Story of Goda Devi (Andal) - Tirumala Tirupati Yatra
Her first work is the Thiruppavai, a collection of 30 verses in which Andal imagines herself to be a Gopi, one of the cowherd girls known for their unconditional devotion to Lord Krishna. In Thiruppavai, Andal idolized Radha as the ideal gopi and also invoked the gopis of Braj.[13]
In these verses, she describes the yearning to serve Lord Vishnu and achieve happiness not just in one lifetime, but for all eternity. She also describes the religious vows (pavai) that she and her fellow cowherd girls will observe for this purpose. It is said that Thiruppavai is the nectar of Vedas and teaches philosophical values, moral values, ethical values, pure love, devotion, dedication, single-minded aim, virtues, and the ultimate goal of life.[14][15]
Nachiar Tirumozhi
Nachiar Tirumozhi
The second work by Andal is the Nachiar Tirumozhi, a poem of 143 verses. "Thirumozhi" literally means "Sacred Sayings" in a Tamil poetic style and "Nachiar" means Goddess. Therefore, the title means "Sacred Sayings of the Goddess." This poem fully reveals Andal's intense longing for Vishnu, the Divine Beloved. Utilizing classical Tamil poetic conventions and interspersing stories from the Vedas and Puranas, Andal creates imagery that is possibly unparalleled in the whole gamut of Indian religious literature.
In Nachiar Tirumazhi, Andal craves for the Lord and says she would offer the Lord a 1000 pots of "akkarvadisal" if He marries her, which was later fulfilled by Saint Ramanuja in the 11th century.
Nevertheless, conservative vaisnava institutions do not encourage the propagation of Nachiar Tirumozhi as much as they encourage Thiruppavai because Nachiar Tirumozhi belongs to an erotic genre of spirituality that is similar to Jayadeva's Gita Govinda.[16][17][18][19][20]
Significance in Southern India
Andal Temple of the Hoysala period, Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
Andal is one of the best-loved poet-saints of the Tamils.
In Nachiar Tirumazhi, Andal craves for the Lord and says she would offer the Lord a 1000 pots of "akkarvadisal" if He marries her, which was later fulfilled by Saint Ramanuja in the 11th century.
Nevertheless, conservative vaisnava institutions do not encourage the propagation of Nachiar Tirumozhi as much as they encourage Thiruppavai because Nachiar Tirumozhi belongs to an erotic genre of spirituality that is similar to Jayadeva's Gita Govinda.[16][17][18][19][20]
Significance in Southern India
Andal Temple of the Hoysala period, Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
Andal is one of the best-loved poet-saints of the Tamils.
Pious tradition holds her to be the incarnation of Bhūmi Devi (Sri Lakshmi as Mother Earth) to show humanity the way to Lord Vishnu's lotus feet.
Representations of her next to Vishnu are present in all vaishnava temples. During the month of Margazhi, discourses on the Thiruppavai in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi take place all over India.[21]
The Srivilliputhur Divya Desam at Srivilliputhur consists of twin temples, one of which is dedicated to Andal. Most South Indian Vishnu temples have a separate shrine for Andal. There are a number of festivals dedicated to Andal, among the most notable being the Pavai Nonbu in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December – January), Andal Thirukalyanam in Panguni, Pagalpathu, Rapathu, Adi Thiruvizha, when Andal is depicted seated in the lap of Ranganathar.[22]
Andal is known for her unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu, the God of the Gods. Adopted by her father, Periyalvar, Andal avoided earthly marriage, the normal and expected path for women of her culture, to marry Vishnu, both spiritually and physically. In many places in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Andal is treated more than a saint and as a form of a Goddess herself and a shrine for Andal is dedicated in most Vishnu temples.[23]
Thousands of people from the state Tamil Nadu participate in the "Aadi Pooram" festival celebrated in the Andal Temple. After early morning special pujaas, the presiding deities, Shri Rengamannar and Goddess Andal are taken in decorated palanquins to the car.
Thousands of people from the state Tamil Nadu participate in the "Aadi Pooram" festival celebrated in the Andal Temple. After early morning special pujaas, the presiding deities, Shri Rengamannar and Goddess Andal are taken in decorated palanquins to the car.
The festival marks the adoption of presiding deity, Andal, by Periyazhwar after he found her near a Tulsi plant in the garden of Vatapatrasayi Temple at Srivilliputhur on the eighth day of the Tamil month of Aadi.[24][25] For Tirupati Brahmotsavam, garlands worn to Andal in Srivilliputhur temple are sent to Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
These traditional garlands are made of tulasi, sevanthi and sampangi flowers. These garlands are worn by Lord Venkateswara during the Garuda seva procession.[26] Every year Tirupati Venkateswara's garland is sent to Srivilliputtur Andal for marriage festival of Andal.[27] Andal garland is also sent to Madurai Kallazhagar temple for the Chithirai Festival.[27]
In poetry, 9th-century Andal became a well known Bhakti movement poetess, states Pintchman, and historical records suggest that by 12th-century she was a major inspiration to Hindu women in south India and elsewhere.[6] Andal continues to inspire hundreds of classical dancers in modern times choreographing and dancing Andal's songs.[6] Andal is also called Goda, and her contributions to the arts have created Goda Mandali (circle of Andal) in the Vaishnava tradition.[6]
Through poetry of saints (such as Andal) women are thought to be able to connect with the Lord directly and those words are thought to encapsulate their personal emotions.[6]
Goda Mandali (circle) which was named after Andal was formed in 1970 and reorganized in 1982 spreads Andal songs widely through TV and radio programs.[6] The group would gather weekly to learn songs and would sing at events such as festivals where they would raise money for shrines.[6]
In poetry, 9th-century Andal became a well known Bhakti movement poetess, states Pintchman, and historical records suggest that by 12th-century she was a major inspiration to Hindu women in south India and elsewhere.[6] Andal continues to inspire hundreds of classical dancers in modern times choreographing and dancing Andal's songs.[6] Andal is also called Goda, and her contributions to the arts have created Goda Mandali (circle of Andal) in the Vaishnava tradition.[6]
Through poetry of saints (such as Andal) women are thought to be able to connect with the Lord directly and those words are thought to encapsulate their personal emotions.[6]
Goda Mandali (circle) which was named after Andal was formed in 1970 and reorganized in 1982 spreads Andal songs widely through TV and radio programs.[6] The group would gather weekly to learn songs and would sing at events such as festivals where they would raise money for shrines.[6]
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