ASI monument -Sri Parusurameswara Swamy Temple, Gudimallam, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India by Kiran Kumar Vemuru

Sri Parasurameswara Swamy Temple, Gudi Mallam is renowned for its earliest extant Sivalinga datable to second/third centuries B.C.The main temple consists an apsidal shrine in low level with ARDHA MANDAPA and MAHAMANDAPA in front, all facing east and each higher than the other.The main entrance to the shrine is however from the south side of the maha mandapa and a walled enclosure is added by an ornamental pillered porch(Dwarapala).The main shrine is closed all round externally by a PERISTYLER CLOISTER. The Vimana over the shrine is of brick, hallow inside and is apsidal on plan,in elevation resembling a linga hence termed as LINGAKRUTHI VIMANA. The snactum has falce ceiling over wodden joints.The stone temple complex is in late PALLAVA/BANA and CHOLA style and good number of inscribed records speak of perpetual gifts made by the kings. The earliest belong to the BANA'S (A feudatory royal family under the late PALLAVA'S, circa 842-904 centuries A.D.) and latest of the time of YADAVA DEVARAYA(A.D.1346). Inscription of the time of VIKRAMACHOLA refers to complete rebulding of the templein1126 A.D. along with gopura and the well.

Source:ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA