Gudimallam Lingam Temple

Introduction to the Gudimallam Lingam Temple

The Sri Parasurameswara Temple, or Gudimallam Lingam Temple, is in Gudimallam City, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. It is the first Shivalayam in India. This 2600-year-old, world-renowned ancient temple is on the banks of River Swarna Mukhi. The Gudimallam Lingam Temple is a popular pilgrimage destination. The Museum at Chandragiri Fort has abundant information about this temple. The Gudimallam Lingam Temple was under the Department of Archeology till 2009.

Legend of the Gudimallam Lingam Temple

The Gudimallam Lingam Temple is associated with the legend of Sage Parasurama. The sage beheaded his mother at the behest of his father, Rishi Jamadagni. He sought the advice of his Guru to relieve him from the sin of killing his mother. His Guru advised Parasurama to locate the Shiva linga and observe penance as a remedial measure.

As his Guru advised, Sage Parasurama, after much searching, located Gudimallam Shiva linga and dug a pond nearby to observe penance. He noticed the blossoming of a single holy flower daily at the pond. He offered the flower to Gudimallam Shiva Linga.

Sage Parasurama assigned a task to Chitrasena, a Yakshi (celestial servant), to safeguard the Shiva linga. The sage rewarded Yakshi with toddy and a hunting animal to guard her.

One day, Chitrasena offered the holy flower to Shiva. Parasurama, enraged by the Yakshi's act, attacked her with his ax. Chitrasena also retaliated with a severe blow. The fight lasted fourteen years, and a pit formed nearby. From then on, the temple was known as 'Gudipallam,' which means 'the temple at the pit'. Over time, the temple's name changed to 'Gudimallam.'

The Architecture of the Gudimallam Lingam Temple

The Gudimallam Lingam Temple was built and renovated by the Cholas, Pallavas, and Vijayanagara kings in 1126 AD. Many inscriptions mention the perpetual gifts made by several rulers. A Shiva Linga was discovered between the 1st and 2nd century BC. The Gudimallam Lingam Temple is a blend of Chola, Bana, and Pallava architectural styles. The temple Gopuram is at the west entrance. Carvings of Hindu deities adorn the external walls.

Sri Parasurameswara Swamy, the presiding deity, is an incarnation of Shiva facing the east. The sanctum is built with brick and studded with stucco images. The unique feature of the temple is the Gopuram, which, along with the sanctum, is built in the shapes of Gaja Pushti and Shiva Linga.

The prime deity, a monolithic Shiva Linga measuring six feet in height and one foot in diameter, is housed in the sanctum. He is in the form of a hunter in human form. The deity is believed to be a manifestation of the Trimurti, with Brahma at the bottom, Vishnu in the middle, and Shiva at the top. The Shiva Linga in the hunter form is openly set up within the square base surrounded by three low barred railings on slabs. The bana and the Peeta are in the most ancient form. All the remaining structural expansions are the later additions by rulers of various dynasties. The Shiva Linga is made of Navapashaanam.

Sri Parasurameswara Swamy graces from the sanctum as a high-relief idol of a hunter. The idol has broad shoulders, narrow hips, and toned abdominal muscles. The hunter stands in sthanaka posture with widened legs. His feet are firmly planted on Amarapurusha's shoulders, and two arms hang loosely. His right hand holds the dead goat, and his left has a pot and a long ax (parasu). The fierce weapon also rests on his left shoulder. According to some scholars, the idol of the hunter represents the Vedic concept of Rudra.

The Amarapurusha is seated below his feet with a shrunken body. His face shows sharp teeth with leaf-like ears.

The Sun takes the blessings of the Sri Parasurameswara Swamy by focusing his rays on the deity's feet during the transition from Uttarayan to Dakshinayan.

Sri Anandavalli (Parvati), Sri Valli Devasena Subramanya Swamy, and Sri Surya Bhagawan have separate shrines in the courtyard of the Gudimallam Lingam Temple.

The sanctum of the Gudimallam Lingam Temple gets flooded with water from the Swarna Mukhi River every 60 years. It happened last on December 4, 2005.

Festivals in the Gudimallam Lingam Temple

Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri, and Ugadi are grandly celebrated in the Gudimallam Lingam Temple. Devotees from across the city throng here to worship the deity on this occasion.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Gudimallam Lingam Temple

Barren couples and unmarried persons believe that performing Abishekam to Sri Parasurameswara Swamy at this Gudimallam Lingam Temple can bless them with children and marriage.