SNIPPETS OF INFORMATION
HINDU TEMPLES, TAMILNADU
* 27 Aug 2021
Srivilliputhur Temple, Virudhunagar district is one of the 108 divya desams.
Srivilliputhur, with its twin temples, dedicated to the deities
Vatapatrasayee and Andal-Rangamannar, is a place of high religious
importance. The tall towers, massive car, huge tank, sculpted pillars,
ancient Ramayana frescoes and modern wall paintings depicting the Lords
of 108 Divyadesams, numerous inscriptions dating back to the rule of
Pandya kings, fine rectangular hall with a wooden roof and above all its
unique "Thiruppavai Vimanam" speak volumes of their rich architectural
heritage.
There are over a dozen monolithic pillars with exquisite images in the Dwajasthamba (flagstaff) mandapam of the Andal temple.
The Manimandapam in front of the Mahamandapam is marked for its fine workmanship in stone and wood.
The Vatapatrasayee Temple, believed to have existed even before
Periyazhwar's time, is considered to be 2000-years-old. It is a
"Maadakkovil" with a shrine for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha on the ground
floor and one has to climb a few steps to worship Lord Vatapatrasayee.
The two temples contain over 60 inscriptions in "Vattezhuthu" in the
tower, Dwajasthambam, walls of the central shrines and mandapams.
They date back to the 10th century or even earlier during the reign of
Pandya kings. Most of the inscriptions speak about the lands and other
gifts made to the two temples. Srivilliputtur is mentioned as "Malli
Valanadu"
Source: Architectural grandeur, T.A.Srinivasan, The Hindu, Aug 12, 2005
Legend: According to temple inscriptions, there were two brothers VILLI
and KANTHA (also known as PUTHUR) in Vateswarapuram. While hunting in
the forest, Kanthan was killed by a tiger and on seeing this Villi
fainted. In his dream, Lord Vateswara promised to give his brother’s
life back and ordered him to built a temple on His name. Villi woke up
to find Kantha alive. In gratitude, they built a beautiful temple to
the Lord in this village. They found the idol of Lord Vateswara under a
banyan tree and installed the idol of Lord VATESWARA. The Lord Vateswara
is also known as VATAPATRASAYEE (One who is lying down under a banyan
tree).
History: It is believed that the shrine of Vatapathra Shayi is 2000 years
old built by Villi and Puthur. The temple is also called as Periya Perumal
Temple.
- It is a tradition followed here that the flower garland of Goddess
Andal is sent to Tirumala Temple, Andhrapradesh one day before the
annual brahmotsavam of Lord Venkateswara Swamy.
- Like wise the lord's garland of Tirumala Temple is sent to wedding
ceremony of Sri Andal with Sri Rangamannar in the month of
Panguni (March / April).
- The lord of SriRangam also wears the Garland of Goddess Andal during Chithirai festival in Madurai.
Source: allgodscollections.com
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