 An inscription on the pillar in front of Gandhavarna Basadi commemorates Indraraja, the grandson of the Rashtrakuta King Krishna III, who died in 982 after observing the vow.The inscriptions in South India suggest "sallekhana" was originally an ascetic practice which later extended to Jain householders.Its importance as an ideal death in the spiritual life of householders ceased by about the 12th century.