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Aadi Pooram at Srivilliputhur: a town pulls the chariot for Andal
A whole town hauls a towering chariot for the poet-saint found under a tulsi
Aadi Pooram is the birthday of Andal, the only woman among the twelve Alvar poet-saints of Tamil Vaishnavism, and the main festival of her temple at Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar district, about 80 km from Madurai. It falls on the day of the Pooram star (a nakshatra, or lunar mansion) in the Tamil month of Aadi, between mid-July and mid-August. The flag goes up eight days earlier, and on the morning of Aadi Pooram the town hauls the temple car with Andal and Rangamannar through the four car streets. Next: 28 July – 5 August 2027 (expected).
The temple announces the car day at the flag-hoisting, about eight days ahead; the Virudhunagar collector declares a local holiday about a week before.
The legend
By tradition Periyalvar, a devotee of Vishnu, found a baby girl under a tulasi plant in the temple garden and raised her. She was named Kothai, later Andal.
Andal secretly wore the garlands made for Vishnu. Her father was upset, but Vishnu told him in a dream to offer only garlands she had worn.
Andal lived in the 8th century; her Tiruppavai is still recited in the month of Margazhi. Aadi Pooram is her birthday and the temple's main festival.
Customs
Andal's chariot
On the morning of Aadi Pooram the whole town hauls the towering temple car by its ropes; the festival flag goes up eight days before.
Andal's garland
The garland custom lives on: the garland worn by Andal is sent to other temples, to Kallazhagar near Madurai and to Tirumala.
Words of the festival
ஆடிப் பூரம்
Aadi Pooram
The day of the Pooram star in the Tamil month of Aadi (July–August): Andal's birthday.
The festival and the car day
The festival runs for about nine days from the flag hoisting at the temple mast. Its peak is the last morning. After early special pujas, the presiding deities, Andal and Sri Rangamannar, are carried in decorated palanquins to the temple car, and the car is drawn by ropes around the four car streets that frame the temple. Thousands of people come from across Tamil Nadu, and the Virudhunagar collector declares a local holiday about a week before.
The temple announces the car day at the flag hoisting, so the exact date is firm about eight days ahead. When the Pooram star falls twice in the month of Aadi, the temple follows the later one.
Andal, the girl found under a tulasi
By tradition, Periyalvar, a devotee of Vishnu and himself one of the Alvars, found a baby girl under a tulasi (holy basil) plant in the temple garden and raised her as his daughter, Kothai. As a girl she secretly wore the garlands her father made for the deity before he offered them. When Periyalvar found out he was upset, but Vishnu told him in a dream to offer only garlands she had worn. From this she is called Chudikodutha Sudarkodi, the lady who gave her worn garland.
Andal lived around the 8th century. Her poem Tiruppavai is recited across the Tamil country every year in the month of Margazhi. Tradition holds that she married Ranganatha of Srirangam and merged with his image; for that reason the deity beside her at Srivilliputhur is Rangamannar, Ranga the king. The garland custom continues: Andal's garland is sent to Kallazhagar near Madurai for Chitra Pournami and to Tirumala for Garudotsavam in the month of Puratasi. Srirangam's own great festival is Vaikunta Ekadasi.
The temple
The temple has two parts inside one granite wall: Andal's shrine to the south-west, where she stands with Rangamannar and Garuda, and the Vatapatrasayi (Vishnu) temple to the north-east. The wall also encloses the garden where Andal is said to have been found. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and is held to be the birthplace of two Alvars, Periyalvar and Andal. Its rajagopuram (main gateway tower) is about 59 metres (192 ft) tall. The temple is run by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
Srivilliputhur also sends something to Andhra Pradesh: the sandal paste that covers the deity of Simhachalam all year is said to be brought from here, see Chandanotsavam.
Planning the car day
Aadi Pooram is a town festival rather than a mass pilgrimage, which makes it easier to plan than Tamil Nadu's biggest events.
- Wait for the flag — Confirm the car day when the temple hoists the flag, about eight days before, and then fix your travel.
- Be there early — The deities are brought to the car after the early morning pujas, so arrive in town the evening before or at first light.
- Keep clear of the wheels — Watch from the side of the car streets, leave the ropes to those pulling, and follow police instructions. See is India safe for crowds.
- At the temple — Shoes off before entering, and follow what the people around you do. Dress modestly, as for any working temple.
FAQ
When is Aadi Pooram?
Next: 28 July – 5 August 2027 (expected). The car festival is on the day of the Pooram star in the Tamil month of Aadi, between mid-July and mid-August; the temple confirms it at the flag hoisting eight days before.
What is Aadi Pooram?
The birthday of Andal, the poet-saint of Srivilliputhur, marked by the day of the Pooram star in Aadi. At her temple it is the main festival of the year, ending with the car procession.
Who was Andal?
The only woman among the twelve Alvars, found as a baby under a tulasi plant by Periyalvar and raised by him. She lived around the 8th century, and her Tiruppavai is still recited every Margazhi.
Why is Andal's garland sent to other temples?
Because Vishnu, by tradition, asked to receive only garlands Andal had worn. Her garland still goes to Kallazhagar near Madurai and to Tirumala for their festivals.
Where is Srivilliputhur?
In Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, about 80 km from Madurai.
Sources (3)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.