Ancient Vijayanagara inscription discovered at Penukonda in Andhra Pradesh - The HinduUpdated - September 21, 2026 09:13 pm IST - PENUKONDAA 1363 AD inscription found at the Nagalingeshwara Temple on Penukonda hill in Sri Sathya Sai district. | Photo Credit: ARRANGEMENTAn ancient stone inscription found at the Sri Naga Lingeshwara Swamy temple atop Penukonda hill in Sri Sathya Sai district has shed light on a 662-year-old chapter of Vijayanagara history, revealing that the shrine was commissioned by the then Prime Minister of the empire Anantharasu Chikka Odeyar.Penukonda, which served as second capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, houses the temple on its hilltop. Historian MyNaa Swamy said the epigraph dates back to the reign of Emperor Bukka Raya I (1356-77 CE).Addressing the media here on Monday (September 21, 2026), he said members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Penukonda chapter, found the dilapidated shrine while climbing the hill through rugged northern and western approaches. They spotted an inscription carved into a large boulder within the premises and sent photographs for decipherment.The inscription, in ancient Kannada-Telugu script, opens with “Svasti Sri Saka Varusha 1285” and ends with “Mangala Maha Sri”. According to Mr. Swamy, it records that Anantharasu, who served as Prime Minister under Bukka Raya I, consecrated the Shiva Linga on Sunday, July 16, 1363 CE, corresponding to Saka 1285, Shravana Shuddha Panchami, which fell on auspicious Naga Panchami.The epigraph also mentions a sacred pond built alongside, locally known as Nagula Bavi or Well of Serpents. Members found corroborating evidence inside an intricate sculpture depicting eight Naga Kanyas worshipping Lord Shiva.The historian and his team members urged the State Endowments Department to initiate preservation and restoration works to safeguard the early Vijayanagara-era heritage site.Published - September 21, 2026 09:09 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }