Volume VI, Issue 1
Author: Vidya Raman
Editor’s Note: Read this brief account of a special temple located in Srivilliputhur. The temple is dedicated to Andal, the only female Alwar among the twelve Vaishnava poet-saints of South India. Believed to be an Avatar of Ma Lakshmi, Andal was a great devotee of Sri Vishnu. We open with a small passage by Sri Aurobindo on Andal. He translated three of her poems into English.
Sri Aurobindo on Andal, The Vaishnava Poetess
The Tamil word, Alwar, means one who has drowned, lost himself in the sea of the divine being. Among these canonised saints of Southern Vaishnavism ranks Vishnuchitta, Yogin and poet, of Villipattan in the land of the Pandyas. He is termed Perialwar, the great Alwar….
The poetess Andal was the foster-daughter of Vishnuchitta, found by him, it is said, a new-born child under the sacred tulsi-plant. We know little of Andal except what we can gather from a few legends, some of them richly beautiful and symbolic. Most of Vishnuchitta’s poems have the infancy and boyhood of Krishna for their subject. Andal, brought up in that atmosphere, cast into the mould of her life what her foster-father had sung in inspired hymns.
Her own poetry—we may suppose that she passed early into the Light towards which she yearned, for it is small in bulk,—is entirely occupied with her passion for the divine Being. It is said that she went through a symbolic marriage with Sri Ranganatha, Vishnu in his temple at Srirangam, and disappeared into the image of her Lord. This tradition probably conceals some actual fact, for Andal’s marriage with the Lord is still celebrated annually with considerable pomp and ceremony.
A Divine Abode of Devotion
The Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, also known as Nachiyar Thirumaligai, is one of the most significant and revered temples in Tamil Nadu. It holds the unique distinction of being the birthplace of Sri Andal, the only female Alvar saint of the Vaishnavite tradition. Andal’s sanctum is the heart of this temple, and her divine presence is celebrated with unparalleled devotion and grandeur.
The temple is renowned for its daily ritual of adorning the utsava mūrti (processional deity) of Sri Andal with fresh flowers and pachchai ilai (green leaves). This practice, known as kili saatruthal, is a living symbol of people’s devotion and the temple’s meticulous adherence to tradition.
Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is an important icon of Tamil Nadu’s Heritage. Its towering gopuram (gateway tower) serves as the official emblem of the Tamil Nadu Government. It symbolises the state’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage and is featured on all books printed by the Tamil Nadu Education Department.
Sri Andal’s Divine Presence
The 21-day-long festival during the Tamil month of Margazhi is a sacred festival for the devotees of Lord Vishnu. The first ten days of this festival are known by the name Pagal Pathu. And the second half of the ten days is called as Raa Pathu.
The Srivilliputhur temple is famous for its unique festive traditions. On the first day of Pagal Pathu, Sri Andal graces the devotees along with Sri Rangamannar as a divine couple. Sri Ramanuja, the revered Vaishnavite saint, is believed by the devotees to be Andal’s elder brother. He is lovingly referred to as Kovil Annan.
During the Raapathu Utsavam, Andal takes centrestage. She is flanked by Sri Rangamannar and Periya Perumal, showcasing her significance as the temple’s central deity. A unique tradition in this temple is that there is no separate shrine for Garuda, the celestial mount of Lord Vishnu. However, it is said that Vishnuchitta Periyalvar himself is an incarnation of Garuda, serving the divine couple.
The Enchanting Margazhi Festival
The Margazhi month is synonymous with devotion, and Andal’s Tiruppavai is the core of this sacred observance. The Tiruppavai is a devotional poetic work consisting of thirty stanzas referred to as pasurams in praise of Perumal. As a part of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of the works of the twelve Alvars, it is an important work in the Tamil devotional literature.
The Ennai Kaapu Utsavam during Margazhi is a visual and spiritual treat for devotees. The Mookkuthi Sevai (nose ring festival) on the sixth day is particularly famous. The Koodarai Pasuram, which celebrates Andal’s uniting with Lord Vishnu, is observed on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai. At other Divyadesams it is celebrated on the same day as the pasuram’s recital.
On the culmination of the Margazhi Nonbu (penance), the first day of Thai is marked by the preparation of akkara adisil, a sweet offering made as prasadam for Sri Andal. The temple’s grand Thiruvadipooram Brahmotsavam is another highlight, featuring the majestic Therottam (chariot festival) that draws thousands of devotees.
Sacred Connections to Other Temples
The garlands used to adorn Sri Andal in Srivilliputhur are sent as a special offering to other important Vishnu temples. These include: Thirumalai Tirupati, Kallazhagar Temple, and Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. These divine garlands, graced by Andal’s presence, hold special significance and are adorned on the deities at these temples.
The Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is not just a place of worship but a vibrant centre of spirituality, art, and culture, drawing devotees from all corners of the world. It stands as a beacon of Sri Andal’s unparalleled devotion to Lord Vishnu, inspiring generations to embrace love, devotion, and divine service.
Also read:
Mystery-Miracle-Magic of Halebidu and Belur
About the author:
Vidya Raman works at Sri Aurobindo Society in areas related to content editing and public relations. She is an avid reader and has deep interests in Indian temple traditions and architecture. She has collaborated extensively on translation works connected with Society’s film projects (Tamil to English and English to Tamil). She has also done some voice-over work, is also a sports enthusiast.
