Andal

For other uses, see Andal (disambiguation).

Andal
Painting of Andal
Personal
Born
Kothai

7th century CE
Srivilliputhur
ReligionHinduism
SpouseRangamannar as Ranganatha (according to Sri Vaishnava tradition)
Parent
Organization
PhilosophySri Vaishnavism
Religious career
ReincarnationBhudevi (according to Sri Vaishnava tradition), Vijaya Lakshmi, MahaLakshmi
Literary worksTiruppavai, Nachiyar Tirumoli
This article contains Tamil script. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks or boxes, misplaced vowels or missing conjuncts instead of Tamil script.
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Vaishnavism
Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
Supreme deity
Vishnu / Krishna / Rama
Important deities
Dashavatara
Other forms
Consorts
Related
Holy scriptures
Puranas
Sampradayas
Others
Teachers—acharyas
Related traditions

Andal (Tamil: ஆண்டாள்; ISO 15919: Āṇḍāḷ), also known as Kothai, Nachiyar, and Godadevi, was the only female Alvar among the twelve Hindu poet-saints of South India. She was posthumously considered an avatar of the goddess Bhudevi. As with the Alvar saints, she was affiliated with the Sri Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. Scholars believe her to have been active in the 8th-century CE,[1][2] with some suggesting 7th century CE.[3][note 1]

Andal is credited with two great Tamil works, Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumoḻi, which are still recited by devotees during the winter festival season of Margaḻi. Andal is a prominent figure for women in South India and has inspired several women's groups, such as Goda Mandali.[5]

  1. ^ Bryant, Edwin Francis (2007). Krishna: A Sourcebook. Oxford University Press. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-19-803400-1.
  2. ^ Chitnis, Krishnaji Nageshrao (2003). Medieval Indian History. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 116. ISBN 978-81-7156-062-2.
  3. ^ a b S. M. Srinivasa Chari (1 January 1997). Philosophy and Theistic Mysticism of the Āl̲vārs. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-81-208-1342-7.
  4. ^ Greg Bailey; Ian Kesarcodi-Watson (1992). Bhakti Studies. Sterling Publishers. ISBN 978-81-207-0835-8.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pintchman was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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