Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 2: Associate professor in the department of ancient history and archaeology of Mulki Sundar Ram Shetty College, Shirva, Prof T Murugeshi, has said that a monolithic stone edict belonging to the era of King Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire has been recovered from Kandavara in Kundapur taluk.

The edict has been carved out on a rectangular stone slab in Kannada, starting every line with a zero. Although it is normal for edicts of Vijayanara empire to begin with verses praising divine powers, this edict has begun with just the word, 'Swastisri'. The edict containing 30 lines has begun with the date and year of its creation, but this portion has got erased over the years.

Based on other details provided in the edict, it can be safely construed to have been written in 1509 AD. It claims to have been created during the first year of Krishnadevaraya's rule. It says that Barkur province was being ruled then under Krishnadevaraya by Mallappa Odeyar.

The edict mentions about ceding of land towards performance of Kartika Puja of Lord Kartika at Kandavara, praying for overall well-being of the king. It ends with the praise of Lord Ganapati and Shiva, duly adding at the end that those who preserve this donation will get eternal bliss.

Managing trustee of the said temple, Subraya Udupa, Dr B Venkataramana Udupa and Madhava Adiga from Kandavara extended wholehearted support in studying this edict, Murugeshi said.