Vatapatrasayi Temple (Srivilliputhur Andal Temple)

Sthala Purāṇam

Thiruvilliputhur, the Vatapatrasayi temple at Srivilliputhur, holds the singular glory of being the birthplace of two Alvars: Periyalvar (born Vishnuchittar) and Andal (Kothai, Goda), an incarnation of Bhudevi. The Lord Vatapatrasayi reclines (sayana thirukkolam) upon Adisesha, facing east, with Sridevi and Bhudevi at His feet; the name parses as vata (banyan), pathra (leaf) and sayi (one who reclines). It is a famed twin shrine, with Andal's sannidhi to the southwest, where she appears uniquely with Rangamannar (a form of Ranganatha) and Garudazhwar. The name Srivilliputhur recalls its founding: a queen had two sons, Villi and Kandan; when a tiger killed Kandan, Villi, guided by a divine dream, founded a city named after himself, Sri-Villi-Puthur, the new town of Villi. The banyan-leaf legend underlies the Lord's name, for Vishnu is held to have reclined here upon a banyan leaf as the cosmic child during the deluge. The temple's beloved episode is that of Andal, found by Periyalvar as an infant beneath a tulsi plant: she would wear the garland woven for the Lord and admire her reflection before it was offered. Distressed at the discovery, Periyalvar was reassured when Vishnu appeared in his dream desiring only the garland worn by Andal, who was thereafter named Soodikkodutha Sudarkodi, the lady who gave her garland to the Lord. Andal composed the Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi, and is believed to have merged with Ranganatha at Srirangam. The temple tank is the Thirumukkulam (Triveni), formed of three rivers.

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