Gudimallam, a beautiful village in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, lies near Tirupati city. The village is famous for the Parasurameswara Temple, which may house one of the oldest representations of Shiva Linga in India. This temple, believed to be over 2,000 years old, offers valuable insights into the worship practices and artistic expressions of the people during that time.
History and Importance of Gudimallam Temple
The Gudimallam Temple features a unique Shiva Lingam, carved during the Satavahana period around the 3rd century BCE. As a result, it is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in South India and possibly one of the first.
What sets this Shiva Lingam apart is its carving, which shows Lord Shiva standing with a trident and a pot for drawing water. This early artistic effort to depict gods reflects the cultural and artistic challenges faced by the people of that time.
Temple Structure and Changes at Parasurameswara Temple
The Parasurameswara Temple is relatively small and simple in design, which reflects the early methods of temple construction used in South India. Over the centuries, various rulers, including the Pallavas, Cholas, and those from the Vijayanagara Empire, contributed to the temple’s development. Each ruler made modifications, incorporating architectural styles from their respective periods and blending different influences into the temple’s structure.
Old Writings and Art
There are many writings and carvings inside the temple; most of them are dated back to the old ages. Among these are from the Pallava kings, which proves that the temple was an important place for many centuries. Such carvings help provide information about how people lived, how they worshipped, and what they thought or believed in those early ages. There can be no doubt that Gudimallam was a centre of pilgrimage and festivals.
A Sacred Place Today
Till date, Gudimallam has its significance among those devotees who believe in Lord Shiva. People that visit get to see the old Lingam and even make a prayer or two. In the present time, today, Gudimallam is protected as a heritage site, meaning it’s taken care of because of its great historical and spiritual value.
