Mingling of Cultures (G): The Pāṇḍuvaṃśīs

Pāṇḍuvaṃśī kings generally followed Brahmanical traditions, although they were also tolerant towards Buddhism. Nānnarājā I was probably a Śaivite, as Sirpur stone inscription of his descendant Bālārjuna states that he covered the earth with Śiva temples.^[1]

Sirpur was the capital of this dynasty. It has been significant for its temples. We came across this name several times in our study, which is an important archeological site on the banks of the river Mahānadī mentioned in ancient Indian texts and inscriptions.

King Tivaradeva was a Vaiṣṇavite, as evident by his title Parama-Vaiṣṇava in Bondā Plates of Mahāśiva-Tivara (c. 60s0 CE)^[2] issued by him. The inscription records that the village Bondaka has been granted to the twenty-five brāhmaṇas who belonged severally to Yajurveda and Sāmaveda to increase the religious merit of his parents and himself. Another inscription issued by him titled as Baloda Plates of Tivaradeva (c. 600 CE)^[3] records another grant for the feeding of the brāhmaṇas and others.