Srivilliputhur: The Birthplace of Andal and Periyazhwar (Vadapathrasayee Temple)

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• November 27, 2025
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Temple Identity and Key Deities
Detail Description
Common Names Andal Koil, Srivilliputhur Divyadesam.
Moolavar (Main Deity) Vadapathrasayee (The Lord Resting on the Banyan Leaf)
Posture Reclining (Bhujanga Sayanam), facing East, with Abhaya Hastham in His Left Hand.
Thayar (Consort) Sree Kodhai Nachiyar (Andal is a form of Goddess Lakshmi—Sri).
Utsava Perumal (Procession) Vadabathrasayee
Utsavar (Andal) Soodikotutha Nachiyar (The Goddess who wore and gave the garland).
Vimanam (Tower) Samsana Vimanam
Pushkarini (Holy Tank) Thirumukkulam
Kshetram Title Varaha Kshetram
🏰 The Tallest Tower of Tamil Nadu
The temple is instantly recognizable by its magnificent, nine-tiered temple tower (Gopuram), which is the tallest temple tower in Tamil Nadu. This majestic structure is so iconic that it has been formally enshrined as the official emblem (logo) of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
💖 Periyazhwar and the Thirupallandu
Periyazhwar’s spiritual prowess was famously recognized here:
• The Golden Parrot Test: The Pandya King Vallabadevan hung a Golden Parrot, announcing that it would fall only when someone correctly identified the Supreme Lord capable of granting Paramapatham (Heavenly Abode).
• The Revelation: The Lord appeared in the dream of the King’s priest and directed him to Periyazhwar. In the court, Periyazhwar, using extensive Vedic and historical references, proved that Lord Maha Vishnu is the Supreme Giver of Salvation. The Golden Parrot immediately fell.
• Thirupallandu: Delighted, the King led Periyazhwar on an elephant procession through Madurai. Legend states that Koodal Azhagar Perumal (of Thirukkoodal) appeared on His Garuda Vahanam to witness this glory. Moved, Periyazhwar composed the famous Thirupallandu (a prayer for the Lord’s longevity), which forms the first 12 hymns of the Divya Prabandham.
🌹 Andal: The Garland Giver (Soodikodutha Nachiyar)
Andal, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi (Sri), was found by Periyazhwar in his garden and named Kodhai (meaning “Garland”).
• The Unique Tradition: From a young age, Andal considered the Lord her husband. She developed the unique habit of wearing the garland meant for the Lord first, admiring her reflection, and then offering the “worn” garland.
• Divine Acceptance: Though initially shocked, Periyazhwar was relieved when the Lord indicated He preferred the garland worn by Andal. This tradition persists today: Lord Vadapathrasayee adorns the garland worn by Andal the previous day (Soodikodutha Nachiyar means “The Goddess who wore and then gave”).
📖 Andal’s Thiruppavai and Margazhi
• Thiruppavai: At the age of five, during the Tamil month of Margazhi (mid-December to mid-January), Andal composed the 30 exquisite verses of Thiruppavai, expressing her desire for the Lord’s service (Kainkaryam) and inspiring devotees to seek His grace.
• Spiritual Significance: These 30 songs are recited daily in Vishnu temples throughout the month of Margazhi, which begins at 4:00 AM. It is believed that reciting the Thiruppavai sincerely blesses unmarried girls with spiritual partners.
• Shaivite Acknowledgment: An interesting note is the shared respect between Vaishnavism and Shaivism: the first verse of Thiruppavai begins with Maa (Maanikkavaachakar’s initial) and the first verse of the Shaivite Thiruvembavai begins with Aa (Andal’s initial).
🤝 The Sacred Exchange with Thirumaliruncholai
The bond between Srivilliputhur and Thirumaliruncholai (Azhagar Koil) is celebrated annually:
• Andal’s Gift: During the Madurai Chithirai Festival, Kallazhagar (Utsavar of Thirumaliruncholai) stops at Thallaakulam to ceremoniously receive and wear the Garland sent by Andal. He enters the Vaigai River only after adorning it.
• Azhagar’s Return: During the Thiruvadi Pooram festival (Andal’s birthday), Lord Azhagar sends his Attire to Srivilliputhur as a reciprocatory gesture.
🎭 Araiyar Sevai: The Living Art
Srivilliputhur is one of the three Divyadesams (along with Srirangam and Azhvaar Thirunagari) that preserves the ancient art form of Araiyar Sevai:
• The Performance: This is a 1000-year-old traditional artistic expression where the Araiyars (descendants of Nathamuni) perform a unique blend of recitation, explanation (Vyakyaanam), and expressive dance (Abhinayam) of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham verses

Srivilliputhur: The Birthplace of Andal and Periyazhwar (Vadapathrasayee Temple) 044 – 2833 9999

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