Vatapatrasayi Temple

The Vatapatrasayi Temple at Srivilliputhur, in the Pandya Nadu region, enshrines the Lord as Vatapatrasayi, who reclines upon the serpent in the posture of cosmic rest, with Sridevi and Bhudevi as consorts of the main deity and Andal separately honoured as an incarnation of Lakshmi; the temple complex is revered as one of the 108 Divya Desams sung in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. The name Vatapatrasayi recalls the form of the infant Lord reposing upon a banyan leaf (vata-patra) afloat upon the waters of dissolution, the sustaining cause of all worlds. The temple’s origins are traced to the 8th century, though its earliest surviving inscriptions date only from the 10th century CE; the complex, comprising three linked shrines to Vatapatrasayi, Andal and Periyalvar within a single granite-walled precinct with its own garden and water bodies, saw construction and endowment across the Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara periods. Its towering 192-foot rajagopuram, raised during the Vijayanagara period in the 15th century, is traditionally said to have been built by Periyalvar himself with prize money won in religious debate, though the tower most widely reproduced on the Tamil Nadu state emblem is disputed by the emblem’s own designer, who identified it instead with Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple West Gopuram. Srivilliputhur is hallowed above almost every other shrine as the birthplace of two of the Alwar saints. It is here that tradition holds Periyalwar, the garland-maker devotee, discovered the infant Andal beneath a tulasi plant in the temple garden and raised her; she grew into the only woman among the twelve Alwars. When the child was found to have worn the garland herself before it was offered to the deity, Periyalwar initially objected, until Vishnu instructed him in a dream to accept only garlands first worn by Andal, a practice continued in the temple to this day. Andal, whose surpassing love made her long to be wedded to Vishnu himself, composed her Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi, the most beloved devotional verses of the Srivaishnava tradition, and tradition holds that she was ultimately united with Ranganatha at Srirangam. The temple is therefore cherished as the cradle of Andal’s devotion and of the daily Thiruppavai recitation observed throughout the month of Margazhi.

Festivals

Srivilliputhur, the birthplace of Andal, observes a festival calendar of unusual richness and is among the most celebrated of the Pandya Nadu shrines. The grandest occasion is Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August), marking Andal’s birthday and the day she is said to have been found in the temple’s tulasi garden; it is observed with great fervour and processions. The Panguni Thirukkalyana Utsavam (March-April) commemorates Andal’s sacred wedding. Other major observances include the Aani Alvar Uthsavam (June-July), Thiruvadipooram (August), Purattasi Utsavam (October), and Ennaikappu (December-January). Vaikunta Ekadasi in Margazhi, the month dear to Andal who composed the Tiruppavai, is observed devoutly. Processions use a temple car fitted with hydraulic wheels to ease its movement.

Location & Access

The Vatapatrasayi temple stands in the heart of Srivilliputhur town in the Virudhunagar district of the old Pandya country, about 80 km south of Madurai, its towering gopuram a landmark of the area. Madurai is the nearest major city and transport hub, reachable by road and rail. The temple follows six daily rituals (Ushathkalam, Kalasanthi, Uchikalam, Sayarakshai, Irandamkalam and Ardha Jamam) in the Thenkalai tradition, and Fridays and Saturdays are noted as especially favoured days to visit. It is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. Verify current darshan timings and travel details with the temple or official sources before visiting.