Karnataka: 15th century inscription found in areca farm

MANGALURU: A rare inscription of Jain Banga Arasa, a king of the region who donated to Echila Mutt, was found at Annapady of Sajipamooda village in Bantwal taluk recently. This rare inscription was found in the areca farm of late Mohana Poojary and features a ‘purushamriga’ (a mythical creature).
SA Krishnaiah, founder director of Prachya Sanchaya (Oriental Archives) Research Centre, Udupi told TOI, the inscription was found near Annapady Balaganapathy temple.Sanchayagiri Rani Abbakka Tulu Research Centre president Tukarama Poojary and taluk panchayat former president Yashwantha Deraje brought the inscription to the notice of Krishnaiah. Following this, Shruthesh Acharya Moodubelle deciphered the inscription.
Shruthesh said the preliminary study of the inscription indicates that it is a 15th century inscription with a unique sculpture of ‘purushamriga’. This is probably for the first time that an engraved purushamriga sculpture was found in an inscription from this region. This has been noticed on the top row of the inscription. About 33 ‘kaatigadyana’ (coins) were handed over to the mutt so that they could take care of the ‘Naivedya’ or rice prasad.

The granite inscription is about 138cm tall and 76cm wide with Kannada script. It has 17 lines and an aura with a shivalinga. To mark the worldview perspective ‘Soorya Chandra’ has been inscribed. A bull on the inscription has also been deciphered. The gift inscription has been given to the Echila mutt by Lakshmappa Arasa Odeya, nephew of Banga king Pandyappa Arasa on a lunar eclipse day. “More studies on the inscription will throw light on the history of Tulunadu and its leaders,” Shruthesh said.
Kishan Kumar Moodubelle, S Lingappa Dota, Kushesh and Ramesh Annapady have supported the study.