Anbil Brahmapureeswarar Temple

Anbil Brahmapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu Shiva temple located in Anbil village, Lalgudi taluk, Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, on the southern bank of the Kollidam River. Dedicated to Brahmapureeswarar and goddess Poonkuzhalal, it is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams praised in 7th-century Tevaram hymns. The temple features Dravidian architecture, Chola-era inscriptions and a five-tiered rajagopuram, attracting pilgrims and heritage visitors.

Visitors can expect a traditional Dravidian temple complex on the Kollidam River bank with a five-tiered rajagopuram, pillared mandapas, stone inscriptions and shrines for Brahmapureeswarar and Poonkuzhalal. The inner sanctum, Nandi mandapa and surrounding prakaram can be explored on foot. The setting is a quiet village environment with ritual worship, oil lamps and devotional music during puja times.

The temple is an ancient Shiva shrine praised in 7th-century Tamil Saivite Tevaram hymns by Tirugnana Sambandar and Appar, classifying it as a Paadal Petra Sthalam. Inscriptions and architectural style indicate patronage by Medieval Cholas with later contributions. It is traditionally known as Anbil Alanthurai, where Brahma is believed to have worshipped Shiva.

As a Paadal Petra Sthalam, the temple holds importance for Tamil Shaivites and is part of pilgrimage circuits in the Tiruchirappalli region. The presiding deity Brahmapureeswarar and goddess Poonkuzhalal are central to local religious practices, festivals such as Maha Shivaratri and daily Shaiva rituals.