Andal

Andal Biography

Andal is the only female Alvar of the 12 Alvar saints of South India. She is associated with Srivaishnava tradition of Hinduism and regarded as a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Tiruppaavai and Naachiyaar Thirumozhi are regarded as her celebrated works. Andal is treated more than a saint and as a form of God herself, in many parts of India particularly Tamil Nadu. The Srivilliputhoor Temple is dedicated to her and marked as her birth place. Her works are recited by devotees during the winter festival season of Margazhi now also.  

As per beliefs, she was found by Vishnucitta who later became Periyalvar, a Hindu saint. She was found under a basil plant in the temple garden of Srivilliputtur. The child was named Kodhai, meaning a beautiful garland. She has been accepted as a reincarnation of Earth Goddess. The series of Goddess Earth’s incarnations start from the Varaha Puranam. Later Vishnucitta brought up her as own child in an atmosphere of love and devotion. Vishnucitta taught her songs and stories related to Lord Vishnu and very soon, she too became a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. She started to live in a dream world with Lord Vishnu and dreamt to marry him.

Kodhai made garlands for Lord and sent them through her father. But gradually she started wearing those garlands. She tests herself if garland suits her and then only sent to God. One day her father caught her red handed. He was upset with Kodhai’s strange behavior and advised her not to do so. Kodhai apologized for the mistake and was very sad for committing the mistake. Very night the Lord appeared to Vishnucitta in his dream. Lord asked him why he asked Kothai to make another garland to offer to him, discarding the one she has made before. Lord also told that he accepted all the garlands she had sent him earlier. Thus he realized the Divine Love that existed between the Lord and his daughter.

When she became young, her father started preparations to find a groom for her. But she was stubborn in her decision for not getting married. She insisted that she would marry only Lord Vishnu. Lord again appeared in Vishnuchitta's dream and informed him that He would marry Andal at Srirangam. He also commented priests to arrange wedding at Srirangam. But she was so anxious that she ran into the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Ranganatha and believed to have merged with Him. Still now, descendents of Periyazhwar have preserved a few beads and ornaments used by Periyalvar and Kodhai respectively.

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Updated: March 12, 2014