Aandal temple in Sriviliputtur is yet another famous and ancient temple and is also one among the 108 divyadesams of Vishnu. The imposing tower of this temple is very attractive and the main tower of the temple is on the official emblem of Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Aadi(Tamil month)Pooram festival is famous here and is for 12 days. The festival is on now and thousands of devotees converge here for the same . Pooram is the birth star of Aandal and the chariot festival on the 9th day attracts lot of devotees to this temple. Aandal is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Bhoodevi.
There are two temples here . One for Lord Vishnu, known here as Vatapatrasayi and he is in a reclining position here. Vata patra means the leaf of banyan tree and this is found at the head of the deity here. This is the sacred place where the great devotee of Vishnu, Aandal used to worship the Lord . The sanctum has beautiful paintings of Gods and Goddesses.
Aandal temple is next to the Vatapatrasayi temple. In between the temples is Nandavanam, a small shrine where Aandal was found and adopted by Perialwar ( devotee of Vishnu). Aandal temple has beautiful mandapams with exquisite carvings and here She gives darshan to her devotees along with Rengamannar (Vishnu) and Garuda. .There is a well inside the temple where Aandal used to see her reflection everyday after wearing the garland meant for the Lord. She succeeded in winning the affection of the Lord . As per Lord's wish her father took her to Sri Rangam , Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple where she merged with the Lord.
Andal is the only woman Alwar (saint) of Vaishnavism and She has composed two beautiful literary gems in Tamil, Tirupavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi which is sung even today by devotees during the Tamil month of Maarghazhi.
Her father Perialvar also has a separate sannidhi in Vatapatra Sayi temple and there are also separate shrines for Chakrathazhvar and Nammalwar.
Srivilliputhur is famous for palgova, a milk sweet and people make it a point to buy this when they visit this place.
If one makes a prayer to the divine Mother- Thayar- it is believed the prayer is heard and granted. Thousands of people make special prayers to Andal for education, success in business, marriage and child. The devotees usually offer tulsi garlands, butter, clothes and lamps. Nowadays people share feeding expenses of the temple to poor.
Many families whole heartedly pray for the marriage for their daughters and get good grooms after these prayers. If the eleven poems starting from ‘Varanam Aayiram’ are sung by the girls, who are in waiting for marriage for want of grooms, will get married very soon. The poems were written by Andal. It is called “Nachiyar Tirumozhi’.
During festivals abhishekams gather importance. The Abisheka thailam, which contains the essence 61 herbs, is believed to have medicinal qualities. People apply this oil on their body for various diseases as medicine.
Andal is believed to have used the well as mirror to watch her reflection. That is the reason why the well is named as ‘mirror well’- ‘Kannadi Kinaru’. Kannadi theeertham is famous.
Once Andal had a desire to offer 100 pots of butter and Akara vadisal to Kallazhagar, The Lord of Azhzgar Koil in madurai. She could not do it in her lifetime. But Sri Ramanujar did it on her behalf. When Ramanujar visited the temple later, Andal voice was heard calling him “My dear elder Brother”- ‘Anna’.Ramaunajar has become ‘Koil annan’ from that day.
"The garlands with the parrots made of leaves and flowers" are prepared daily by florists with fresh flowers and leaves and offered to Thayar.
Speciality of Andal garland and Tirupathi Balaji:
Tirupathi Brahmotsavam is important festival all over South India and attracts millions of devotees.
It is quite interesting to know that a Garland worn by Andal is sent all along to Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh one day before the Brahmotsavam starts. The mala is used for garlanding Lord Balaji.
In the same manner every year, Tirupathi Balaji’s garland is sent to Srivilliputtur for marriage festival of Andal Thayar.Not only Balaji of Tirupathi, Kallazhagar of Madurai is also presented with a garland worn by Andal on Chithirai Festival day.
History:
Several centuries ago, the land area around Srivilliputhur was under the rule of Queen Malli. This Queen had two sons called Villi and Kandan. One day, while they were hunting in a forest, a tiger killed Kandan. Unaware of this fact, Villi searched for his brother, got tired and feel asleep. In his dream, God narrated to him what happened to his brother. Realising the fact, on divine orders Villi founded a beautiful city by setting right the forest. For this reason only, the city is named after him as Villiputhur. Further, because of the divine birth of Sri Andal in this city, it got the honorific of Srivilliputhur.
During the reign of Thirumalai Naikar (1623 – 1659) and Rani Mangammal (1889 – 1706), this city became very popular. Thirumalai Naikar had done a lot of renovation consecration to the temples of this city. From 1751 to 1756 A.D., Srivilliputhur came under the rule of Nerkattucheval Jamindar Pulithevar. Then it fell into the hands of Mohammed Yousoof Khan. Until 1850, Sri Andal temple was under the care of the king of Trivancore. The Britishers ruled the country till India attained freedom.
Formerly, Srivilliputhur was a part of Madurai district. Later on, it was annexed with Tirunelveli District in 1838 and in 1910 with Ramnad district respectively. When Ramnad District was divided into three districts, Srivilliputhur, significantly called the city of temples, came under Virudhunagar district. In this renowned city, there are many heritage temples.
The reputed temples of Sri Andal and Sri Vadapathra Sayanar are located in the heart of the city. The big tower of this temple stands as the official emblem of Tamil Nadu Government.
Towards west to this city lies the Western Mountainous range. And it contains dense forests and provides sanctuary to wild animals.
Srivilliputhur falls en route to the National Highways (N.H.208) extending from Thirumangalam to Kollam. The cities Rajapalayam and Sivakasi are 11 kilometres and 20 kilometres distance away from Srivilliputhur.
The important nearby cities:
Madurai – 75 Km, Chennai – 515 Km, Virudhunagar - 45 km.
How to reach: Srivilliputhur is about 75 Kms from Madurai on NH 208.Madurai is well connected with air, rail and road. Many buses ply from all parts of Tamil Nadu to the town of Srivilliputhur.
Accommodation: Budget hotels are available in Srivilliputtur and Rajapalayam town which is just 14kms. from here but I would suggest staying in Madurai is a better option as all types of accommodation, luxury , deluxe and budget hotels are available there.
Temples nearby :Temple of Ninra Narayana Perumal at Tiruthangal (on Virudhunagar- Sivakasi route)which is just 20 Kms. away.Kasi Viswanathar Koil -Sivakasi, 25 kms.Kuttraleeshwarar temple- 75 Kms. on NH 208
Srivilliputtur Andal Temple Contact Details:
Arulmigu Nachiar TempleSrivilliputtur- 626125Tamil NaduIndiaTel: 04563-260254
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