Andal (āṇḍāḷ)

(Language: Tamil)

Short Description: Daughter of Visnucitta who belonged to Srivilliputtur in Tirunel­veli district.

Long Description: Daughter of Visnucitta who belonged to Srivilliputtur in Tirunel­veli district. The story goes that Visnucitta found Andal on a bed of tulasi in his garden. The girl grew up to be a great devotee of Visnu (her original name was Coda or Kodai). Her compositions exemplify bridal mysticism and include the Tiruppavai and the Nacciyar-Tirumozhi which form part of the Nalayira‑Divyaprabandham. Both daughter and father are included among the twelve Azhvars qv); the father came to be called Perivazhvar.