Archive · 21 Sep 2025
Ancient Odia Copper Plate Reveals Eclipses' Significance
Imagine kings long ago believed special times like eclipses were lucky!
In India, a king named Mallikarjuna Deva found a copper plate showing he gave away land during a solar eclipse.
This happened in 1475.
He and other rulers thought eclipses were "punya kala", a time for religious acts and giving to others.
The copper plate shows the king followed religious traditions and also knew about astronomy.
It also had a warning: anyone taking the land would get bad luck!
The plate confirms how rulers mixed faith, science, and their roles as leaders.
Odia copper plates from Mallikarjuna Deva's reign were discovered in Srisailam Temple.
The inscription reveals the king donated land during a solar eclipse.
The donation took place on October 1, 1475 CE.
Eclipses were considered auspicious times for religious rituals.
The copper plates bear royal symbols of the Gajapati dynasty.
- Who
- Gajapati King Mallikarjuna Deva
- What
- Donation of Rilima village during a solar eclipse
- When
- October 1, 1475 CE
- Where
- Srisailam Temple, Kurnool district
- Why
- To perform religious rituals and donate wealth during an auspicious time
- Discovery
- Two Odia copper plates from the reign of Gajapati King Mallikarjuna Deva
- Location of Discovery
- Ghanatamana mandapam at Srisailam Temple, Kurnool district
- Date of Donation
- October 1, 1475 CE
- Ruler's Title
- Bira Sri Pratapa
- Dynasty
- Suryavanshi Gajapati
- Plate Features
- Royal insignia: conch, discus, damaru, trident, sun and moon