Sri Villiputhoor – Sri Vadabhatra Saayi Perumal Temple

 

                         

About the Temple & Location:

This temple is situated in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu. When going in train, we have to get down in Sri Villiputtoor Railway station, Via Thenkaasi, Virudhunagar and getting down in the Srivilliputtoor station, we have to go 1 1/2 miles to reach the temple. Bus facility and lodging facility is also available.

Sthlapuranam :

This sthalam was once covered full of trees and lots of plants and it is considered to be a forest type of land. This kind of land was under the rule of Malli, who was a lady, who had two sons, named Villi and Kandan.

Kandan was killed by a tiger in the forest. One day, in the dream of Malli, Sriman Naryanan gave his seva and ordered her that the forest should be destroyed and thereby getting Andanars to live. As the same way told by Sriman Naryanan, the forest was destroyed and the Malli nadu became "Villiputtoor". This sthalam is also called as "Puttoor Pudhuvai".

In 9th Centuary, in Kurodhana yer, Aani Month, Valarpirai Ekadesi, Sunday as the hamsam of Garudan, Periyalwar born in Swathi natshatram (star).

He was also named as "Vishnu Sitthar", since he had always the bhakti towards the Emperumaan in his mind. He constructed a small flower Nandhavanam park (Nandavanam) and planted all of the flower plants, these flowers are made as Garlands and was dedicated to Villiputtoor Sri Rangamannar. Since, he gave his blessings (Aasi) for the perumal by singing the "Pallandu", he was named as "Periyalwar".

At the same 9th century in Nala year, Aadi Month, Valarpirai, Chaturdasi, Tuesday, in poora Natshatram (star) as the hamsam of Bhoomi piratti, Sri Andal was born in the Nandhavanam and was taken care by Periyalwar.

As the daily work, periyalwar used to dedicate the Garlands to Sri Emperumaan, Rangamannar. One day, he saw that the Garland which should be around the thirumeni (body) of Rangamannar is found on the body of Sri Andal. On seeing this, Periyalwar got angry on her and warned her not to repeat the same ever after.

On that day, in the dream of Periyalwar, Sri Rangamannar asked him not to get angry on the action performed by Sri Andal and he too added that from next day, he should be dedicated the Garland which is worn first by Sri Andal and that Garland only should be dedicated to him. He also said that he will accept her love and will marry her soon. Because of this, Sri Andal is popularly called as "Soodi Kodutha Sudar Kodi". Periyalwar explained the beauty of Sri Vishnu in Vada Madhura and in Thirumaaliruncholai, Sri Andal got over joy and had a stubburn mind that she should get married to Sri Vishnu. As her love towards Emperumaan, Sri Ranganathar of Sri Rangam, came in the dream of Periyalwar and asked him to come along with Sri Andal to Thiruvarangam. As his command, Periyalwar along with Sri Andal went to Sri Rangam.

Sri Andal, on seeing Sri Ranganathar started to admire his beauty. Then, Sri Ranganathar acquired Sri Andal towards him and gave the father-in-law position to Periyalwar.

Sri Andal temple is placed close to Vadabathre Saayi temple. 20 Pandha Mandapam is situated in the entrance of Andal temple. After crossing along the left side, one can find the Kalyana Mandapam and after crossing this is the separate sannadhis for Sri Ramar, and Sri Srinivasa Perumal. Then, we have to cross the  Flag Pole (Kodi maram), a mandapam named "Madhavi Mandapam" can be seen and varutues of beautiful paintings of the Emperumaan can be seen. Next to it is the Mani Mandapam and then the Artha Mandapam and then the Moolavr sannadhi is situated.

In Moolavar Sannadhi, Sri Aranganathar having the instrument to ride the Chariot can be seen in Kalyana Kolam is placed along with Sri Andal and Garudan. In all the Vaishnava temples, Garudan is found in the opposite side of the perumal sannadhi, but only in this sthalam, Garuda is positioned along with the Thaayar.

A separate statue is kept for Sri Andal in the Flower Garden known as Nandhavanam, where she was born, which is on the North East direction of Sri Andal temple.

The Arayar sevai, which is sung in Sri Rangam and Thriukurugoor - Alwar Thirunagari, is also sung in this kshetram.

Periyalwar sannadhi is situated on the North side of the temple and he is faced towards the south direction. There are two floors in this temple. In the bottom floor (thaLam), Sri Narashimhar and the 12 Alwars and Dasavatharam of Emperumaan are gracing the visitors. When going through the steps of the bottom  floor, we can reach the upper floor where we can have Darshan of the Moolavar sannadhi, where Vadabadhara Saayi is giving His seva.

In Artha Mandapam, Chakrathalwar, Sri Kannan and Allal Thavirtha piraan Utsavars are situatd.

Festivities (Utsavams):

Thiru Aadi Pooram, which is the birth star of Sri Andal, is done as a big Utsavam and the biggest Chariot is taken out and Sri Andal comes around the Mada streets of Sri Villiputtoor.

In Panguni Utthiram, Sri Andal's Kalyana Utsavam is done, which is one of the specialised utsavam of this temple.

Speciality:

Vyasa Bharatham, which was translated in Tamil by Villiputtoor Alwar, Pattarpiraan Periyalwar who is called as the senior alwar and Sri Andal, all of these 3 great followers of Sriman Narayanan born in this kshetram.

Next to Sri Rangam Gopuram, which is the biggest Gopuram in Asia continent, Srivilliputtoor Temple Tower (Gopuram) is the biggest tower next to Sri Rangam Temple tower.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolvar of this temple is Sri Vadabhatra Saayi. Also named as Ranga Mannaar. Prathyaksham for Mandooga Rishi and Periyalwar.  Moolavar in Bhujanga Sayanam, giving his seva facing along the east direction.

Thaayar: Sri Andal. Also named as Kotha Naachiyaar, Soodi Kodutha Sudar Kodi.

Mangalasasanam:

Periyalwar - 1 Paasuram

Sri Andal - 1 Paasuram
Total - 2 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

Thirumukkulam.

Vimanam:
Samsana Vimaanam.