Asthrapureeswarar Temple at Aanur, is located at around 13 kms South of Chengalpat.
While going from Chennai, we have to go through the Chenglepat town and after passing the Chengalpat court in the outskirts of the town, we have to go straight towards Pon Vilaintha Kalathur and then further go straight beyond P.V.Kalathur for another 4-5 kms to reach Aanoor which is located on the Eastern bank of Palar river.
Aanoor has 3 ancient temples. The Asthra pureeswarar Shiva temple in dilapidated condition; the Vedha Narayaa Perumal temple, also in dilapidated condition and the Kandhaswamy temple that was renovated recently.
Kootruva Nayanar and Poet Pugazhendhi lived here.
The temple was built by Vijaya Kamba Varma Pallavan during the 7th century whose son Aparajitha Varama Pallavan was defeated by Adhithya Chola I that marked the end of Pallava regime and the beginning of Chola regime. The temple was patronised by the Chola Kings Paranthaka, Rajaraja and Klothunga and the Nayakkars of the Vijayanagara period. The Rajaraja chola period inscription says that there were musical instruments of Padagam, Thimilai, Karadigai, Kalam and Sekandi.
Inscriptions belonging to the 7-8 century Pallava period, 9th century Chola period and the 16th century Vijayanagara period are all can be seen in the same wall side by side, inferring that the stones were rearranged during the last renovation.