. Some also have this belief that as the statue is located in the Karumady village, the statue has been named after the village.  Whatever the history may be behind the name of this statue, but the black colored Karumadikuttan is a unique piece, as there are very few black statues of Buddha across the world. The statue, thus, speaks about the Buddhist presence in Kerala or it might be the sole remnant that is capable of throwing light to the existence of Buddhism in the God's own country.

The Black Granite Statue

The black granite statue of Buddha dates back to 9^th to 10^th century, which is regarded as the peak period during which the Buddhism flourished in Kerala. The statue holds a special place in the history of Kerala, as it reveals about the presence of Buddhism in Kerala. Moreover, it might also be the sole remnant that reflects the Buddhist existence in the state.

The statue is believed to have been discovered by Sir Robert Bristow, who was a British engineer. Today, a shrine has been built around this temple in order to preserve it and is under the State Government of Kerala.  The temple is located on the banks of the Punnamada Lake. This statue of Lord Buddha present at this place is broken into half. According to the legends, it is believed that an elephant charged towards this statue and broke it into half. The statue present over here is in a sitting position and has its left side missing. The locals living in the region believe that the statue posses healing powers and is highly revered by them.

Best Time to Visit

As there is no specific time mentioned to visit the temple, it can be visited throughout the year.

Accommodation

There are plenty of hotels and resorts found in and around the region of Karumady village. These accommodation facilities are well equipped and they provide almost all the modern day amenities.

How to Reach

By Road: The temple is easily accessible by road from Alleppey, located at a distance of just 3 km. Bus and taxi services are available to this place from Alleppey.

By Boat: The temple can also be reached by boat from Alleppey, which will take you around half an hour to get to the site. It is a more convenient mode of transportation to get to the Karumadikuttan temple, as it will allow you to explore the backwaters of Alleppey.

By Air: The nearest airport to this temple is Cochin International Airport, located at a distance of about 110 km. The airport is well linked with several domestic and international cities. Regular bus and taxi services are available from the airport to get to the place.

By Train: The railway station in Alleppey is the nearest station to the temple, located at a distance of about 31 km. The station operates regular trains to and from various major cities in South India as well as other parts of the country. Bus and taxi services are available from the station to get to the temple.