Sathyavageeswarar Temple, TiruAnbil Aalanthurai
Location
TiruAnbil Aalanthurai (present-day Anbil)
Deity
Sathyavageeswarar, Brahmapureeswarar
Female Deity
Soundara Nayaki
Pathikam
Tirunavukkarasar - 1, Sambandar - 1
Gallery – Sathyavageeswarar Temple, TiruAnbilalanthurai
How to Reach
This Shiva Temple is located at Anbil, a historic village situated about 8 kilometers east of Lalgudi and approximately 20 kilometers from Tiruchirappalli (Trichy). The renowned Sundararaja Perumal Temple, one of the sacred 108 Divya Desams, is located in close proximity to this temple. Anbil is well connected by road, and regular bus services are available from both Tiruchirappalli and Lalgudi.
Temple Address
Anbil
Anbil Post
Lalgudi Taluk
Tiruchirappalli District
PIN – 621702
Temple Hours
Morning : 6:00 - 11:00
Evening : 5:00 - 8:00
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
Nearby Divya Desams
Temple Description
Temple Layout & Presiding Deity
The name ‘Anbialanthurai’ for this 132nd Paadal Petra Shivasthalam in Trichy District is derived from the combination of the town name ‘Anbil’ and the temple name ‘Alanthurai’. The temple’s striking architectural centrepiece is its soaring 5-tiered gopuram gateway tower. Inside, in an east-facing sanctum, resides the swayambhu (self-manifested) linga of the presiding deity SathyaVageesar. This deity earned the additional name of BrahmaPureeswarar due to being worshipped by Brahma himself. Within the temple there are sannidhis for Saptha Matha, Bikshadanar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Bhairavar, Muruga, and the nine planetary deities (Navagrahas).
Sevi Saitha Vinayaka – The Listening Ganesha
A unique and beloved idol in this temple is ‘Sevi Saitha Vinayaka’, or the “Ganesha who lent his ear”. The endearing story behind this sculpture relates that when Tirugnanasambandar visited, the Kollidam river was in spate, preventing him from entering the temple. Undeterred, Sambandar stood at a distance and sang a pathikam praising God Shiva. Vinayaka was so delighted by Sambandar’s hymn that he tilted his ear to better hear the distant divine music. A skilled sculptor immortalised this charming scene of Ganesha sitting cross-legged, one foot tucked under, blissfully savouring the song. This marvellous statue can still be admired in the temple today. Anbialanthurai is an especially significant pilgrimage place for those with hearing impairments, who come to seek the blessings of ‘Sevi Saitha Vinayaka’.
Temple History & Inscriptions
The Anbil Copper Plates
Anbil, though diminutive in size, boasts a remarkably rich and storied history that belies its modest stature. It was here that the famous Anbil copper plates were unearthed — a collection of important Chola-era inscriptions, particularly those issued by Sundara Chola, recording land grants and details about services rendered to the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple. The plates are a valuable source of information about Chola administration and history, including the lives of the Chola kings and their interactions with their subjects. Aniruddha Brahmarayar, who was born in this very town, served as a leading minister in the court of the Chola emperor Parantaka II.
Gallery – Sathyavageeswarar Temple, TiruAnbilalanthurai
