Mangaluru: During recent archaeological explorations in Kadri, researchers uncovered a damaged Buddha statue alongside several significant cave structures, according to Prof T Murugeshi, formerly an associate professor in ancient history and archaeology.The statue was discovered submerged in a water tank situated near the Kadri Manjunatha Temple in a neglected condition. With approval from the temple authorities, it was retrieved from the water for detailed examination. The sculpture has sustained damage, with its head and right hand severed from the main structure. The statue was in a Padmasana position on a Padma Peetha in Dhyana Mudra. The garment draped across the left shoulder rested flatly upon the chest, with its appearance being barely noticeable, Prof Murugeshi stated in a release.“This sculpture under study is identified as Dhyani Buddha. The Buddha image is about 68 cm in height and 48 cm in width, including the prop of the image. The Buddha image is stylistically datable to the 4th-6th century AD,” Murugeshi stated.Further, he said a group of three rock-cut caves found above the eastern side of Kadri tanks is of curious interest. The first one from the right is about eight feet in height and has a semi-circular entrance. It has a single square room with a small provision for a lamp. The middle and third ones have high plinths and two square entrances with single square rooms. The nature of the caves clearly indicates that they were used for residential purposes, he explained.Shreyas Kolpe, a PhD student of Manipal University, Shreyas, assistant lecturer in ancient history & archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva, Karthik, a postgraduate student in archaeology from University College, Mangaluru, and Ravindra Kushwaha, a graduate student in archaeology at MSRS College, Shirva, helped him in the fieldwork, he stated.
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