LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: Sri Rangamannar Temple
or Commonly Known as Andal Temple is situated at Srivalliputhur, a small town
to the south of Madurai, Tamilnadu, India.
HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE: Priyalwar
was born in this place and 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) 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". 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 his daughter 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.
