Discovered at Srisailam temple, the Sanskrit inscription links Halley’s 1456 appearance with royal rituals to ward off cosmic misfortune
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| Image via New Indian Express |
Found in Srisailam’s Temple Archives
- The copper plate, written in Sanskrit using the Nagari script, was recovered from the Ghanta Mandapam of the temple.
- It has been dated to June 28, 1456 CE, the exact year of Halley’s Comet’s passage near Earth — a celestial event that occurs roughly every 76 years.
- The discovery was confirmed by K. Muniratnam Reddy, Director of Epigraphy at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Comet as an Ominous Sign
The inscription refers to the comet using the ancient term "Dhumaketu" — meaning “smoke banner” — and describes it as a harbinger of calamity.
“According to the inscription, the comet was believed to bring great misfortune,” Reddy said.
To counteract the negative astrological effects, King Mallikarjuna of the Vijayanagara Empire performed a 'Shanti Puja' (pacification ritual) and made a village grant to a learned Vedic scholar and astronomer.
Key Details from the Inscription:
- Date Recorded: June 28, 1456 CE (Saka 1378, Ashadha Bahula Ekadasi, Monday)
- Celestial Events Noted: Appearance of a comet and meteor shower
- King's Action: Donation of Simgapura village in Kelajha sima, under Hastinavati Vemthe region, to Limganarya, a Brahmin scholar from Kadiyalapura (likely present-day Kadiyapulanka, Kadapa district)
- Purpose Stated: To prevent calamities from “Prakasyaya Mahotpat” (illuminating comets and meteor showers)
Why It Matters
- This is India’s first epigraphical reference — a written, physical record — connecting Halley’s Comet to historical events and responses.
- While ancient Indian texts and Vedic astronomy often mention comets, this temple inscription uniquely dates and describes an actual comet sighting.
- The 1456 CE passage of Halley’s Comet was a major global event, documented in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia as a sign of doom, war, or disease.
- The inscription confirms that Indian rulers, like their counterparts elsewhere, viewed such celestial events as omens requiring ritual appeasement.
Halley’s Comet: A Global Phenomenon
- Named after English astronomer Edmond Halley, the comet returns every 75–76 years.
- Last seen from Earth in 1986, it is expected to return in 2061.
- Its 1456 appearance was recorded in historical documents across the world, often triggering widespread fear and speculation.
This discovery is more than a curiosity — it’s a window into medieval Indian astronomy, kingship, and cosmic beliefs. It shows that Indian scholars and rulers were not only aware of celestial phenomena like Halley’s Comet but also linked them to state rituals and policy decisions.
By bridging scientific observation and traditional beliefs, the Srisailam inscription underscores the deep cultural importance of astronomy in Vijayanagara-era India and provides a rare, physical timeline aligning Indian records with global astronomical history.
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