Andal - The Tamizh Saint/Poet
Andal, born Kothai, was a Sangam-era Tamil poet-saint who existed as early as the 7th or 8th century. She was the only female among the 12 poet-saints called alvars of Tamil Nadu, South India. The alvars were great devotees of Lord Vishnu and contributed immensely to the Vaishnavite sect of Hinduism. Andal's hair is depicted as being bunned to the side and adorned with jasmine flowers and elaborate jewellery; a style unique to ancient Tamizh culture. She is credited with the literary works, Thiruppavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi, which are written in Tamizh verse and still recited by devotees during the festive season today.
According to literary texts, Andal's story begins with Periyalvar, a great devotee of Perumal, now more commonly known as Vishnu of the Hindu Patheon. Periyalvar strung fresh garlands for Vishnu every day. He longed for a child and prayed for that longing to subside. One day, he found a baby girl under a Thulasi plant in the garden within the Srivilliputhur temple grounds. As she miraculously appeared, she was thought to be a reincarnation of the Earth Goddess Bhudevi or Bhumi. He named the child Kothai, or pure one.
Kothai grew up as a devotee of Vishnu and spent her youth stringing garlands made of thulasi leaves and flowers and writing poetry dedicated to the lord. She is believed to have worn each garland she made before dedicating it to the lord of the temple. When Periyalvar came to know that Kothai was wearing the garland before offering it to the lord, he became highly upset. Abiding by her father's wishes, Kothai placed a garland unworn by her on the Vishnu idol only for it to fall no matter how many times she tried. Later that night, Vishnu appeared in Periyalvar's dream informing him that he would only accept a garland worn by Kothai. Kothai was thus named Andal and was referred to as "Chudikodutha Sudarkodi", meaning the woman who wore and gave her garland to Vishnu.
Following another vision Periyalvar took Andal to the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam where Andal was reunited with an reincarnation of Vishnu as his bride. Andal is said to have disappeared in the Sri Ranganatha temple. Legend states that she merged into gold but no one really knows what became of her. By the 16th century, devotees started worshipping Andal as a goddess. Her birthday and wedding day is celebrated as Adi Puram during the Tamil month of Adi (mid-July to mid-August in the Gregorian calendar) and her ascension is celebrated as Panguni Uthiram during the Tamil month of Panguni (mid-March to mid-April).
Andal is the inspiration behind our Andal candle which combines the aroma of thulasi, lime and florals. The mellow cirtusy-floral scent pays homage to this iconic personality in Tamizh religious history.