TIRUVANNAMALAI: An inscription, over 1,100 years old, was found at the Sri Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai . The inscription, according to archaeologists, is believed to be the second oldest found in the temple.A member of the Tiruvannamalai Heritage Foundation, a forum working on the documentation, conservation and awareness of the environment and heritage of Tiruvannamalai district, found the inscription on the floor of the third prakaram of the temple recently.The oldest inscription found in the temple dates back to 885 AD. It was recorded by the Archaeological department in 19th century, Raj Panneerselvam of the Foundation told TOI.This inscription dates back to 890 AD, he said, adding, “It was written during the 19th year of Aditya 1 Chola’s (871 AD to 911 AD) reign. It is 1,125 years old. The archaeological department and temple administration should take necessary steps to preserve the inscription.”Inscriptions are usually found on the wall in chronological order, but this one was found on the floor near the kalyana mandapam on the premises of the temple.“The inscription strengthens the theory that the temple was renovated a few centuries ago. The inscription was dismantled and discarded due to poor renovation (Thirupani) work,” he said.Confirming that the seven line inscription belonged to the Chola-Pallava transition period, a retired archaeologist of Tamil Nadu Archaeological department said that the name of Bana chieftain, Vayirameganar, one of the titles of the Pallava King, was mentioned in the inscription. It also indicated that Tiruvannamalai was then known as ‘Tiruvanna Naattu’ and it was one of the Sathurvethi mangalam.“It stated that 20 gold coins were donated for maintaining a water body there. Five gold coins collected as interest per year should be used for welfare measure. Later part of the inscription is missing and it is not clear who donated them,” said the archaeologist.