Srivilliputhur Andal Temple
Tamil Architecture·10th century·India
The Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, located in Tamil Nadu, India, is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, worshipped here as Vatapatrasayi, and his consort Lakshmi as Andal. It is revered as the birthplace of the Alvar saints Periyalvar and Andal, and is a prominent Divya Desam, one of the 108 holy abodes of Vishnu.
Key Facts
- ›Dedicated to Vishnu (Vatapatrasayi) and Lakshmi (Andal).
- ›Considered the birthplace of Alvar saints Periyalvar and Andal.
- ›Glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, an early Tamil religious canon.
- ›Features architecture from the Tamil style, with additions from Vijayanagar and Nayak periods.
- ›The Rajagopuram, a towering gateway, is a notable architectural feature.
- ›Celebrates the Aadipooram festival, marking Andal's birthday, as its most prominent event.
Vishnu, Lakshmi, Andal, Vatapatrasayi, Rangamannar
- Birthplace of Alvar saints Periyalvar and Andal
- Considered one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu
- Important site for Vaishnava philosophy and worship
- Associated with significant Tamil religious literature
Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagar, Nayak
Aadipooram, Chitra Pournami, Garudostavam
Granite
- Periyalvar
- Andal
- Tribuvana Chakravarthy Konerinmai Kondan Kulasekaran
- Barathi Rayar
- Thirumalai Nayak
- Rani Mangammal
- Paintings of Andal's Life
- Sculptures of Mohini, Rama, Kamadeva, Rati
- Teak Wood Carvings Depicting Puranic Incidents and Dashavatara
- Composite Columns of Virabhadra
About Srivilliputhur Andal Temple
The Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, situated in the town of Srivilliputhur in Tamil Nadu, India, is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Vatapatrasayi, and his consort Lakshmi, revered as Andal. It holds a prominent place among the 108 Divya Desams, which are the holiest abodes of Vishnu. The temple is particularly renowned as the birthplace of two of the twelve revered Alvar saints: Periyalvar and his foster-daughter, Andal.
Religious and Historical Context
The temple's history is deeply intertwined with the legends of Andal, believed to have been found by Periyalvar under a tulasi plant in the temple garden. Andal's intense devotion is celebrated through her Tamil poems, Thirupavai and Nachiar Tirumoli, which remain integral to winter festival recitations. The temple follows the Thenkalai tradition of worship and is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Epigraphic records suggest the presence of the Vatapatrasayi temple from the 10th century CE, with inscriptions from the Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagar periods indicating patronage across several centuries.
Architecture and Features
Constructed in the Tamil architectural style, the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is enclosed by a granite wall. It comprises two main divisions: the shrine of Andal in the southwest and the shrine of Vatapatrasayi in the northeast. The temple boasts a towering rajagopuram, or gateway tower, standing at 192 feet (59 meters), which is a significant architectural achievement. The walls within the Andal shrine are adorned with paintings depicting her life, and the Kalyana Mandapa houses life-size sculptures of various deities. The Vatapatrasayi sanctum features a reclining image of Vishnu, attended by his consorts, with depictions of sages Bhrigu and Markandeya, and symbolic representations related to the banyan leaf (Vatapatram) on which Vishnu is said to rest. The temple also contains detailed teak wood carvings and Vijayanagara sculptures.
Festivals and Devotion
The temple is active in daily worship, with six rituals performed each day. The most important annual festival is Aadipooram, celebrated during the Tamil month of Adi (July-August), marking Andal's birthday. This festival involves elaborate processions and the drawing of a massive temple car. The temple's association with the Alvar saints and its rich devotional literature make it a vital pilgrimage site for Vaishnavites.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the religious significance of the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple?
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu and is considered the birthplace of two revered Alvar saints, Periyalvar and Andal. Andal, the only female Alvar, is celebrated for her intense devotion and her Tamil poetic works, Thirupavai and Nachiar Tirumoli.
Who are the primary deities worshipped at the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple?
The temple is primarily dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vatapatrasayi, and his consort Lakshmi, who is worshipped as Andal. The deity Rangamannar is also significant, representing Vishnu in his marital union with Andal.
What is the architectural style of the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple?
The temple is constructed in the traditional Tamil architectural style. It showcases influences from the Vijayanagar and Nayak periods, evident in its paintings and sculptures, and features a prominent rajagopuram.
What are the main festivals celebrated at the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple?
The most prominent festival is Aadipooram, celebrated during the Tamil month of Adi (July-August), which marks the birthday of Andal. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are observed at the temple.
What is the legend behind the temple's name and Andal's story?
The town is said to be founded by Villi, hence Srivilliputhur. Andal, found as a baby by Periyalvar under a tulasi plant in the temple garden, grew up to be a devoted Alvar saint who composed devotional hymns and is believed to have married Vishnu.
What is the significance of the temple's gateway tower (Rajagopuram)?
The temple's rajagopuram stands at an impressive 192 feet (59 meters) and is a significant landmark. While it is sometimes cited as the official symbol of the Tamil Nadu government, this claim has been disputed.
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