Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Earliest Bonalu Inscription Found in 1516
A new inscription was found that shows the Bonalu festival is older than people thought.
It was written in 1516 CE during the rule of King Sri Krishnadevaraya.
The inscription talks about giving land and not taxing certain rituals, like Bonalu, to help people celebrate without extra costs.
This changes what we knew about when Bonalu started, proving it was around even before the Qutb Shahi period.
The inscription was copied long ago but was recently found again.
Experts want to move it to a famous temple so more people can see it.
An inscription dating to 1516 CE reveals Bonalu predates the Qutb Shahi period.
The inscription was found in Gobbur, near the Telangana–Karnataka border.
It records tax exemptions for rituals including Bonalu and land grants for celebrations.
The inscription was set up during the reign of Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya.
Experts propose moving the inscription to the Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad.
- Who
- Dr K. Munirathnam Reddy, Dr M.A. Srinivasan, Sri Krishnadevaraya, Parvatayya, Rayasam Kondamarasayya
- What
- Discovery of an inscription dating Bonalu to 1516 CE
- When
- May 4, 1516 CE (Gregorian calendar)
- Where
- Gobbur, near the Telangana–Karnataka border
- Why
- To record tax exemptions and land grants for Bonalu celebrations
- Inscription Date
- May 4, 1516 CE
- Location
- Gobbur, Telangana–Karnataka border
- Ruler
- Sri Krishnadevaraya (Vijayanagara Empire)
- Festival
- Bonalu
- Discoverer
- Dr K. Munirathnam Reddy (ASI)
- University
- Suravaram Prathap Telugu University
- Tax Exemptions
- Rangam, Kunamuggu, Gaddapattana, Bonalu
- Land Grants
- Pedacherruvu and Bollasamudram tanks