Srivilliputhur is a town and a municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The most important landmark of Srivilliputhur is 11-tiered tower structure dedicated to the Lord of Srivilliputhur, known as Vatapatrasayee. The tower of this temple rises 192 feet high and is the official symbol of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
It is said to have been built by Periyalvar, believed to be the father-in-law of the Temple Deity, with a purse of gold that he won in debates held in the palace of Pandya King Vallabhadeva. Srivilliputhur is well known for its ancient heritage and devotional contributions.
The Moolavar here is Vatapatrasayee in a reclining posture facing east, while Taayaar here is Andaal. There are shrines to Andal (where she was discovered in a garden) and Perialwar here. Vatapatrasayee is flanked by Sridevi and Bhudevi and images of Garuda, Surya, Narada, Sanatkumara, Bhrahma, Sanaka, Bhrigu and Markandeya.
The temple is associated with the life of Andal, who was found under a Tulsi plant in the garden inside the temple by Periazhwar. She is believed to have worn the garland before dedicating it to the presiding deity of the temple. Periazhwar, who later found it, was highly upset and stopped the practise. It is believed Vishnu appeared in his dream and asked him to dedicate the garland worn by Andal to him daily, which is a practise followed during the modern times, when the garland of Andal is sent to Azhagar Koyil on Garudostavam during the Tamil month of Puratasi (September – October) and Tirumala Venkateswara Temple during Chitra Pournami It is also believed that Ranganatha of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple married Andal, who later merged with him.
Srivilliputtur finds mention in Brahmakaivatsa puranam and Varaha puranam. Varaha puranam foretells the existence of Srivilliputtur and the consequent visit of Vishnu during the Varaha Avataram. Brahmakaivatsa puranam mentions the location of Vatapatrasayi Temple in Srivilliputtur.
Srivilliputhur has a significant place in Vaishnava philosophy and worship practices. The Srivilliputtur divya desam has the unique distinction among all other divya desams of being the birthplace of two important azhwars among the twelve azhwars, sri periyazhwar, who became the father-in-law of the Ranganatha himself and Andal who was the incaranation of Bhoomadevi and attained union with the Ranganathan at Srirangam. Andal is the only female Alvar of the 12 Alvar saints of South India. She is credited with the Tamil works of Thirupavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi that are still recited by devotees during the winter festival season of Margazhi. Andal is treated more than a saint and as a form of god herself and a shrine for Andal is dedicated in most Vishnu temples.
Madavar Vilagam Vaidyanathar temple, enshrining a six feet high monolithic image of Nataraja, is another prominent temple in the town. Kattalagar Koil is another Vishnu temple located 9 km, west of Srivilliputhur over the Mantuga Hills. Sathuragiri Hills is an abode of siddhar (Tamil sages), and home of two temples, namely Sundra Mahalingam temple and Sandhana Mahalingam temple.
Thousands of people from the state participate in the “Aadi Pooram” festival celebrated in the Andal Temple. After early morning special pujas, the presiding deities, Sri Rengamannar and Goddess Andal are taken in decorated palanquins to the car. The festival marks the adoption of presiding deity, Andal, by Periyazhwar after he found her near a Tulsi plant in the garden of Vadabadrasai Temple at Srivilliputhur on the eighth day of the Tamil month of Adi.
Source
“http://templenet.com/Tamilnadu/df099.html”.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srivilliputhur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srivilliputhur_Andal_Temple
http://suparnidevi.blogspot.in/2016/08/aadi-pooram-utsavam.html
http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.in/2015/09/srivilliputhur-andal-kovil.html
https://kmkvaradhan.wordpress.com/page/28/?iframe=true&preview=true%2F%3Fcat%3D