Sundararaja Perumal temple

The Sundararaja Perumal Temple, also known as Thiru Anbil or Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple, is a significant Hindu temple situated in the village of Anbil, on the outskirts of Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, South India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is primarily worshipped here as Sundararajan, with his consort Lakshmi revered as Sundaravalli. The temple is a celebrated example of Dravidian architecture and holds a prominent place in early medieval Tamil religious literature, particularly in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a canon compiled by the Alvar saints.

History and Construction

Historical accounts suggest that the temple's construction began with contributions from the Medieval Cholas, dating back to the late 8th century CE. Further patronage and expansion of the temple were undertaken by rulers from the Vijayanagara Empire and the Madurai Nayaks. Copper plate inscriptions found in Anbil indicate substantial donations made by the Chola kings, underscoring their support for the temple. The temple complex is enclosed by a granite wall, safeguarding its various shrines and water bodies.

Religious Significance and Legends

The Sundararaja Perumal Temple is recognized as one of the 108 Divya Desams, a collection of sacred abodes dedicated to Lord Vishnu that are highly revered by Vaishnavites. It is particularly mentioned in verses that group together seven shrines where Vishnu is depicted in a reclining position. The temple is also a place where devotees often visit to pray for marriage. Legends associated with the temple include the story of sage Sutapa being cursed to become a frog and subsequently being liberated by Vishnu's appearance as Sundararajan, and another tale where Vishnu appears as a handsome youth to Brahma to impart wisdom about inner beauty over external appearance.

Architecture and Daily Practices

The temple's main entrance faces east and is marked by a 3-tiered rajagopuram. The central shrine houses the image of the presiding deity, Sundararaja Perumal, in a reclining posture atop the divine serpent Adisesha. The sanctum also includes images of his consorts, Sridevi (Lakshmi) and Bhudevi, as well as Brahma. The temple precinct contains shrines for the twelve Alvars, Narasimha, Venugoplar, Lakshmi Narasimha, and Hanuman. The roof structure over the sanctum itself resembles a gopuram. The temple is managed by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu, which oversees six daily rituals and two annual festivals.

Festivals and Worship

Six daily rituals are performed at the temple, involving decoration, food offerings, and waving of lamps for both Sundararajan and Sundaravalli. These rituals are accompanied by traditional music and recitations from the Vedas. Weekly, monthly, and fortnightly rituals are also observed. The most significant annual festival is the Tirthavari festival, celebrated in the Tamil month of Maasi (February–March). Vaikuntha Ekadashi, observed in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January), is another major event. The temple also implements an Annadhanam scheme, providing free meals to devotees daily, funded by contributions.