Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple, (Sundararaja
Perumal Temple), Anbil – History
Anbil
had various other names in the past. Some of the names are Mandookapuri,
Brahmapuri, Tirumaalayanthurai and Premapuri. The temple that was built by the
Cholas got the contributions from the Vijayanagara and the Nayakas later. The
inscriptions of Kulottunga Chola I, Rajendra Chola III, Hoysala King Veera
Ramanatha Deva, Vijayanagara King Devaraya Maharaja and many other stone
inscriptions are found in the temple complex.
King Sundara
Chola who ruled the area was a devotee of the temple
and during each of his innumerable victories in wars; he showered a lot of
wealth on this temple. His Prime Minister Aniruddha Brahmarayar is believed to
be from Anbil, the village where the temple is located. The copper plates
having the records from the Chola period from Anbil indicate generous
contribution from the Medieval
Cholas indicate various gifts to the
temple. The Chola generals used to keep their weapons under the feet of Vishnu
in this temple before leaving for the battle.
The
temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment
Board of the Government of Tamilnadu. An Executive officer appointed by the Board manages
the temple along with Srirangam Ranganathaswamy
temple, Pundarikakshan Perumal
Temple at Thiruvellarai, Azhagiya Manavala Perumal
Temple at 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.