ASI Discovers Inscription on Leprosy Cure of Vijayanagara King Proudhadevaraya
The ASI director (epigraphy) stated, “The finding of the inscription is historically important as it preserves the sthalapurana of the place.”
Vijayawada: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found an epigraphical reference to a miraculous cure from leprosy experienced by Vijayanagara king Proudhadevaraya after bathing in the tirtha at Svetasringagiri, where the River Krishna flows northwards.
The inscription, recounting the local legend of the king’s cure, was engraved on both sides of a slab discovered at Nandularevu in Jadapalli Thanda of Achampet mandal in Palnadu district. It was inscribed in Sanskrit using Telugu script and dated Saka 1582, Sarvari, Magha, Shivaratri—equivalent to 2 February 1661 CE, a Saturday.
The inscription records the consecration of an image of Dakshinamurthi on the banks of the River Krishna at Rameswaram by Raghuramasraya, disciple of Ramagopalasraya and grand-disciple of Svarupakrishnasraya.
The ASI director (epigraphy) stated, “The finding of the inscription is historically important as it preserves the sthalapurana of the place.”
Maddineni Gangarao, a native of Chamarru village in Palnadu district, assisted ASI in locating the inscription.
