Srivilliputhur Andal Temple
On July 30, 2024Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is an ancient Hindu temple that is 100 km from Tirunelveli and 80 Km from Madurai. It is located in Virudhunagar district, Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu. This temple is connected by railway and road to some of the popular cities nearby including Sattur, Thirunalveli, Tenkasi, Shenkottai and Madurai. This is one among the 108 Divya Desams and one of the popular temples of Lord Vishnu. It is a temple that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu worshipped as Vatapatrasayi and his wife Goddess Lakshmi incarnation, Andal.
History Of The Temple
As per legends, the Lord took refuge in Srivilliputhur in a pig’s form. Two brothers, Villi and Kandan were professional hunters who ruled a section of this place. Once, when they were out hunting, Kandan was attacked by a tiger, and he and his brother succumbed to injuries. Vili went searching for his brothers and looked all over the place but eventually got tired and fell asleep. In his dream, god narrated what happened to his brothers. He also revealed the form he took to destroy an asura Kalanemi. The Lord told him that he lived in Vadabadra Vimanam under a tree, and he guided him to that town and asked Villi to build a temple in his name. The king did as he was told by God and built a temple and called it Villiputhur. This became the birthplace of Andal.
Srivilliputhur Temple is identified with Andal, who was found inside the temple garden by Periazhwar. She is said to have worn the garland her adopted father made every day before dedicating it to the temple deity. Periazhwar, who found his daughter doing this, got upset and stopped it. It is believed that Lord Vishnu came in his dream and said that he wished to wear the garland that Andal wore. So from that day, the practice is still in place, and the garland worn by Andal is dedicated to the temple deity. It is also said that Andal got married to Ranganathar of Srirangam and united with him.
The temple has two parts: one is called the Vatapatra Sayanar Temple, and the second is the Andal Sannadhi. The temple is said to have been built in the eighth century by King Villi, who was the head of the village. Peri Alwar later built a huge citadel with the assistance of Vallabadevan, a Pandya King. Andal Sannadhi was reconstructed by many emperors of different generations, all of whom belonged to the Pandya dynasty. To this day, the fish emblem can be seen which is seen as a symbol of Pandya monarchs. The Raja Gopuram, which is the tallest in Tamil Nadu, is a Tamil Nadu government symbol.
The sanctum sanctorum has the Lord Vishnu idol in a reclining position with his consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi, who are at his feet attending to him. Sage Bhrigu is depicted standing near his head and Markandeya at his feet. The banyan tree leaf called Vatapatram, on which Vishnu is said to have rested during the deluge, is at the head. The images of Mithuna, Kinnara, Sanatkumara, Narada, Thumburu, the moon and the sun are all depicted as being around the Lord. There are also images of Puttan and Villi standing reverently at the Lord’s feet. There are three doorways to the sanctum sanctorum from which Vishnu can be seen in his reclining form. There is a flight of stairs that takes devotees to the sanctum sanctorum below, which is a large hall with wooden carvings that show stories from the Puranas.
Significance Of This Temple
Tirumukkalam is a holy Theertam for the followers and is said to be in this temple. As per legends, after Lord Patrasayee killed Kalanemi, a demon, the Srichakra of the god immersed itself in this holy reservoir to cleanse itself. Along with this, the temple has nine other reservoirs. During festivals, abhishekams have great significance. The Abhishekam oil, which is an amalgamation of 61 herbs, is said to have healing properties. People apply this to their bodies to cure illnesses. Srivilliputhur is an arid place with monsoons being the only source of water. Wells dry up during summer however, the temple well does not. People believe that the Goddess used the well to look at her reflection as a mirror, and hence it does not dry. The well is called Kannadi Kinnaru, which means mirror well.
Festivals/Gatherings
Many devotees come to this temple to pray to Goddess Andal. Her devotees are blessed with success in marriage, education, attaining progeny and gaining success in business. The devotees usually come with tulsi garland and also offer lamps, clothes, flowers and butter. They also donate money for food to help the less fortunate.
The Vanatha Utsavam, Peria Perumal Brahmotsavam, Aadi Pooram, Theppotsavam and Andal Thirukalyanam are some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple. Lakhs of devotees gather to celebrate it with great devotion and pomp.
History Of The Temple
As per legends, the Lord took refuge in Srivilliputhur in a pig’s form. Two brothers, Villi and Kandan were professional hunters who ruled a section of this place. Once, when they were out hunting, Kandan was attacked by a tiger, and he and his brother succumbed to injuries. Vili went searching for his brothers and looked all over the place but eventually got tired and fell asleep. In his dream, god narrated what happened to his brothers. He also revealed the form he took to destroy an asura Kalanemi. The Lord told him that he lived in Vadabadra Vimanam under a tree, and he guided him to that town and asked Villi to build a temple in his name. The king did as he was told by God and built a temple and called it Villiputhur. This became the birthplace of Andal.
Srivilliputhur Temple is identified with Andal, who was found inside the temple garden by Periazhwar. She is said to have worn the garland her adopted father made every day before dedicating it to the temple deity. Periazhwar, who found his daughter doing this, got upset and stopped it. It is believed that Lord Vishnu came in his dream and said that he wished to wear the garland that Andal wore. So from that day, the practice is still in place, and the garland worn by Andal is dedicated to the temple deity. It is also said that Andal got married to Ranganathar of Srirangam and united with him.
The temple has two parts: one is called the Vatapatra Sayanar Temple, and the second is the Andal Sannadhi. The temple is said to have been built in the eighth century by King Villi, who was the head of the village. Peri Alwar later built a huge citadel with the assistance of Vallabadevan, a Pandya King. Andal Sannadhi was reconstructed by many emperors of different generations, all of whom belonged to the Pandya dynasty. To this day, the fish emblem can be seen which is seen as a symbol of Pandya monarchs. The Raja Gopuram, which is the tallest in Tamil Nadu, is a Tamil Nadu government symbol.
The sanctum sanctorum has the Lord Vishnu idol in a reclining position with his consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi, who are at his feet attending to him. Sage Bhrigu is depicted standing near his head and Markandeya at his feet. The banyan tree leaf called Vatapatram, on which Vishnu is said to have rested during the deluge, is at the head. The images of Mithuna, Kinnara, Sanatkumara, Narada, Thumburu, the moon and the sun are all depicted as being around the Lord. There are also images of Puttan and Villi standing reverently at the Lord’s feet. There are three doorways to the sanctum sanctorum from which Vishnu can be seen in his reclining form. There is a flight of stairs that takes devotees to the sanctum sanctorum below, which is a large hall with wooden carvings that show stories from the Puranas.
Significance Of This Temple
Tirumukkalam is a holy Theertam for the followers and is said to be in this temple. As per legends, after Lord Patrasayee killed Kalanemi, a demon, the Srichakra of the god immersed itself in this holy reservoir to cleanse itself. Along with this, the temple has nine other reservoirs. During festivals, abhishekams have great significance. The Abhishekam oil, which is an amalgamation of 61 herbs, is said to have healing properties. People apply this to their bodies to cure illnesses. Srivilliputhur is an arid place with monsoons being the only source of water. Wells dry up during summer however, the temple well does not. People believe that the Goddess used the well to look at her reflection as a mirror, and hence it does not dry. The well is called Kannadi Kinnaru, which means mirror well.
Festivals/Gatherings
Many devotees come to this temple to pray to Goddess Andal. Her devotees are blessed with success in marriage, education, attaining progeny and gaining success in business. The devotees usually come with tulsi garland and also offer lamps, clothes, flowers and butter. They also donate money for food to help the less fortunate.
The Vanatha Utsavam, Peria Perumal Brahmotsavam, Aadi Pooram, Theppotsavam and Andal Thirukalyanam are some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple. Lakhs of devotees gather to celebrate it with great devotion and pomp.