ஶ்ரீவில்லிப்புத்தூர் ஆண்டாள் திருக்கோயில்
82 km to the southwest of Madurai, about a 90 minute drive, lies this vast and beautiful twin temple complex. It is a Divya Desam Vishnu temple. One part of the temple is dedicated to the woman alvaar saint Aandaal, who was born here in the 8th century. The main deity Vadapatrasayi is a reclining form of the Lord Vishnu. The idol is large, colourful and made of stucco. There are three entrances to the sanctum, one for the head, one for the body and one for the feet.
It is an ancient temple built over the ages with original Pandian construction with later contributions from Chola, Vijayanagar, Nayakkan and other dynasties. There is some evidence that the temple in some form had existed since the 8th century. The earliest inscriptions are from the 10th century. A lot of inscriptions in Vatteluthu and fish symbols are here denoting the Pandian influence. Much of the current masonry is from the Vijayanagar and Nayakkan eras starting in the 15th century. The great king Thirumalai Nayakkar renovated this temple in the 17th century. Some of the finest and most unique sculptures and paintings from the Nayakkan era exist here. Many believe that the Tamil Nadu state government emblem is designed after the rajagopuram here. It is disputed by some who believe that it is based on the west gopuram at Madurai Meenakshi.
Two of the most revered Tamil Vaishnavite saints Periyazhvaar and Aandaal were born here. It is spiritually important and an architectural gem. It is a Divya Desam temple. An amazing temple and a must visit.
We visited in August 2019. We were based in Madurai.
Credits: Google Maps
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