Andal Jayanti 2025

 

Date: Monday, 28 July 2025

• Tithi: Celebrated on Pooram Nakshatram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July–August)
• Nakshatra Timing:
• Begins: 27 July 2025 at 4:23 PM
• Ends: 28 July 2025 at 5:35 PM

This day is also known as Aadi Pooram, marking the birth anniversary of Goddess Andal, the only female Alvar saint.

Significance of Andal Jayanti

• Goddess Andal is revered as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and the epitome of bhakti (devotion).
• She is celebrated for her unwavering love for Lord Vishnu, particularly in His form as Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam.
• Andal’s poetic works—Tiruppavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi—are devotional masterpieces still recited daily in Vaishnavite temples.
• The festival also honors Shakti energy, as the month of Aadi is considered sacred for feminine divinity.

Rituals & Celebrations

• Tirukalyanam (Divine Wedding): A symbolic wedding ceremony between Andal and Lord Ranganatha is performed in temples like Srivilliputhur and Srirangam.
• Valaikappu Ceremony: Glass bangles are offered to Andal and then distributed to women. Wearing them is believed to bring fertility, protection during pregnancy, and marital blessings.
• Alankaram (Decoration): The deity is adorned with silk, flowers, and jewelry in a grand alangaram.
• Recitation of Tiruppavai: Devotees chant Andal’s hymns and offer sweet pongal, kalkandu rice, and lotus flowers as naivedyam.
• Kolam & Rangoli: Homes and temples are decorated with intricate kolams to welcome the goddess.

Legends of Andal

• Divine Birth: Andal, also known as Goda Devi, was found as a baby under a Tulsi plant in the garden of Srivilliputhur temple by the saint Periyalvar (Vishnuchittar).
• Garland Offering: As a child, she would secretly wear the Tulsi garland meant for Lord Vishnu. When her father discovered this and replaced it, the Lord refused the new one—declaring He would only accept the garland worn by Andal.
• Spiritual Marriage: Andal considered herself the bride of Lord Vishnu and composed hymns expressing her longing. Eventually, she was spiritually united with Lord Ranganatha, disappearing into His sanctum at Srirangam.

Scriptural Reference 

Divya Prabandham (Dravida Veda)

• Andal is one of the 12 Alwars, the only female saint among them, and is considered an incarnation of Bhudevi, the Earth goddess and consort of Lord Vishnu.
• Her two poetic works:
• Tiruppavai – 30 hymns sung during the month of Margazhi, expressing her deep devotion to Lord Vishnu.
• Nachiyar Tirumozhi – A passionate expression of her longing for union with Lord Ranganatha.
• These hymns are part of the 4000 Divya Prabandham verses, often referred to as the Dravida Veda, and are recited in Vishnu temples across South India.

Temple Connection

• Srivilliputhur Temple, where Andal was found under a Tulsi plant by Periyalvar, is one of the 108 Divya Desams—sacred Vishnu temples mentioned in the Divya Prabandham.
• The temple and its rituals are considered living scriptures, where Andal’s divine life is enacted and celebrated annually on Aadi Pooram (Andal Jayanti).