The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Thousands of devotees likely to throng Srivilliputtur today

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Thousands of devotees likely to throng Srivilliputtur today

To witness the annual car festival at Natchiar Temple

Thousands of devotees from across the State are expected to throng Srivilliputtur on Saturday to witness the annual car festival at Natchiar Temple.

It is the highlight of 12-day Adipooram brahmotsavam of Sri Andal Temple that began with flag-hoisting on July 17.

The festival marks the adoption of presiding deity, Sri Andal, by Periyazhwar after he had found her near a Tulsi plant in the nandavanam of Vadabadrasai Temple at Srivilliputtur on the eighth day of the Tamil month of Adi.

Hindu mythology

According to Hindu mythology, Andal, who was then named ‘Kodhai,’ was brought up by Periyazhwar.

Kodhai’s deep devotion towards Lord Vishnu turned into love for the God and she wanted to marry Sri Ranganathaswamy of Srirangam.

Adorns

She used to try the garlands made by her father every day before they were adorned by the presiding deity of the Srivilliputtur temple.

When Periyazhawar came to know about this, he avoided adorning the Lord with the garland worn by her.

One day, Lord Vishnu appeared in the dream of Periyazhwar and insisted that the garlands tried by Kodhai should adorn Him. Since then, Kodhai came to be known as Andal.

Answering the prayers of Periyazhwar to marry Andal, Lord Ranganathaswamy of Srirangam, came to Srivilliputtur and married her.

The temple, one of the 108 ‘Divyadesams’ for Vaishnavaites, has lent its tower as the emblem of Tamil Nadu Government.

S. Sundar

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