Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapura (MS)

Kundapura, Feb 19: Inscriptions have been found on the ancient brass ornamental arch at Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple. The inscription is found on top at the backside and bottom part of the brass arch.

One has to remember that the sanctum sanctorum of Mahalingeshwara is  addressed as Nakhareshwara. Nakhara Traders’ Association has played a major role in the development of temples in Basruru.

The summary of the inscription says, “Sadashiva Nayaka was ruling Tulu Rajya in Shakha year 1482 (1559-1560 AD). Halas who were very pious and residing at the western side of Basrur gave away gold to make the ornamental arch and the idol of God. The weight of the golden coins was 500 grams" This work was done by Ramachari and president of the temple was Bemmara Shankaralinga Setty.

The age that has been mentioned in the inscription is 1559-1560. Sadashiva Nayaka was ruling the Tulu Kingdom then. While observing some inscriptions that have been found in coastal Karnataka and Malnad regions during the rule of Dodda Sankanna and Chikka Sankanna in Keladi, their father Sadashiva Nayaka’s name has been found on them.

Due to the bravery exhibited by Sadashiva Nayaka of Keladi during the various wars waged by the Viajayanagara kingdom, Raya had bestowed upon him the title of Nayaka. After this Sadashiva Nayaka ruled Araga 18 Kampana, Chandragutthi 18 Kampana, Tulu Rajya, Barkru and Mangaluru. Sadashiva worked as a link between kings of coastal region and Karnata kingdom. Sadashiva Nayaka was instrumental in improving the coastal region that helped him earn a permanent place in the hearts of people living in the region. Sadashiva Nayaka was an ardent devotee of Lord Shankaranarayana and that is the reason he had named his two sons as Dodda Sankanna and Chikka Sankanna.

Some inscriptions are done in the name of Sadashiva Nayaka to make use of his status in the coastal region. It is also possible that Dodda and Chikka Sankanna must have got their father’s name engraved in the form of inscriptions to honour him.

This inscription on the ornamental arch has given a lot of scope for studies of ancient times. After the historical Talikote battle of 1565, Keladi kingdom expanded its span from south Goa to Neeleshwara of Kerala.

The inscription was found by Pradeep Kumar Basruru along with temple trustee B Appanna Hegde and grama panchayat member Mahesh Mendon. They were assisted in the study by Ajay Kumar Sharma Shivamogga and Sripati Acharya Mangaluru.