A Historical Secret Unearthed at the Lord Venkateswara Temple

A rare inscription dating back nearly 495 years to the reign of Vijayanagara emperor Achyuta Deva Raya has been discovered at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala. Officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently took an impression of the inscription, which was found on a wall of the temple’s third prakaram. K. Munirathnam Reddy, Director of the ASI’s Epigraphy Division, revealed details of this significant historical discovery. The inscription is written in Tamil and dates back to February 13, 1531 AD.

The inscription records details corresponding to the Shaka year 1462, Sharvari Nama year, Kumbha month, Bahula Tritiya and a Sunday. It describes a charitable donation made by Perarulaiyan, one of the Ekangi Sri Vaishnavas residing in Tirumala. The discovery is considered historically significant as it provides valuable information about religious practices, charitable activities and the history of the temple during the Vijayanagara period.