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Srivilliputhur Andal temple
Posted on: 12/Jan/2018 5:27:36 PM
Srivilliputhur Andal temple is one of the Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in the Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu. The temple is 80 kms away from the famous Madurai city. Srivilliputhur Andal temple is one of the 108 Holy places of Lord Vishnu and was sung in high praises in Divya Prabandha which is the earliest Tamil canon of the Azhwars.
Srivilliputhur is considered as the birth place for the famous Azhwar, Periazhwar and his foster daughter, Andal. Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Vadapathrasayi and there is a dedicated shrine for Lord Vishnu’s consort Andal.
Architecture
Srivilliputhur Andal temple follows the Dravidian Architecture style which is one of the oldest monumental cultures of the World.
The huge Rajagopuram of the Srivilliputhur Andal temple is 192 feet tall and a granite wall encloses all the shrines and forms of the temple.
The temple has two divisions namely Andal Sannadhi and Vadaparthrasayanar Sannadhi on the south west and north east directions respectively. There are paintings of Vijayanagara and Nayak dynasty kings on the walls of the temple.
Legend and History
According to ancient mythology this place where the Srivilliputhur Andal temple is located was often referred as Varaha Kshetra. This place was quite famous for many known sages performing penance and meditating for the ultimate enlightenment. A demon called Kalaneri was threatening the sages and their livelihood and so the sages strongly meditated for the arrival of the Lord Vishnu to solve the serious issue. Lord Vishnu took the form of Adhisesha on a serpent bed and killed the Asura Kalaneri. This temple was raised in praises for this brave act of Lord Vishnu.
Srivilliputhur Andal temple appears in the Tamil Nadu’s state emblem. Srivilliputhur Andal temple’s construction held between the 10th and 15th centuries undergoing various changes in the form, idols and cultural inscriptions of different Kingdoms like Chozha, Pandya, Nayak and Vijayanagara dynasties.
Religious Identities
Srivilliputhur Andal temple follows the tradition of Thenkalai style of worship.
Aadi Pooram is an important festival celebrated in the temple where more than one lakh devotees arrive from various parts of the state. The rituals are almost practiced daily, Fridays and Saturdays are considered to be the best days for visiting the temple.
