Oldest inscription of Krishnadevaraya found in Udupi

The epigraph was found inside the sanctum sanctorum of Ulluru Sri Kartikeya temple of Kandavara in Kundapur taluk. The temple authorities found the epigraph during renovation and invited MSRS College Associate Professor in Ancient History and Archaeology Prof T. Murugeshi to study it. “Ulluru Kartikeya temple is one of the earliest temples in coastal Karnataka. Till date eight inscriptions by the Vijayanagara Kings (of Sangama and Tuluva dynasties) have been reported by historian Dr P.N. Narasimha Murthy including an inscription by Krishnadevaraya of a later date (1522). But the recently discovered one is the oldest among all inscriptions of Krishnadevaraya found in Udupi and DK districts. It dates back to the first year of his reign,” Prof. Murugeshi told Deccan Chronicle.

“Generally, Vijayanagar inscriptions begin with an invocation, but interestingly this inscription starts with a simple word ‘Swasthishri’ (may it be well),” he said. “The exact date of the inscription cannot be decided as the part of the date is damaged.

“However, with the remaining lines, we can conclude that the inscription was engraved in the Sukla Samvatsara and Magha masa of Saka year. Sukla Samvatsara (during the rule of Krishnadevaraya ) corresponds to 1509-10 A.D. This is the year Krishnadevaraya came to power,” Prof. Murugeshi said. The inscription which praises Krishnadevaraya states that at his instance, some grants were given for the worship of Lord Kartika of Skandapura (Kandavara) in the month of Kartika (December).