Which is the Oldest Shivling in the World - Gudimallam Lingam

Archaeological and epigraphical research indicates that the Gudimallam Lingam, which is one of the oldest Shiva Lingas in the world. Gudimallam Linga is an ancient Shivalinga enshrinsed in Parasuramesvara Temple located in Gudimallam village located near Tirupati city in Andhra Pradesh. 

Gudimallam Lingam - Oldest Shivling in the World

According to scholars, Gudimallam Lingam dates back to 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE. Gudimallam shiva linga is renowned for its unmistakably phallic shape, featuring a prominent relief figure of Lord Shiva carved on the front. The linga is meticulously crafted from a solid, dark brown stone that is indigenous to the area. 

Standing at a height of over 5 feet, its main shaft measures just above a foot in diameter. The glans penis is distinctly set apart from the shaft, showcasing a wider shape and featuring a deep slanting groove that is expertly carved about a foot below the top of the Linga. Interestingly, the garbhagriha, or inner sanctum, takes on an apsidal or semi-circular form, gracefully curving behind the linga.

About Parasurameswara Swamy Temple in Gudimallam

Parasuramesvara Temple in Gudimallam was constructed at a later time compared to the linga. The exact age of the temple is uncertain, but it is generally believed to have been built during the "later Chola and Vijayanagara periods," which could be around a thousand years after the creation of the sculpture. 

It appears that the temple was built to replace earlier structures that existed in the area. Initially, the linga may have been placed outdoors, surrounded by a rectangular stone structure that still exists today, or it could have been housed within a wooden building. Despite its age, the temple is still actively used for worship and has been under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since 1954.

Location of Gudimallam Temple

Gudimallam village is 13 kilometers south-east of Tirupati city. The village is in the Yerpedu mandal of the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. 

The world famous Tirupati Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh is just 43 km (around 1.5 hours drive) away from Gudimallam Sri Parasurameswara Temple. 

Srikalahasti Temple or Srikalahasteeswara Temple, one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams, famous for enshrining Vayu Lingam, is just 34 km from Gudimallam Temple.