69 stone inscriptions dating back to 9th century discovered in Karnataka's Kodagu, transcription done

Madikeri: The transcription of newly found stone slab inscriptions in Karnataka's Kodagu district has now been completed.

The discovery of the inscriptions by Archaeology, Museums and Heritage department curator B P Rekha during a survey that started in 2023 is considered to be the largest one in Kodagu after B L Rice.

B L Rice had published the transcription of the 114 stone slab inscriptions he had found in Kodagu in the ‘Epigraphia Karnataka’ in 1886.

B P Rekha recently found 69 inscriptions.

H M Nagarajarao, an expert of inscriptions from Mysuru has prepared the transcription of the inscriptions, revealing interesting details.

For instance, in an inscription found in Niluvagilu village dating back to the 9th century AD, a mention has been made about Vasanthi temple, which is not to be found today.

In another inscription found in Edavare village dating back to the 9th century, speaks about a person called Vendi who ascended to the heaven. He was titled ‘the Brahma of Kaliyuga’, the inscription mentions.

A person called Kanakasenaiah had installed a ‘Nishidhi’ inscription at Kalthmadu in Virajpet, in memory of his Guru.

There are several inscriptions pertaining to Jainism.

An inscription is cleaned and smeared with a chemical for copying the text.

An inscription unearthed in Shirangala dating back to 11-12 th century AD mentions the name ‘Sirivangala’ which could be the ancient name of the region. Also, there are mentions of River Cauvery and persons named Siriyamma and Kava Gowda.

Some of the inscriptions even date back to 8th century AD.

An inscription related to Rajendra Chola has been found in Seegehosuru, which highlights the fact that the empire of the ruler extended till Kodagu.

An inscription has been found in Mrityunjaya temple, which mentions the place ‘Vangala’. Another rare inscription from Basavanahalli has a mention of Badiva of Kongalva. It is the rarest available inscription about the Kongalvas.

B P Rekha said that the transcription of 69 inscriptions is complete. A detailed study of these will shed more light on history.