 It was erected by a Tamil merchant guild, the "Ayyavole" 500 (“the 500 of the thousand directions”) which enjoyed the patronage of the Chola rulers.The inscription mentions the guild as “having met at the "velapuram" in Varocu”.“Varocu” is Barus, an ancient port located not far from Lobu Tua, which had played a major role in the camphor and benzoin trade since the 9th century.