Gudimallam Sri Parasurameswara Temple Yerpedu Mandalam, Andhra Pradesh

Address

Gudimallam Sri Parasurameswara Temple Yerpedu Mandalam, Papanaidupet – Gudimallam Rd, Andhra Pradesh 517526

Diety

Sri Parasurameswara

Introduction

Gudimallam is a Small Village located in yerpedu mandal in Sri Kalahasti Mandal in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is about 7 miles away from Renigunta Railway Station Junction. The significance of the temple lies in the Lings that are housed in the Garbagriha of the temple. The Linga is said to have been discovered in the 1st century BC. The Linga depicts the true nature of a Shiva linga, with the human form carved well within the limits of the linga. The floor of the sanctum is at a low level compared to the floor level of the Antarala and Mukhamantapa. There is also an interesting tale to tell that Gudimallam Shivalingam is believed to be a manifestation of the Trimurtis, with Brahma at the bottom, Vishnu in the middle and Shiva on top.

Puranic Significance

Gudimallam Sri Parusurameswara Swamy Temple is the First Shivalay in India. Sri Parusurameswara Swamy Temple in Gudimallam is a 2600 year old world renowned ancient temple located on the banks of River Swarna Mukhi. The temple ornate the elegance in single-stone (Eka-Sila) statue which portrays “Thri-Murthies”‘ Lord Brahma’ in Yaksha Roopam, ‘Lord Vishnu’ in Parasurama Avataram and ‘Lord Shiva’ in Purusha Linga akaaram. The magnificence of the temple lies in the structure of Sanctum Sanctorum and the Gopuram, built in the shapes of ‘Shiva Lingam’ and ‘Gaja Pushti’ respectively. The temple called Parasurameswaraalayam was built on the banks of Suvaranamukhi river. There is a fascinating tale about this place. It runs once there was a devotee by name Parasurameswara, who was worshipping Lord Siva regularly with exceptional ardor using flowers grown in his tank nearby. The flowers were odd in shape and colours-And grand to look at. The Lord was pleased and conferred bliss on him. Seeing this unseen, a demon Chitra (Lord Brahma) one day ventured to pluck all the flowers and offered to Siva. Finding the transgression grievous, the pious Sivabhakta entered into a fierce boxing bout with the demon. When the vanquished demon was about to be crushed, Lord Siva appeared and blessed the both with their desire of Sayujyamukti – merging in Him The Main Deity of the Temple is located 6.0” below the ground level, as such the village is termed as ‘Gudipallam’ and later on, by the passage of time, it became Gudimallam. It is believed that once in 60-years the waters of River Swarnamukhi touch the Main Deity. Innumerable pilgrims witnessed the happening, in the recent past, on the 4th of December, 2005. The Most Incredible occurrence in the temple is that the Sun takes the blessings of the Main Deity by focusing his rays on Lord’s feet during the transition from Northernly-path (Utharayanam) to Southernly-path (Dakshinayanam). The premise of the Temple is fortified with Sri Anandavalli (Parvathi Matha), Sri Valli Devasena Subramnay Swamy, Lord Surya Bhagawan Temples.

Beliefs

As the temple is believed famous for fulfilling the healthful wishes of the disciples, innumerable devotees are visiting the temple and privileged with the blessings of the Lord, Parasurameswara Swamy. People suffering from the problems like delay in marriage & Childless couples can be relieved from these issues by performing Swamy Abhishekam.

Special Features

The Linga depicts the true nature of a Shiva linga, with the human form carved well within the limits of the linga. it has a very early linga that is anatomically phallic in shape, with a full-length standing relief figure of Lakulisa, the ascetic manifestation of Shiva, on the front. Lakulisa as an ascetic manifestation of Shiva is seen in later peninsular Indian sculpture.