Buddha Dieties Worshipped as Hindu Gods

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Tuesday July 15 2003 00:00 IST

newindiapress.com

Buddha idols worshipped as Hindu deities in coastal Orissa

 

KENDRAPARA: It might seem to be a a case of mistaken identity for the

Hindus to install Buddha idols in the sanctum sanctorum of Hindu

temples and worship them, but per se it is not so.

 

In Orissa's Loknath temple in Paradipgada and Jagannath temple at

Keredagada under Rajnagar Tehsil, Buddha idols are being worshipped

by villagers as `Hindu Gods'.

 

Hundreds of devotees from the two coastal districts of Kendrapara and

Jagatsinghpur throng the temples to offer `puja' on a daily basis to

the deities, little knowing that they are Buddha sculptures.

 

It could be a case where the priests and old-timers, despite being

aware of the misnomer, have taken it in their stride, locals said.

 

According to State Archaeological Department(SAD) superintendent Dr B

K Rath both the temples have already been found by the archaeologists

as conclusively those belonging to Gautam Buddha.

 

While the Loknath temple at Paradipgada almost dates back to the 9th

century, the Jagannath temple in Keredagada Presumably belongs to the

16th century.

 

He said the Buddha idol in Loknath temple was not only being

worshipped inside the sanctum sanctorum but the Buddhist divinities

had also found a pride of place on the temple's exterior walls of

Keredagada Jagannath Temple.

 

Dr Rath said people in the two districts worshipped these sculptures

believing them to be Hindu Gods. About a year ago the archaeologists

sighted this unique mismatch but this did not deter the people.

 

The SAD superintendent said the trend of Buddha idols making their

way to Hindu temples amply justified the fact that the region was a

prominent centre of Buddhism in the state.

 

After the decline of Buddhism during 12th century AD, Hindu kings of

Kalinga kingdom reigned supreme and they had installed some of the

scattered Buddha idols in the Hindu temples.

 

Archaeologists argued that it is difficult for a common man to

distinguish the Buddha idols in the temples as in the present form

they look different with continuous application of vermilion and

sandalwood paste.

 

Besides, these idols resembled Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

 

This apart, there are a number of households in Ratnagiri area having

several sculptures of the famous Buddhist monastery. Local people

also worshipped Buddha idols while installing them on the `Tulasi-

Chaunra' citadel.

 

For the Hindus it is considered auspicious to pay obeisance to

`Tulasi' plant out of religious belief.