Sundararaja Perumal temple

Coordinates: 10°52′N 78°53′E / 10.86°N 78.88°E / 10.86; 78.88
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Sundararaja Perumal Temple
Thiruanbil Temple
Tiruchirapalli
Deity
  • Sundararaja Perumal (Vadivazhagiya Nambi) (Vishnu)
  • Sundaravalli Thayar (Lakshmi)
Features
  • Tower: Tharaga Vimanam
  • Temple tank: Manduka Theertham
Location
LocationTamil Nadu, India
State
Cholas

Thiru Anbil, or Sundararaja Perumal Temple (also called Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple), in Anbil, a village in the outskirts of

Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Sundararajan and his consort Lakshmi
as Sundaravalli.

The temple is believed to have been built by the

Kollidam
.

Sundararajan is believed to have appeared to Brahma (the Hindu god of creation) and sage Sutapa. Six daily rituals and two yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Tirthavari festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Maasi (February–March), is the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

Tharaga Vimanam, the roof over the sanctum

As per Hindu legend, the sage Suthaba was doing penance under water at this place. As such, he did not observe that the sage Durvasa was waiting for him. The irritated Durvasa cursed Suthaba to become a frog (Mendaka). Suthaba requested Durvasa to relieve him of the curse. Durvasa explained to him that the curse was on account of the sin he had committed in his previous birth and the god Vishnu would free him. Suthaba, as a frog, continued his penance under water in the Mendaka Theertham in the temple and Vishnu appeared to him as Sundararajan.[1]

As per another legend, the Hindu god of creation Brahma believed that he was the most handsome individual in the world as he created all the human beings. Vishnu learned this and cursed Brahma to be born as an earthly being. Brahma worshiped Vishnu for deliverance from the curse. Vishnu appeared as a handsome young man in front of him. Awed by the Vishnu's personality, Brahma inquired about him. Vishnu revealed his true form and conveyed to Brahma that physical appearance is temporary and one has to be good by heart.[1][2]

History and administration

The temple is located on the Northern bank of the river

Medieval Cholas.[1] The temple inscriptions indicate the legend of Vishnu appearing before sage Valmiki at this place.[3]

The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the

Woraiyur and Mariamman Temple at Anbil. Annadhanam scheme, which provides free food to devotees, is implemented in the temple by the Board. Under the scheme, free food is offered to hundred devotees every day in the temple and the expenditure is fully funded by the contributions from devotees.[4]

Architecture

The main entrance of the temple faces the east and has a 3-tiered

Alvars, Narasimha, Venugoplar, Lakshmi Narasimha (Lakshmi with Narasimha) and Hanuman. The structure of the roof over the sanctum is in the form of a gopuram, which is usually a feature in gateway tower. The front hall of the sanctum has a shrine for Andal in standing posture and has her bronze image in seated posture.[1]

Religious significance

The temple mast found at the entrance of the temple

The temple is revered in

Tiruppernagar, Anbil and Tirupparkadal are mentioned. The temple is thronged by devotees praying for marriage. Special ablution is also performed for Andal seeking their wishes.[1]

Festival and religious practises

The temple priests perform the

Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) are the major festivals celebrated in the temple.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Sri Sundararaja Perumal temple". Dinamalar. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  2. ISBN 9788120601512
    .
  3. ^ R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 443–4.
  4. ISSN 2231-5063
    . Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  5. ^ T., Bhashyam Ramanujadasan (2009). Nalayira Divya Prabandam (in Tamil) (6th ed.). Chennai: Sri Vaishnava Peravai.
  6. ^ "An NGO does its bit for god - and humanity". New Delhi, India: Hindustan Times. 29 April 2007. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.

External links

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