Srivilliputhur
is famous for its
many temples, the
most important of
them being Sri Andal
and Vatapatrasayee.
Vatapatrasayee was
the original deity
of Srivilliputhur.
Here Lord Vishnu
is in a reclining
posture with his
consorts Sridevi
and Bhoo Devi in
the presence of
Sage Bhrigu and
Sage Markhandeya.
There are fine temple
carvings on wood
here. The big temple
of Andal can be
seen in its side.
Andal belongs to
the rare list of
famous women saints.
Andal can be compared
to Sita –
not being born in
a mother’s
womb. Andal is said
to be the counterpart
of Sri Ranganatha.
Andal was discovered
by a vaishnavite
Brahmin called Vishnu
Chitta in his garden,
much like how Janaka
found Sita. She
was named Goda initially
and became a Vishnu
devotee. As the
 child
grew she was suffused
with divine love.
Goda’s father
was responsible
for adorning garlands
on the Lord. But
during his absence,
Goda used to wear
it and admire her
reflection. When
the saint found
this one day, he
did not offer the
garland to the lord.
But Lord Vishnu
came in his dream
and told him that
going further he
should be adorned
with only those
garlands which had
been worn by Goda.
The saint came to
know that Goda was
none other than
goddess mahalaxmi
and named her Andal
which means the
ruler of the entire
universe. Andal
heard from her father
the stories of Krishna
and his Gopis and
was greatly influenced
by this love. She
started experiencing
this kind of love
and composed some
exemplary lyrical
stanzas in Tamil
Goda was determined
to marry only Lord
Ranganatha. Lord
Ranganatha appeared
in the dreams of
her father saint
Vishnu Chitta and
asked him to give
his daughters’
hand in marriage
to him. At Srirangam
the Lord asked the
priest to bring
Andal with all honors.
Andal was brought
in a befitting procession
from Srivilliputhur
and on reaching
Srirangam was merged
with the body of
Ranganatha. Saintess
Andal was thus beatified.
This town of Srivilliputhur
is about 50 miles
from Madurai. There
are a lot of places
for accommodation
here including choultries
and rest houses.
There are regular
bus services from
towns like Madurai,
Tenkasi, Tirnelveli
and Satur. |
