According to the deed, a lake was built in the area in memory of one Yankubi, son of Kumbara Ponnayya, for irrigation. It had three lovely figures a wheel of eight swords, a cow and a calf, which are the symbols of Shaivism, researchers said in a press release here today.

The area was a big city prior to the Vijaynagara period. Now there are many dry lakes in the area. The deed further stands testimony to the popularity of Shaivism as borne out from the symbols engraved on it, the release said.The deed, measuring four ft x three ft, stood facing the North with a four-line script in Halegannada.