Chavundaraya II, a Shaiva Brahmin (Brahmin devotee of the god Shiva) by faith and a protege of King Jayasimha II, wrote "Lokopakara" (c. 1025) in the "champu" metre. It is the earliest available encyclopaedia in the Kannada language, written at times with a poetic touch. It comprises twelve chapters and has found popularity in later references as well. The work is on various topics such as daily life, astronomy, astrology and forecasting of events based on the Indian calendar ("panchanga phala"), sculpture, construction of buildings ("vastu vichara") and reservoirs ("udakargala"), omens, divination of water, preparation of medicine from herbs and plants ("vrikshayurveda"), general medicine ("vaidya"), perfumery, cookery and toxicology ("vishavaidya"). Mentioned in this book is the popular South Indian dish Idli and its preparation by soaking Urad dal (black gram) in butter milk, grinding it to a fine paste, and mixing with spices and the clear water of curd.