Rare Chola-era inscription discovered at an ancient temple near Nellore
Nellore: A rare Telugu Chola-era inscription has been discovered in the premises of Sri Kailasanatha Temple at Vegur village in Kovuru mandal of Nellore district.
Dr Govindu Surendra, Professor of History at SKR Government Degree College, Gudur and also a Stapathi, said that it was a rare inscription of the 21st reign of the first Kulottunga Chola Raja in 1169 AD.
Dr Surendra said that he examined the stone inscription found in the vicinity of Veguru Sri Kailasanatha Temple following a request from villagers. It was written in the ancient Tamil script.
The inscription pertains to land measuring 20 san kolu from 330 kuli land (details of land extent in the bygone era) donated by Sewan Boydan to Lord Kailasanatha shrine to perform special rituals during the new moon day.
Dr Surendra said that it was rare among the inscriptions found in South India, and the upper part of this inscription was famous for the two-faced Nandiswara with trident and ankusha (axe) line drawing on the opposite side.
In the inscription, it is explained that if anyone encroached on this land belonging to God, it would be as sinful as killing a cow on the banks of the Ganges, so the devotees of Maheshwar should protect this charity.
"Along with this very ancient inscription, there is another inscription in the records, but it is not available at present," the Professor said.
He appealed to the officials of the Department of Endowment and State Archaeology to preserve these and hand over our history as a legacy to future generations.
Interestingly, the inscription was mentioned in the book ‘A Collection of the Inscriptions on Copper Plates and Stones in the Nellore District’ published in 1905.
Dr Surendra said that he came to know about this when he contacted P. Munirathnam Reddy, Epigraphical Director, Mysore and Prof. B. Ramachandra Reddy of Puduchchery for insight into the inscription written in the ancient Tamil script.
Endowment Assistant Sthapathy P. Surendra, temple chairman Mogili Malli Karjuna, temple head priest Venkata Ramanaiah and local resident Todeti Mahesh and villagers were present when Dr Surendra examined the inscription on Sunday.
