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Gudimallam Parasurameswara Temple

Gudimallam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Lord Shiva
More in Andhra Pradesh

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Shiva

Pincode

517506

One of the oldest Shiva temples in India, housing an extraordinarily ancient Shivalinga (estimated 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE) — carved from solid granite with Shiva standing atop the water demon Apasmarapurusha. The lingam's artistry is considered the highest point of early Indian sculpture.

History & Significance

History

The Parasurameswara Temple at Gudimallam has one of the earliest surviving Shivalingas in existence, dated between 200 BCE–100 CE by archaeologists. Unusually, the lingam shows Shiva in a naturalistic standing posture rather than the abstract cylindrical form seen in most temples. Gudimallam was an important religious centre during the Pallava period.

Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.

Vishnu

The largest temple in Tirupati town (not on Tirumala hill), dedicated to Lord Govindaraja (Vishnu reclining). The Chola king Kulottunga II is credited with building this magnificent 12th-century temple. The idol of Govindaraja reclining on Adishesha is one of the finest Vishnu sculptures in the Deccan.

Govindarajaswamy Temple

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh8 km
Lord Vishnu

Padmavathi

The principal shrine of Goddess Padmavathi (Lakshmi), consort of Lord Venkateswara. Almost every pilgrim to Tirupati visits this temple first. The 3rd-century CE idol of the Goddess in golden splendour is extraordinarily beautiful. Managed by TTD.

Padmavathi Devi Temple

Tiruchanur, Andhra Pradesh9 km
Goddess Padmavathi
Tirumala Tirupati Temple

One of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, atop the Tirumala hills. Millions of devotees offer their hair here in the ritual of tonsure, and the temple's laddu prasadam, made under a Geographical Indication-protected recipe, is among India's most famous temple offerings.

Tirumala Tirupati Temple

Tirumala Tirupati Temple

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh11 km
Lord Venkateswara

Shiva

A Shiva temple at the base of the Tirumala Hills where a natural waterfall (the only waterfall on the Tirumala range) cascades into a sacred tank. Sage Kapila is said to have worshipped Shiva here. Many Tirupati pilgrims bathe here before ascending Tirumala.

Kapila Theertham Shiva Temple

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh12 km
Lord Shiva