Anbil Sathyavaheeswarar Temple is located in Anbilvillage near Lalgudi, about 25 km from Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) in Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated near the sacred Kollidam River and is surrounded by peaceful rural scenery and green fields. The temple is one of the important ancient Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu and attracts devotees seeking spiritual knowledge and divine blessings.
The temple is very ancient and dates back to the 9th century CE, during the rule of the Chola dynasty. The oldest masonry structures of the temple were constructed by the Chola kings, who were great patrons of temple building and Shaivism. Several inscriptions found in the temple mention contributions and renovations by later rulers, including the Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom. Major expansions and additions were made during the 16th century by the Thanjavur Nayaks. These inscriptions provide valuable historical information about temple administration, donations, and religious practices of different periods.
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, worshipped as Sathyavaheeswarar (also called Sathya Vageeswarar), represented in the form of a Shiva Lingam. The Goddess is worshipped as Soundaranayaki Amman. The temple also houses the famous shrine of *Sevi Saitha Vinayagar*, a rare form of Lord Ganesha known for his unique posture of attentive listening. This special Vinayagar shrine makes the temple highly popular among devotees.
The temple displays traditional South Indian temple architecture mainly from the Chola period, with later additions from the Nayak period. The structure includes stone walls, a sanctum for Lord Shiva, separate shrines for Goddess Soundaranayaki and Sevi Saitha Vinayagar, and circumambulatory paths. The temple reflects typical Chola architectural features, including simple yet elegant stone construction, sculptural details, and a well-planned layout. Later architectural additions from the Nayak period enhanced the structure and expanded the complex.
Sevi Saitha Vinayagar is a unique form of Lord Ganesha whose name means “the one who lent or tilted his ear.” The idol is seen with the ear slightly bent as if listening attentively. According to belief, worshipping this form of Ganesha is highly auspicious, especially for devotees seeking wisdom, knowledge, education, and relief from hearing-related problems. Many parents bring their children here to pray for improved speech and learning abilities.
According to the temple legend, the great child saint *Tirugnana Sambandar* visited this temple and sang devotional hymns praising Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesha wished to listen carefully to the divine songs of the saint. He therefore tilted his ear towards Sambandar while listening to the hymns. Because of this event, the deity came to be known as Sevi Saitha Vinayagar. The idol continues to remain in this listening posture, symbolizing divine attention to devotees’ prayers and the importance of hearing sacred knowledge.
Major festivals celebrated in the temple include Maha Shivaratri, Vinayaka Chaturthi, and monthly Pradosham for Lord Shiva. Special poojas and abhishekams are performed during these occasions. Sankatahara Chaturthi for Lord Ganesha is also observed with devotion. During festival days, the temple attracts large numbers of devotees, and the temple atmosphere becomes vibrant with rituals and devotional singing.
