Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Anbil

Introduction

Sundararaja Perumal Temple is an ancient Vishnu shrine. It is a Divya Desam, considered an especially sacred abode of Vishnu that has been revered in the Divyaprabhandham hymns of the great Azhwar saints of the 6th-9th century CE. The presiding deity is Sundararaja Perumal. He is also called Vadivazhagiya Nambi, as the term Sundararajan translates in Tamil. His consort is Goddess Sundaravalli. This temple is lying on the banks of the Kollidam river, also known as Vada Kaveri, in Anbil village on the outskirts of Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) town in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that the Lord appeared here, for Brahma, the God of creation, and sage Suthaba.

Temple Legends

According to a mythological story, sage Suthaba was performing penance here, underwater, and did not notice sage Durvasa waiting for him on the banks. The short-tempered Durvasa took it as an insult to him and cursed Suthaba to become mendaka, the frog. When Suthaba requested for relief, Durvasa told him that his plight was only due to his sin of the past and that Lord Vishnu would free him of the curse. Suthaba, in his frog form, is said to have continued his intense penance towards Vishnu in the Manduka Theertham tank of the temple. And Vishnu appeared before him as Sundararajan, relieved him of his affliction, and bestowed his blessings on him.

Another legend claims that Lord Brahma, being the creator of all human beings, got overwhelmed by pride, and took himself to be the most handsome person in the universe. On coming to know this, Vishnu cursed Brahma to be born on earth as a human. While Brahma started worshipping Vishnu for relief, Vishnu is said to have appeared before him as a remarkably handsome young man. Wonderstruck with his personality, when Brahma enquired about the brilliant youngster, Vishnu is said to have revealed his true form and conveyed the message that physical appearances are temporary, and what matters is only, being virtuous at heart. Vishnu, the handsome one, is worshipped here as Sundararajan.

The History and Architecture of Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Anbil

The temple is a late 8th-century creation, believed to have been built originally by the medieval Cholas, and expanded later by the Vijayanagar and Nayak kings. There are inscriptions to show the immense contributions made by the Cholas, especially by king Sundara Chola to this temple. His prime minister, Anirudha Brahmarayar, also belonged to Anbil village, which added to the importance that this temple enjoyed during the Chola reign.

The temple, which lies on the Northern banks of river Kollidam, has a 3-tier East-facing Rajagopuram, while the temple complex with its shrines and water bodies is surrounded by a concrete compound wall. Lord Sundararaja Perumal is reclining on his serpent Adisesha and can be worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum with Goddesses Sridevi and Bhoodevi, and Lord Brahma. Vadivazhagiya Nambi, the processional deity, is also present in the sanctum. There are separate shrines for Lakshmi Narasimha, Venugopala, Andal, Hanuman, and the Azhwars. The temple tank is Manduka Theertham. The temple also has many carvings and stucco images.

Temple Festivals

The Tirthavari festival celebrated during Masi (February-March) and Vaikunta Ekadasi observed during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) are among the important festivals of this temple.

Benefits of worshipping Anbil Sundararaja Perumal

People in large numbers worship this Lord, especially for an early and successful marriage. They also offer special worship to Goddess Andal here, for the fulfillment of wishes.