Monogram of Jain inscriptions getting ready in Hassan

Hassan: In an attempt to conserve the ancient stone inscriptions found  in Vindhyagiri, Chandragiri and other monuments of Shravanabelagola, a popular Jain pilgrimage centre in Hassan, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has launched a  project to copy them and make a  monogram to spread awareness among  people about their historical significance. A team of 10 epigraphists has so far copied about 138 stone inscriptions from various monuments, including Vindhyagiri, also called Doddabetta. It's believed there are around 500 such stone inscriptions in Shravanabelagola. 

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Bengaluru Circle, Moortheeswari said the monogram of stone inscriptions  would be released during the much awaited Mahamastakabhisheka of Bahubali in February.

“Whatever is written in stone will be brought to the people's attention through the monogram to help them understand its historical significance and keep them from damaging them,” she explained.

One of the epigraphists on the ASI team revealed that some of the inscriptions were in Kannada, Tamil and Marathi. 

A few spoke about   the practice of Sallekhana or fast unto death that was practiced here in ancient times, he adds.   

Tracing the origin of  the stone writings, he says they appear to have been first made on palm leaves before they were chiselled on the rocks of  Doddabetta, Chikkabetta and other monuments.