Srivilliputhur Andal Temple: The Towering Rajagopuram on Tamil Nadu's State Emblem
Birthplace of poet-saint Andal: the 11-tiered 192-foot Rajagopuram featured on the official Government of Tamil Nadu seal, and sacred Palkova milk sweet.
The Symbol of Tamil Nadu's Architectural Identity
Located 80 kilometers southwest of Madurai in Virudhunagar district, Shri Andal Temple at Srivilliputhur holds a unique pride of place in South India: its monumental 11-tiered, 192-foot-tall stone-and-brick Rajagopuram is officially immortalized as the central emblem on the State Seal of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Divine Poet-Saint Andal
Srivilliputhur is the sacred birthplace of Andal (Kothai), the revered 8th-century female poet-saint of the Vaishnavite Alwar tradition who composed the immortal 30-verse devotional masterpiece Thiruppavai and Nachiar Thirumozhi. Here, she famously wore garlands intended for Lord Vadapathrasayee before offering them to the deity, earning her the title Soodi Kodutha Sudarkodi.
Srivilliputhur Palkova
No journey to Srivilliputhur is complete without savoring authentic Srivilliputhur Palkova, a GI-tagged rich traditional milk sweet made solely by slow-simmering fresh cow's milk and sugar in large open copper vats over firewood flames.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Srivilliputhur from Madurai?
Srivilliputhur is located 75 km from Madurai airport, taking approximately 1.5 hours by private car via NH-744.
Is Srivilliputhur Andal Temple one of the 108 Divya Desams?
Yes. It is officially the 44th Divya Desam dedicated to Lord Vishnu worshipped as Vadapathrasayee reclining on a banyan leaf.
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