Andal Temple, Srivilliputhur
ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர் ஆண்டாள் கோயில்
The birthplace of Andal, the only woman among the twelve Alvar poet-saints, whose Tiruppavai is sung across Tamil Nadu every Margazhi. One of the 108 Divya Desams, it has a gateway tower about 59 metres tall.
Then & Now
Andal Temple, Srivilliputhur through the centuries
2026 Today
Tiruppavai at dawn every Margazhi, the Aadi Pooram chariot each summer, and palkova shops round every corner.
Heritage Passport
Stamp No. 43 ௪௩
In your passport
Be within 500 m of the monument to collect this stamp.
Sign in to collectThe girl who wore the god's garland
The Vaishnava poet Periyalvar, a temple gardener at Srivilliputhur, is said to have found a baby girl under a tulasi plant in the temple garden and raised her as his daughter. As she grew, Kodhai secretly wore the garlands meant for the god, to see whether she was beautiful enough for him. When her father found out and made a fresh garland, the god let it be known that he wanted only the one she had worn, and she became known as Andal, she who ruled the Lord. Her thirty verses, the Tiruppavai, are recited at dawn in homes and temples throughout the month of Margazhi.
Two temples in one
The complex has two parts: the shrine of Vatapatrasayi, Vishnu reclining on a banyan leaf, and the shrine of Andal with Rangamannar, the form of Ranganatha who is said to have married her. Inscriptions of the Cholas, Pandyas and Vijayanagara kings record gifts over many centuries, and the Nayak ruler Thirumalai Nayak renovated the temple in the 17th century. The rajagopuram, about 59 metres high, is one of the tallest in Tamil Nadu. The garland worn by Andal's image is still sent to other great temples on festival days.
Festivals and palkova
Aadi Pooram, Andal's birthday in July-August, brings out a huge temple chariot. The town is also famous for Srivilliputhur palkova, a slow-cooked milk sweet with a Geographical Indication tag, sold in shops around the temple streets. The temple is administered by the HR&CE Department.
Timeline
700s-800s
Andal and Periyalvar compose their hymns
900s
Earliest inscriptions at the Vatapatrasayi shrine
1400s-1500s
Vijayanagara-era building, including the great gateway tower
1600s
Thirumalai Nayak renovates the temple
2019
Srivilliputhur palkova receives a GI tag
Key Facts
Gallery
Experience in AR
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Visiting etiquette
- Dress
- Modest clothing is expected: shoulders and knees covered. Veshti/dhoti or trousers with a shirt for men, and saree or churidar with dupatta for women are ideal.
- Footwear
- Leave footwear at the stands outside the gopuram and walk barefoot inside.
- Photography
- Photography is not allowed in the sanctums, and phone rules can change; follow the notices at the entrance.
- Entry
- Entry is free; archana and special-darshan tickets are sold at the counters. Non-Hindus may be asked to stay outside the sanctums.
- Timings
- The temple usually opens in the early morning, closes for a few hours after midday and reopens in the late afternoon until night; timings shift in Margazhi and during Aadi Pooram. Check locally.
- Offerings
- Flowers, tulasi garlands and archana tickets are sold near the temple. Many devotees buy palkova afterwards to take home as a sweet from Andal's town.
- Behaviour
- Queue patiently, keep your voice low near the sanctums and walk around shrines clockwise. Please don't touch the deities, priests or ritual items.
Visitor Information
Visiting Hours
About 06:00-13:00, 16:00-21:00 (check locally)
Best Time to Visit
December-January (Margazhi) for Tiruppavai; Aadi Pooram (July-August) for the chariot festival
Location
Open in OpenStreetMap
தாமின் புறுவது உலகின் புறக்கண்டு
காமுறுவர் கற்றறிந் தார்.
Their joy is joy of all the world, they see; thus more The learners learn to love their cherished lore.
A kural on learning
Chapter 40 · Learning
Book: Wealth
Thaamin Puruvadhu Ulakin Purak / Kantu Kaamuruvar Katrarin Thaar
English: G. U. Pope (1886), public domain