Skip to content Srivilliputhur Temple: Andal, Perumal & Town Guide
Srivilliputhur is about 88 km south-west of Madurai in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Sthala Puranam
Lord Vatapatrasayee took Srivilliputhur as His preferred abode after slaying the demon Kalanerai who was troubling the sages doing penance in the forest. The Lord rested on Adhisesha on a banyan leaf and hence the name ‘Vatapatrasayi’. Perialwar, a resident of this town was serving the Lord with garlands daily.
One day he found a girl child under a tulasi plant in the temple garden. He took her home and gave the child to his wife. The girl was named ‘Kodhai’. She grew up into a beautiful young woman. She fell in affection with the Lord and decided to marry Him. In his dreams, Perialvar was told to bring his daughter to Srirangam.
Perialwar took Kodhai on a palanquin and she became one with the Lord. Later Perialwar went to Srivilliputhur. Andal and Rangamannar came there and a proper wedding was celebrated at Srivilliputhur. It is believed that Kodhai (Andal) is an incarnation of Bhudevi.
Temple location on Google Maps
Special Features
The area is also known as ‘Varaha Kshetram’ and it was mentioned in the Varahapuranam. There are two temples in the complex. One is the original temple to Vatapatrasayee where Perialwar worshipped and served the Lord.
The other is the temple of Andal and Rangamannar. As a result, Srivilliputhur is celebrated as the natal home of Andal. Both temples were constructed in different periods. There are different opinions regarding the time of construction. It might be done before 8th century.
The temple of Vatapatrasayi had exquisite teak wood carvings supporting the ceiling. Some believe that Perialwar built the temple tower from the reward he won from the Pandya king.
Perialwar is deemed to be the ‘amsa of Garuda’. So Garudadwajam is given pre-eminent status within the temple of Andal. Garuda idol can be seen next to the idols of Rangamannar and Andal in the sanctum sanctorum. It is believed that the descendants of Perialwar are still residing in Srivilliputhur.
On the festival days, they distribute celebratory ‘prasadam’ to everyone. Every day the garland offered to Andal is later offered to Vatapatrasayee. On special occasions, garlands decorated to Andal are taken and decorated to the Lords of the temples in Srirangam, Tirumaliruncholai and Tirupati. In the temple in Srivilliputur, the Lord is Vatapatrasayee and the Universal Mother is Kodhai. The ‘vimana’ is ‘Samsana Vimana’ and the ‘theertham’ is ‘Thirumukulam Theertham.’
Mangalasasanam
In the 85th pasuram of his Thirumozhi, Perialwar says that He brought everyone to himself by being born in Thiruvaipadi and became the leader of the Yadavas. In the fragrant flower surrounded Srivilliputhur, Sri Bhattar Piran who is the chief of that place, wrote ten pasurams about Lord Krishna’s clapping and dancing. Troubles will run away from those who read and understand these ten pasurams.
In the same Thirumozhi (233), the Alwar goes to say that ‘You are the colour of dark clouds. You support me. Yasoda who wears the fragrant flowers in her hair, has nursed You and has not been scared to nurse You.
Bhattar Piran sang these beautifully connected Tamil pasurams and those who understand and sing them will serve Hrishikesava!’Andal in the 549th pasuram in Natchiyar Thirumozhi says, ‘My eyes are constantly looking for an opportunity to see the divine feet of the Lord who resides at Srivilliputhur where pleasure loving swans spread and play.
The koels call for the Lord who became Trivikrama. If He should come here, I will make my parrot which has been grown with sweet food, milk and rice Your friend.’
May Goddess Andal and Lord Rangamannar bless Their devotees with health, prosperity and eternal bliss!
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