At a distance of 80 km from Madurai and 100 km from Tirunelveli, Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is an historic Hindu temple located at Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar district of Tamilnadu. This is likely one of the widespread temples in Tamilnadu and in addition one of many 108 divya desams of Lord Vishnu. The 11 tier Raja gopuram is the tallest in Tamilnadu and can be the Emblem of Tamil Nadu Authorities.
The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu, who’s worshipped as Vatapatrasayi and his consort Lakshmi as Andal. It’s believed to be the birthplace of two of the Alwars, specifically Periazhwar and his foster daughter Andal. The Alwars lived in eighth century, in order that the existence of the temple might be traced even earlier than. Vatapatra Sayanar Temple was constructed by the King Villi who dominated the place. The tall temple tower was constructed by Peria Alwar with the assistance supplied by the Pandian king Vallabadevan (765-815 AD). The Andal Shrine had been constructed by totally different kings of Pandya dynasty at totally different occasions. King Thirumalai Nayak had finished many renovations.
Srivilliputhur Temple is related to the lifetime of Andal, who was discovered underneath a Tulsi plant within the backyard contained in the temple by Periazhwar. She is believed to have worn the garland earlier than dedicating it to the presiding deity of the temple. Periazhwar, who later discovered it, was extremely upset and stopped the follow. It’s believed Vishnu appeared in his dream and requested him to dedicate the garland worn by Andal to him each day, which is a follow adopted throughout the fashionable occasions. It’s also believed that Ranganatha of Srirangam married Andal, who later merged with him.
The temple consists of two components. The primary half is named Vatapatra Sayanar Temple and the second half is named Andal Shrine. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines, the backyard the place Andal was discovered and two of its three our bodies of water. The best attraction of the temple is the Rajagopuram with eleven tiers and 192 ft top. It’s one among the many tallest towers of temples in Tamilnadu. It’s also the Emblem of Tamil Nadu Authorities.
Within the sanctum sanctorum the idol of the Lord in a reclining posture, his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi, are proven attending to him at his ft. Sage Bhrigu stands close to his head and Markandeya is close to his ft. The banyan tree whose leaf is named Vatapatram, on which the Lord is claimed to relaxation within the type of a child throughout deluge, is at his head. Photos of Panchamurtis, Thumburu, Narada, Sanatkumara, Kinnara Mithuna, the Solar and the Moon are proven throughout the Lord in addition to representations of Villi and Puttan, who stand reverently at his ft. The sanctum sanctorum has three doorways from which the Lord might be seen in His reclining posture. A flight of stairs results in the sanctum sanctorum; beneath them is a big, spectacular corridor with detailed wood carvings depicting incidents from the Puranas.
The Chitritsavam for 9 days, Aadi Pooram, Vasantha Utsavam, Peria Perumal Bramhotsavam, Theppostavam and Andal Mannar Thirukalyanam for 10 days are the essential festivals celebrated on this temple with nice pomp and fervor.
Timings: 6.30 AM – 1 PM & four PM – 9 PM