Relics of Buddha’s footprints found

KADAPA, July 21, 2012: (THE HINDU)The relics of two footprints (paada) of Buddha, each of

Relics of Buddha’s footprints founded by Tavva Obul Reddy

one sq. metre size, and ancient historical artefacts such as six “Veeragallu” dating to the fourth century A.D. were discovered in agricultural fields near Venkataramapuram and Anjaneya Kottala in Pullur village, about 15 km. from Mydukur in Kadapa district.

Telugu Bhashodyama Samakhya Rayalaseema area secretary, Writer Tavva Obul Reddy, member Dharmisetty Ramana and Assistant Director of State Archaeology Department, Ramana, recently visited Pullur and found the artefacts as well as traced the origin of an ardent devotee of Sri Venugopala Swamy, Kundavaram Chowdappa. Chowdappa was a poet in the court of the Matli king, Ananthabhoopaludu, who served the Vijayanagar empire, dating to the 16th century A.D. in Pullur village.

Stone inscriptions

The name of Birudanka town ruled by king Birudankithudu was changed to Pullur after a “puli” (tiger) killed a pregnant woman, according to McKenzie’s Kaifiyats, written two centuries ago.

A stone inscription has Buddha’s footprints with the five fingers of equal size and three chakras and figurines of humans, horses and lions carved along the border. Another inscription of Buddha’s footprints has flowers carved along the borders.

However, local residents believed that the footprints on the tank bund near Venkataramapuram were those of Lord Vishnu, Mr. Obul Reddy told The Hindu. The villagers performed abhishekam of the “paada mudrika” with water whenever they faced drought conditions.