Most of the writing was done on palm leaves in South India. First of all the leaves were plucked and dried in the shade and then kept hanging in the kitchen for several days to soften. Then, for the purpose of making a plane for writing on the leaves, they were rubbed on the stones very well. Later, writing was done by punching holes in the leaves with a pointed iron. Later carbon ink was rubbed on it. This filled the hole with carbon and thus the writing became visible. Efforts were also made to protect the leaves from insects and not to release carbon.
Manuscripts found on palm leaves are older than the 8th century. In 1700-1800, most of the records of the British period are found on palm leaves only.
According to an article published in Dainik Jagran, the manuscript ‘Sri Sutra’ written on a palm leaf bearing the seal of the Archaeological Department is about 475 years old. Similarly, the theology of Tamil language written on palm leaves with the point of a needle is about 600 years old. Buddhist stories written in Kannada amaze, while in their treasury there is a wonderful world of manuscripts decorated on palm leaves related to Sanatan, Dharmashastra, Jain Shastra, Astrology and Ayurveda. Some of the texts written on palm leaves decorated in these ancient heritage are inexplicable and understanding and explaining about them is also a huge task.
According to an article published in News18, there is one such 200-year-old document written on palm leaves in Ghatsila, Jharkhand. The ancient book Mahabharata written on palm leaves in Ghatshila is still safe. The story of Mahabharata written on palm leaves is originally in Oriya language, which has been kept very carefully by this priestly family. The language engraved on these palm letters can be easily read even today. This 200-year-old scripture has been preserved by the family of priest Ashit Panda for five generations. Ashit tells that this book is read daily only after worship.
Jagannath Puri from brought Gone Was it treatise
The family of Ashit Panda, a priest of Mahuldangari village of Baharagoda block of Ghatshila, has preserved the Mahabharata written on a palm leaf 200 years ago. Ashit Panda told that his family narrates the story of Mahabharata to people on special occasions. He said that his forefathers had brought Mahabharata Granth written on palm leaves from Jagannathpuri Dham. This book has been written on palm leaf with black ink prepared from the juice of many wild leaves and fruits. Its writing is still the same even after 200 years. It is completely in Oriya language. Even today it is completely safe with this priest’s family.