This is the 111th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 57th Sthalam on the northern side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place is called as ANBIL ( Anbil – has three parts mel – Middle – Keel and this temple is in Keelanbil.). The temple Anbilanthurai, is the combination of names, the place Anbil and Alanthurai. The Aniruddha Brahmarayar, the Prime minister to Sundara Chozha belongs to this place. The famous “Anbil cheppedu”, which gave the history of Chozhas was discovered from this place.
In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirukkanur.
அதன் மருங்கு கடந்து அருளால் திருக்கானூர் பணிந்து ஏத்தி ஆன்ற சைவமுதல் மறையோர் அன்பில் ஆலந்துறையின் முன்னவனைத் தொழுது போற்றிப்பதம் நிறை செந்தமிழ்பாடிச் சடைமுடியார் பயில்பதியும் பணிந்து பாடிமதகரட வரை உரித்தார் வடகரை மாந் துறை அணைந்தார் மணிநூல் மார்பர்
Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamikal & Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
கணைநீடு எரிமால் அரவம் வரைவில்லாஇணையா எயில்மூன் றும்எரித் தஇறைவர்பிணைமா மயிலும் குயில்சேர் மட அன்னம்அணையும் பொழிலஅன் பில்ஆலந் துறயாரே........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர்நுணங்கு நூலயன் மாலும் இருவரும்பிணங்கி எங்கும் திரிந்தெய்த்தும் காண்கிலாஅணங்கன் எம்பிரான் அன்பில் ஆலந்துறைவணங்கும் நும்வினை மாய்ந்தறும் வண்ணமே.......திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் --நானூறுகோலந் துறைகொண்ட கோவயருள் கோவைமகிழ் ஆலந்துறையின் அணி முத்தே....... திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Sathyavageeswarar, Sri Bramapureeswarar, Sri AlanthuraiyarConsort : Sri Soundara Nayaki
Some of the important features of this temple are....The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Moolavar is of Swayambhu on a square avudayar. The outer sanctum is of moat/ akazhi type. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu with Surya and Chandra on both sides, Brahma and Durgai.
In the prakaram Ambal is in a separate sannadhi. In the inner prakaram Chevi saitha Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Vishwanatha Linga & Visalakshi, Lingothbavar, Pichadanar, Bhairavar, Shaniswarar, Nalvar, Saptamatrikas, Nataraja Sabha, and Chandikeswarar. Navagrahas are in the outer prakaram. All the Navagrahas are facing Sun.
ARCHITECTUREThe sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and Artha mandapam. A vesara Vimana is on the sanctum. There are many sculptures on the front mandapa pillars, may be Nagarathar thirupani. Some of them are, Two snakes worshiping Shiva, Snake tail on one side and head on the other side of the pillar, and Sarbamandalam etc,.The walls of the arthamanda has the bas-reliefs of Vishnu Brahma, Parvati, Agni, Surya and Chandra worshiping Lord Shiva.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThe original temple was of a madakoil may be built by Kochengat Chozha, rebuilt during Parantaka Chozha-I period with stone.From the inscriptions, the middle entrance might have been built during 10th to 12th century. The Temple might have been rebuilt at a latter stage by, Hoysalas and Nattukottai Nagarathar.
This place Anbil was in Rajaraja valanattu Kilarkootrathu ( Kalarkootrathu ), Vadakarai Rajaraja valanattu Kilarkootrathu Anbil and Lord Shiva was called as Anbiludayar, Thiruvalanthurai Udayanayanar.
The Pandya King Kobanmar Thiribhuvana Chakravarthi Kulasekara Thevar’s 3+1 reign year inscription records that Housing plots are sold to this temple’s Devaradiyar Kaikolars, by Thiripanezhi Mudaliyar. This inscription also mentions some of the exempted housing plots ( inscription was damaged in many portions ).
The Pandya King Kobanmar Thiribhuvana Chakravarthi Kulasekara Thevar’s 11th reign year inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam by Aachiraman Kulothunga Pallavarayar of Kaikola mudaliar caste, for which 3 ma land was gifted to the temple after purchase.
Rajendra Chozha-I’s 4th reign year inscription records the endowment of poojas and Naivedyam for the newly established Adhi Chandeswarar ( which was damaged...? ), by the Anbil perunkuri sabhai. For the same land of 280 kalam ( 5 ma ) was donated.
The Hoysala king Vira Ramanathan’s 8th reign year inscription, records the endowment of pooja, Naivedyam and Suryathevan nandhavanam by Vadavazhinattu Uthungathungavalanattu Kundrakootrathu Cheruvidai mangalamudayan Periyan Thazhi Pandyarayan for which a land was bought and gifted to this temple after converting to cultivable land.The Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 9th May 2004.
LEGENDS“Sevi saitha Vinayagar” –( செவி சாய்த்த வினாயகர் ) is seen in hearing posture with head turned to receive the hymns of Thirugnanasambandar and he is also called as ‘Samaveda Vinayagar’, since Jaimini families were migrated during Rajaraja period. They had done samaveda parayanam in front of Vinayagar.
There is also another version that during Thirugnanasambandar’s visit, he has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva from other bank of River Kollidam. Since the sound was very low, Vinayagar leaned his head and ear to hear the hymns.
Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, hence Lord Shiva is called as Brahmapureeswarar. Since sage Vageesar also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, is called as Sathyavageeswarar.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri in Masi ( Feb – March), Margazhi Thiruvathirai ( Dec – Jan ) and Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni ( March – April ).
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS :Land line number +91 431 254 4927 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH : Town buses are available from Trichy Chatram bus stand and Lalgudi. The Temple is About 3 KM from Mandurai, 9 KM from Lalgudi, 27 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, 30 KM from Tiruchirapalli, 39 KM from Thanjavur and 323 KM from Chennai.The nearest Railway station is Lalgudi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Sarpamandalam 
Pillar relief - snake's tail on one side and head on the other side
Inscriptions--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
கோலந் துறைகொண்ட கோவயருள் கோவைமகிழ்
Moolavar : Sri Sathyavageeswarar, Sri Bramapureeswarar,
Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, hence Lord Shiva is called as Brahmapureeswarar. Since sage Vageesar also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, is called as Sathyavageeswarar.
Sarpamandalam
Pillar relief - snake's tail on one side and head on the other side
Inscriptions
