the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

It is believed that Chola King Paranthakan had brought some Jaimini Brahmins of Sama Veda to this village in order to recite Saamaveda parayanam in front of the Vinayakar. It is because of this that the idol of Sevi Saitha Vinayakar is also named as Sama Veda Vinayakar. This Vinayakar is also praised as Sri Samakanam Ketta Vinayakar. According to legend, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar was passing through this place and wanted to visit this temple. However, Lord Shiva was keen to test the saint’s devotion and caused heavy floods in the river Cauvery. Since the saint was unable to reach this temple, he sang his song from the other side of the river. The interesting thing to note here that Lord Vinayakar’s reaction to the saint’s song. He bent down to a half-sitting posture, turned his ears to the direction of the sound and enjoyed the hymns with a smile. Hence this Lord Vinayakar is known as Sri Sevi Saitha Vinayakar (Sevi means ear, Saitha means leaning in Tamil). This idol is a masterpiece of this temple’s architecture. The idol of Sri Sevi Saitha Vinayakar can be seen near the Vinayakar shrine in the corridor. This Vinayakar is also known as Ilaya Pillaiyar, meaning young Pillaiyar. Another legend associated with this temple is that Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva here. Hence, Lord Shiva is praised here as Sri Brahmapureeswarar. It is believed that Saint Vageesar also worshiped Lord Shiva here. Hence, Lord Shiva here also praised as Sri Satyavageeswarar. It is believed that Goddess Parvathy, Iyyanar and the Navagraham have worshiped Lord Shiva here.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 57th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.Anbilanthurai is a combination of the name of this village Anbil and the name of this temple Alanthurai. It is believed that this temple was originally a Maada Kovil (a temple built on a raised platform). It was later rebuilt by the Chola King Parantakan-I without the elevated platform. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).In the Navagraham, all the other idols are facing Lord Suryan. The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil). Those suffering from hearing impairment can pray to Lord Vinayakar in this temple for relief.

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Aani Thirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Pradosham is also observed regularly.