Parasurameswarar Temple, Gudimallam – Inscriptions

Parasurameswarar Temple, Gudimallam – Inscriptions

There are various inscriptions found on the on the inner walls of the Parasurameswarar Temple and also over stone slabs in the courtyard of the temple. Many of these inscriptions talks about the perpetual gifts made by several South Indian rulers. All these inscriptions have been assigned to the rulers of Ganga, Pallavas, Pallavas, Cholas and Bana dynasty. 

The most ancient inscription of the Parasurameswarar temple is dated to twenty-third regnal year of Nandivarma Pallava III and datable to 802 A.D.  An inscription dated in twenty-fourth regnal year of Nripatunga Varma Pallava records the donation from Vanavidyadhara-Mahabali Vanaraya.  In the 49^th regnal year inscription of Dantivarman (778 - 829 A.D.) speaks about a grant, when the Bana King Vijayaditya I, (796 - 835 AD.) son of Jayanandivarman served vassal / feudatory of Dantivarman Pallava.

The genealogy of Banas of the Perumbanappadi is furnished by the Gudimallam and Udayendiram plates. The latest inscription at the temple is assignable to Yadava Devaraya (AD. 1346). Gudimallam (as well as Kolar) served as the capital of Bana dynasty. An inscription of the time of Vikrama Chola refers to a complete rebuilding of the temple in 1126 AD., along with flat gopura and the wall. Surprisingly none of these inscriptions refer the village name as ‘Gudimallam.’ However, the village is referred to as ‘Viprapita’ i.e., ‘Brahmana Agrahara’ and Lord Shiva represented as fierce hunter.