Andal, Beloved of Lord Vishnu

Though the Hindu pantheon of gods runs into hundreds, two main cults or sects can be easily discerned all over the country. They are the Siva worshipping Saivites and the Vishnu worshipping Vaishnavites. (Siva and Vishnu along with Brahma form the Great Trinity and are the gods of destruction, protection and creation respectively)

The glory of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu have been immortalized in the verses of their chosen devotees; the ones who embraced Vaishnavism were known as the Alwars. Chief among them was Andal or Goda Devi. Legend has it that she was the Divine Consort herself and came down to Earth as a human to perpetuate the glory of the Lord. She was the daughter of Periazhwar, (himself one of the Azhwars) who found her nestled under a sacred Tulsi (basil) plant. He adopted her and named her "Kodai".

Koda grew up a devout child, with her mind and lips always humming Lord Vishnu's name. It wasn't difficult with her home at Srivilliputhur, a temple town in South India and with her father, one of His ardent devotees. Her devotion was a rare form of Bhakti that was elevated to pure love wherein she thought of the Lord as her husband and beloved. Koda strung the huge, beautiful garlands every day that adorned the shoulders of the idol. In her mystic love, she tried them on herself and then gave it to her Lord. That is why she was also known as "Choodi Kodutha Chudarkodii"- the jewel who wore the Lord's garlands.

One day, her father caught her unawares, admiring herself in the mirror with the garlands. He was scandalized and mortified beyond belief that his daughter could so defile a sacred adornment. But, he later came to realize his daughter's beautiful soul and watched with tears in his eyes, as she became one with the Lord. Andal is better known for her soul-stirring verses in praise of the Lord, called the Thiruppavai. It is a plaint of a young woman, who has undertaken a fast and who is calling out to her friends to join her in this quest for spiritual elevation. The Vaishnavites pay homage to "Andal" the one who ruled Him, by reciting Thiruppavai everyday in the early hours of the month of Margazhi (December-January ).

To know more about this woman-saint and her immortal verses, explore the links in "Festivals"

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