The ‘Jeernodharana Ashtabandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam’, the maiden consecration ceremony for the ancient Sri Parasurameswara Swamy Devasthanam, began at Gudimallam village near Tirupati on Friday (April 19, 2026).
The five-day event, which will conclude on Thursday (April 23, 2026), brings what is touted as India’s first Shiva temple, now in a defunct state, back into worship mode.
According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the temple dates back to the period between the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C., as confirmed by excavations within the shrine that uncovered the square rail and the ‘Manusha Linga’.
The temple is famous for its unique Linga, which is shaped like an erect penis (Urdhva Retha). The apsidal brick temple over the sanctum sanctorum was built in the 2nd century A.D., during the Satavahana reign.
As the ASI has maintained the structure as a monument for over a century, no religious activities have been allowed, and as such, it has seldom been considered a temple all these years.
