Telugu inscription of Achyuta Deva Raya time found in Sri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy temple at Tadipatri: Historian MyNaa Swamy

Historian MyNaa Swamy highlights a Telugu inscription from Achyuta Deva Raya's era at Tadipatri's Sri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy temple.

Historian MyNaa Swamy said Telugu inscription from the time of Achyuta Deva Raya has been found at the Brindavanam (Tulsi garden) in Sri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy temple at Tadipatri in Anantapur district. He visited the temple along with Tadipatri former Municipal Chairman J.C. Prabhakar Reddy.

The historian explained that the inscription said that the ‘Brindavanam’ (Tulsi Fort), decorated with special sculptures, was built in Vikari year Shravana Bahula 15 (English date 1539 August), as a symbol of the 12 Alwars, who were Vaishnava devotees. In Brindavanam, the idols of the four incarnations of Shri Maha Vishnu symbolising the four Yugas have been beautifully sculpted. On the eastern side, there is idol of Lord Vishnu; on the western side-Narasimha; on the northern side-idols of Rama; and on the southern side- idol of Sri Bala Krishna can be seen.

“Apart from the wheel (chakra), conch, and mace (gada), which are weapons of Sri Maha Vishnu, a Sivalinga, which symbolises Saiva philosophy, is also a rare sight on the Brindavanam,” MyNaa Swamy added. He said that this is a testimony to the devotion of the then emperor Achyuta Deva Raya and the harmony of all religions.

The historian visited Tadipatri on the invitation of Mr. Prabhakara Reddy and MLA J.C. Asmith Reddy, who are working to put Tadipatri on the country’s map as a tourist destination. As part of his research, he visited the Sri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy Temple and revealed interesting facts about Brindavanam and the historical inscription on it.

Though the temples in Tadipatri had a wealth of sculptures on par with other famous temples such as Lepakshi, Gorantla, Kadiri, and Somapalem, historians paid little attention to them.

MyNaa Swamy appealed to historians and research scholars in universities to focus on the architectural wealth and history of these temples and make them more visible to the outside world.