Temples in Srivilliputtur

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Vatapatrasayee Temple

The main Deity in this temple, Sri Vatapatrasayee, is a light-blue Lord Vishnu Deity reclining on His couch of Adi Seasa. Sri Devi and Bhu Devi are at His feet. Bhrigu Muni is by His head and Markandeya is near His feet. The Deity is so large, He is viewed from three doorways. The altar is on an upper floor. This temple is also called Vadabardrasaikoil.

On the side of the temple is the original tualsi garden that was cared for by Vishnu Chitta (Peria Alwar), the father of Andal. He used to make flower garlands for Lord Vishnu with the flowers grown in this garden.

Sri Andal Temple

Next to the Vatapatrasayee Temple is a temple dedicated to Sri Andal, who was said to have merged into the body of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam. Sri Andal, also known as Godadevi, is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess of fortune who was married to the Deity, Sri Ranganatha. She wrote two works Tiruppavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi, which express her burning love of God.

She was the daughter of one of the 12 Alwars named Peria Alwar, who was also called Vishnu Cittar. According to tradition, Peria Alwar used to take care of the flower and tulasi garden of the Vishnu temple in Srivilliputtur around the 8th century.

While tending the garden he found Andal as a baby and then brought her up. When her foster father tried to find a husband for her she refused any mortal man and said that she would only marry the Lord. Peria Alwar had a dream in which Lord Vishnu requested him to bring Andal to Srirangam so He could marry her. When she saw the image of Sri Ranganatha she merged with Him.

The Vishnu Deity's name in the Sri Andal Temple is Rangamannar. The gopuram of the Sri Andal Temple is 192 feet high and has 12 stories. This is the second highest temple tower in Tamil Nadu, the first biggest being at Srirangam. Peria Alwar is said to have built this tower with gold that he won in religious debates held in Vallabhadeva Pandya's court at Madurai.

For festivals, the temple has a wooden cart that has 9 gigantic wheels. It is said to be the biggest temple cart in India. The cart is over a hundred years old and takes 3,000 people to pull. There is a shrine dedicated to Peria Alwar next to the tulasi garden, south of the main shrine.