VIJAYAWADA: A 15th century AD stone inscription of the Gajapati King Kumara Hamvira was found in a neglected state at Enikepadu village in the outskirts of Vijayawada city. The inscription was rediscovered by Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy, CEO, The Cultural Centre of Vijayawada & Amaravati (CCVA), during his survey as part of the scheme ‘Preserve Heritage for Posterity’ launched by CCVA. It was found abandoned on a street behind the Ramalayam of the village at a distance of five metres from the National Highway.
On a close study of the inscription, Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy says that the first part of the inscription records gifting of Venekepadu village to God Rajanarayana of Bezawada by Kulothunga Rajendra Choda in the year 1274 AD. Below it is another inscription of Kumara Hamvira Deva Mahapatrulu, grandson of Kapileswara Gajapati which records gifting of the same village to the temple services and Kesarapalli (Kesaripadu) village to the temple servants viz., musicians and priests. This Telugu inscription dated 1460 AD refers to Bezawada, the former name of Vijayawada and Venekepadu, present day Enikepadu. Originally standing in the Rama temple the inscription was shifted to the roadside 15 years ago, to facilitate construction of a Kalyana mandapa said, Mr Rachamallu Purnachandra Rao, trustee, and Acharya Agnihotram Venkata Maruti Rama, the priest of the temple.
Dr. Reddy appealed to both the Departments of Archaeology & Museums and Endowments to protect the inscription of historical importance for posterity. Mr. Medasani Subhakar and Paladugu Raghubabu assisted Dr. Sivanagi Reddy in the survey.
