Sri Andal Alwar

The life story of Sri Andal, the female alwar is related to the alwar Periyalwar. It is said that once Periyalwar was worshipping the Tulasi plant when he saw a baby girl crying. He held the baby in his shoulders and asked everyone about her. After a long time when no one claimed her, Periyalwar decided to keep the child and take care of her.

This child was named Andal, who was found in a flower garden in kali yuga 98. She was born in the Adi month, Tuesday, under Puram star in SRIVILLPUTHUR.

After finding Andal while doing his everyday Bhakti, Periyalwar decided to keep the girl child. He raised the child in a godly surrounding near nature which was a pious and Vedic atmosphere. Hence, the child was happily raised, and with time, he grew into a beautiful female while becoming a staunch devotee of Shri Krishna.

Sri Andal and Lord Vishnu

Periyalwar was a devotee of Vishnu; he would weave a garland of tulsi leaves daily to offer it to the supreme. He would keep the garland in a flower basket and offer it later to Lord Vishnu after his other course. One day in innocence, the child uncovered the flower basket and wore the garland which was made for the Lord.

This went on for many days without her father's knowledge. The girl would take the garland, admire herself in the mirror, considering herself a suitable bride to the Lord, and then would place it in the flower basket again.

One day, Periyalwar saw the girl wearing the garland before taking it to the temple. The father considered it as a great sin, and he argued with his daughter for such an act. He was all regretful on that day, and he even fasted the whole day. He did not offer the garland that day to the Lord. When he was sleeping at night, the Lord appeared in his dream and asked him, "why didn't you offer the garland today?" He further said that he is always eager to have the things touched by his devotees. The Lord told Periyalwar not to think of the girl as a mere human.

Periyalwar understood the words of Vishnu, and the next morning, to his surprise, he found out that the won garland was still fresh. He took the garland and offered him to Lord Vishnu as told. The grace of Lord Vishnu continued upon Periyalwar. Even today, the same practice happens at the temple of Srivilliputhur.

The Wedlock of Sri Andal

When Sri Andal attained the age of marriage, her father was worried about her. As the divine child was destined to marry Lord Krishna, she was mesmerized by Lord Sriranganatha. She prayed to him and asked him to come and accept her for the wedding.

Periyalwar, however, was worried about his daughter and was dubious about the situation. At night, Sri Ranganathan came to his dream and told him not to hesitate upon offering his daughter to the Lord. The Lord told him that to me, she is Bhudevi herself, and so the union is obvious

The Lord also told the officials in charge of Srirangam to go to Srivilliputhur and bring his bride, Sri Andal with all the royalty. When the procession was raised from Srivilliputhur to Srirangam with Sri Andal in a palanquin, King Vallabhadeva also joined the procession.

The whole way to the Lord was decorated greatly with flowers and wreaths of green saplings. The Lord wanted Sri Andal to enter through the adorned route and unite with the Lord. The bride entered the inner shrine of Sri Ranganatha and got instantly attracted by the beauty of the Lord. She then stepped on the serpent couch of Sri Ranganatha and joined the Lord in his lustrous light. It is also believed that later Andal was merged into the Lord for eternity.

Since then, Andal is worshipped in Tamil Nadu for being the beloved of Lord Krishna, similarly to Radha is known as the beloved of Shri Krishna in North India. Andal is considered as a Gopi in Ayarpadi (Brindavan) in the Thiruppavai.

Sri Andal's works include TIRUPPAVAI (30 verses) and NAACHIYAAR THIRUMOZHI (143 verses).