2017-06-12 Mon

Vijayanagar was one the powerful dynasties in the South India. And Krishna Deva Raya was the most prominent ruler of the (Tuluva) dynasty. Because of his mesmerizing personality, he was given the title ‘Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana’ meaning ‘Lord of the Kannada Empire’.

Krishna Deva Raya was coronated on the day when Krishna (Hindu God) was born. He was a great patron of Lord Vishnu and this can be seen through his coins too.

The given coin is a Double Pagoda or Dodda Honnu weighing around 7.8 grams. The obverse of the coins depicts Shri Balaji/ Venkateshwar standing facing under an arch ornamented with makaras, wearing a crown, holding Shankha and Chakra his weapon in his upper arms, and the fingers pointing downwards making Varadamudra the dispensing of boons, and mace and lotus as the attributes of Lord Vishnu. While the reverse bears Devanagari legend ‘Sri Krishna Raya’ in three lines within a double circular border.

This is a complete artistic masterpiece of art!
Well…It is said that after defeating Kondavidu and Gangas, Krishna Deva Raya along with his two wives, Tirumala Devi and Chinnama Devi went to pay a visit to the temple of Balaji. In order to gratify this victory, he ordered to issue coins for a Kanak Abhishek (Shower of Gold) for his most beloved God Vishnu. It is said that the given specimen is one of these specially minted coins and this was sold for INR 27,00,000 in Todywalla Auctions in 2014.