The Buddh Vihara of Kozhikode

This building is unique as it is the only representation of Buddhism in Kozhikode. Tucked along the customs road near the Kozhikode beach is a place to be revered & it welcomes visitors to know more about Buddha. The Buddha Vihara teaches its guests the importance of Buddhism & the curator will give you a peaceful walk inside the house. The vihara was founded in 1935 by Bhikshu Dharma Skandha who belonged to the Ceylonese Mahabodhi Vihara. For many years this place had been a major cultural centre which attracted many Buddhist scholars & monks from across the globe.

Inside the vihara there is a library which houses over 5000 books in different languages including Pali which gives you insights about the Mahabodhi society. Walk around the vihara to attain a bit of peace. Inside the vihara there is a beautiful sculpture of Buddha’s image carved by sculptors from Srilanka & it was donated to the vihara by the C.C Brothers. You will also find a statue of Mithavadi Krishnan Vakil who was a prominent social reformer of the Ezhava caste & also propagated Buddhism here. Two bodhi trees from erstwhile Ceylon were planted by Manjeri Rama Ayyar & Krishnan Vakil inside the compound. Today only one tree is seen as the other was taken to another sanctuary.

This is also the place where the famous meeting of Sahodaran Ayyappan, C.V. Kunhiraman, and Krishnan were held who argued for embracing Buddhism. Walk inside the house & understand the teachings of Buddha. Most of the Buddhist temples one goes around the world have an elaborate but simple way of inviting devotees, but the vihara is a simple house which houses the values of Buddha so it is a place for all to find Buddha in his most simple form. The entry is free for all but it's restricted; so follow the rules of the vihara.