Sri Parasurameswara Swamy Devasthanam, Gudimallam in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh.

12^th May 2019.

It was a long wish to visit the Sri Parasurameswara Shiva Temple at Gudimallam, in the Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh which has the earliest Shiva Linga belongs to the 2^nd Century BC. Thanks to Mr Manoj for organizing this Visit. In addition to this temple, we had been to  Appalayagunta, Nagalapuram, Narayanavanam Vishnu temples and Ramagiri Sri Kala Bhairava & Sri Valeeswarar Temple and Sri Pallikondeswarar Temple at Surutapalli.

Moolavar    : Sri Parasurameswara Swamy

Consort       : Sri Anandavalli / Sri Parvati.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with an entrance to Rajagopuram base on the west on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River. The Tamil inscription tablets are installed (in the outer praharam) on the right immediately after the entrance. In the outer praharam sannadhi for Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Sri Anandavalli, Suryan (life-size), balipeedam, dwajasthambam, and Rishabam.

ARCHITECTURE

An open mandapa is at the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum on the south side. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a simple pada bandha adhistanam with 3 patta kumudam. The Bhitti starts with Vedhika. Vishnu kantha pilasters are on the Bhitti with Kalasam, Kudam, mandi, palakai. The sanctum sanctorum consists of an apsidal sanctum (semi-circular shape), antarala, and ardha mandapam. 

 

 adhistanam- moat form

MOOLAVAR SHIVA LINGAM DETAILS

As per the leaflet issued by the temple, the Moolavar  is 7 feet tall and represents “Thiri-Murtis” – “Lord Brahma” in the yaksha roopam, “Lord Vishnu” in Parasurama avatar and “Lord Shiva” in Purusha Linga avatar.  

Explanation of the relief on Shiva Linga: The relief on the Linga facing front is Standing Shiva with two hands. The right hand holds a ram by the hind legs, with the head hanging downwards.  The left hand holds a globular pot and an Axe (parasu – used in the battlefield), which rests on the left shoulder. The Shiva Linga is installed within a pair of stone rings. Lord Shiva is standing on the shoulders of a crouching dwarf yaksha, who is seated on his knees. Ornaments are shown on the neck, ears, and hands. The hairstyle seems to be Pallava style.  The above details may be seen during abhishekam only and the rest of the time Shiva Linga will be completely covered with flowers and garlands.

 Moolavar with decoration

Moolavar ( PC - Web site )

The sanctum is about 4 feet below the Antarala. Due to this, the village was called Gudipallam, which got corrupted to the present name of Gudimallam. It is believed that Swarnamukhi river water touches the moolavar once in 60 years and it last happened on 4^th Dec 2005.

A Stucco Gajabirushta Vimanam is over the sanctum. The space between the sanctum and the praharam forms a moat.  The sun's rays fall on moolavar during the Sun’s movement from Uttarayanam to Dakshinayanam ie. North to South.

Apart from regular poojas Abhishekam to Sri Anandavalli goddess will be done every Friday between 8.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs followed by Kunguma archana from 10.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs.  The problem of delay in marriage and childlessness will be relieved by performing Swamy Abhishekam.

Anandavalli Ambal shrine

HISTORY& INSCRIPTIONS:

The sanctum walls and the adhisthana bear  the inscriptions of Pallavas /Banas (842 to 904 CE)/Chozha  and Vijayanagara (Yadavaraya 1346 CE) period and mention Shiva as Parasurameswara. The inscriptions mainly speak about donations/gifts made to this temple in terms of money, Cow towards the functioning of regular poojas, and burning of perpetual Lamps. During Vikrama Chozha period 1126 CE the old temple was reconstructed. The temple is being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

 Inscriptions

Inscription stones 

 Pillar with inscriptions

LEGENDS
The legend of this temple is connected to Parasurama, an avatar or the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs continuously.

CONTACT DETAILS

The following mobile numbers +919490181917 and +919030029200 may be contacted for further details.
Temple website: http://www.gudimallamtemple.com/index.php

HOW TO REACH

Gudimallam is about 20 km from Tirupati and direct buses are limited.

Gudimallam is about 3.6 km from Papanaidupet and frequent buses are available from Renigunta up to Papanaidupet which is about 10 km.  

Share autos are available from Papanaidupet.

The nearest Railway station is Renigunta.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

 Mukha mandapam

 Subramaniar Sannathi

Loose sculpture - Jyeshta Devi - Thavvai

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---