Gulbarga (Karnataka), May 27, 2012: Historian and research scholar D N Akki Gogi from Yadagir district has unearthed an 11th century inscription written in Kannada from a ruined Jain temple in Allur village in Gulbarga district.
- According to the experts, the inscription, which is on a stone pillar, was written in the form of Kannada that was used in 1050 AD.
- The inscription was read by eminent epigraphers, including, Sitaram Jagirdar and Dr M G Manjunath from Mysore University.
- It is said that Allur village was ruled by the chieftains of Kalyana Chalukya rulers.
- The ruined Jain temple, where the inscription was found, was reportedly built by the devotee Benneya Machisetty during the time of Jain saint Munigunachandra.
- Experts said that the threeline- ling inscription revealed an account of those who built the temple in the 11th century.
- Apart from the inscription, the Jain temple also houses a three-feet-long statue of Lord Parshwanath, the 23rd Tirthankara in whose memory the structure was built.
- “This temple is a treasure trove for researchers of ancient temples,” D N Akki informed.
- Experts added that the place where the inscription was found has traces Nishadi Shilpas.
- The findings signify that there Jain saints used to practice ‘Sallekhana Vritha’, a rigorous ritual of holy fast unto death, which aimed to gain ‘Moksha’ from the world. – News Courtesy: IBN Live