Buddhist heritage of Kuttanadu (Alapuzha)

            The present-day Alappuzha, commonly known all over the world as the Venice of the East, was once famous for its remarkable Buddhist heritage. At that time the beautiful watershed landscape was known as Kuttanadu means the land of Cheran Chenkuttuvan. Cheran Chenkuttuvan was a great patron of Buddhism. During his reign the Buddhist Sanga from Sri Lanka visited Kerala to propagate Buddhism. It was during his period that the temple of Kodungaloor was built. And the image of the temple, goddess Pathini has brought from Sri Lanka. From the evidence given by Mahavamsom it can be assumed that at the time of the erection of the image of goddess Pathini, Sri Lankan king Gajabaghu was also present here. The mythology related to the origin of Kodungaloor temple itself points at this. From all these historical evidences it can be concluded that Buddhism flourished as a major sociocultural current throughout Kerala during the period of the Chera kingdom. The Chera kings built Buddha Viharas and educational institutions (Ezhuthupalli) extensively all over Kerala with a view to propagating Buddhism. As a result of these interventions several people of Cheranadu, mostly of Adidhravida communities, were attracted towards Buddhist principles; thus Buddhism developed as a prominent religion Kerala.