Virtual Shrine of Goddess Andal
Universal Divine Mother. (BHOODEVI). Goddess of Earth, wanted
to enjoy the beauty and splendor of planet Earth. She accordingly manifested Herself as a
little girl in the flower garden attached to the temple in Srivilliputtur. a small town in
South India. Sri Ranganatha (incarnation of Vishnu) was the deity in this temple.
Perialwar, an ardent devotee of Sri Ranganatha was, as as usual,
collecting flowers in the temple garden, when he noticed this beautiful child in the midst
of tulsi plants. When he picked up the little baby, an invisible voice tol d him to rear
the child as his own daughter. Perialwar did as he was instructed.
The child was given the narne of Kothal. As she was growing up she
assisted her father in collecting flowers making garlands and visiting the temple. She was
also getting attached to Ranganatha. One day, when she was reaching girlhood, she felt an
urge to wear the garland, which was very fragrant, before sending it to the temple. She
did likewise and this practice continued for some time.
The temple priest noticed a lock of hair
in the garland one day and refused to use it on the Lord. He blamed Perialwar for his
carelessness. Perialwar scolded Kothai and made another garland of fresh flowers, though
they were not as fragrant as the discarded one. That night the Lord appeared in
Perialwar's dream and revealed the true identity of Kothai. and that he would wear only
those garlands, which were already worn by Kothai. A similar message was conveyed to the
priests and others in their dreams Thus everybody came to know the true identity of Kothai
or Andal. She ultimately got married and merged with God.
