vaishnava · Tamil Nadu

Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

श्रीविल्लिपुत्तूर् आण्डाळ् मन्दिरम्

Presiding deity: Goddess Andal (Sri Godadevi) and Lord Vatapatrasayi (Vishnu reclining on a banyan leaf)

Established: 8th century CE; the iconic 192-foot rajagopuram was built in the 10th century and serves as the official emblem of the Tamil Nadu Government

Darshan timings

6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM; special Tiruppavai recitation during the 30 days of Margazhi

Average wait

20-30 minutes on weekdays; 2-3 hours during Aadi Pooram and Margazhi Tiruvadhyayanam

Best season

December to February; Margazhi month is sacred as Andal composed the Tiruppavai during this period; Aadi Pooram (July-August) marks Andals birth festival

Daily visitors

5,000-7,000 on regular days; 75,000+ during Aadi Pooram and Margazhi festival days

Significance

Birthplace of Andal, the only female Alvar among the twelve Vaishnava saint-poets, who composed the Tiruppavai (30 verses) and Nachiyar Tirumozhi; one of the 108 Divya Desams and the southern gateway of Sri Vaishnava bridal mysticism

Legend

Periyalvar discovered the infant Andal under a tulasi plant in the temple garden; she grew up garlanding Vishnu daily by first wearing the garland herself, and ultimately merged with Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam during her wedding procession at age 15

How to reach

Srivilliputhur is 75 km from Madurai on the Madurai-Sankarankovil road; frequent TNSTC buses from Madurai, Virudhunagar (45 km) and Rajapalayam (15 km)

Nearest airport: Madurai International Airport (78 km); Tuticorin Airport (135 km)

Nearest railway: Srivilliputhur Railway Station (2 km) on the Madurai-Tenkasi line; Virudhunagar Junction (45 km) for major connections

Where to stay

Hotel Andal Residency, Hotel Sri Andal Palace and temple-run Devasthanam guesthouse; better hotels available in Madurai or Rajapalayam

Primary pujas performed here

Tiruppavai Parayanam
Andal Tirukalyanam
Garuda Sevai
Pavithrotsavam
Aadi Pooram Abhishekam
Margazhi Neeratam

What to offer: Fresh tulasi garlands, akkaravadisal (sweet rice), butter, milk and silk sarees for Andal; bananas and betel leaves

Dress code

Traditional Indian attire mandatory; men in dhoti or pants with shirt, women in saree or salwar kameez; no shorts or sleeveless garments inside sanctum

Photo policy

Photography prohibited inside the sanctum and inner prakaram; permitted in outer courtyards with prior permission from temple office

Modern access

Annual Aadi Pooram festival hosts the symbolic wedding of Andal to Sri Rangamannar with TN government participation; UNESCO has recognised the temple gopuram as a heritage structure; Tiruppavai recitation has spread to Vaishnava centres worldwide

✓ Online booking available✓ VIP darshan available

Nearby tirthas

rajapalayam-ayyanar-koil
sankarankovil-sankaranarayanan
tirumalai-kumaraswamy
azhagar-koil