Srivilliputhur

Srivilliputhur is a Municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As of 2011, the town had a population of 75,396. The most important landmark of Thiruvilliputhur is 11-tiered tower structure dedicated to the Vatapatrasayee (Vishnu), the presiding deity of the Srivilliputhur Divya Desam. The tower of this temple rises 192 feet high and is the official symbol of the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is said to have been built by Periyalvar, in the year 788 CE and believed to be the adopted father of the temple deity, with a purse of gold that he won in debates held in the palace of Pandya King Vallabhadeva. Thiruvilliputhur is well known for its ancient heritage and devotional contributions. It is on the Virudhunagar - Sengottai line of the Southern Railway, about 74 km south of Madurai and connected by road and rail with Madurai, Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil & Sengottai, Sivakasi and Sattur. இந்த ஊரில் சிறப்பு என்னவென்றால் அந்த ஊரில் கண்ணன் எனும் ஒரு மாவீரன் வாழ்கிறான் As per historical legend, the land around Srivilliputhur was under the rule of Queen Malli. The queen had two sons called Villi and Kandan. While the two were hunting in a forest, a tiger killed Kandan. Unaware of this, Villi searched for his brother, got tired and fell asleep. In his dream, divinity narrated to him what happened to his brother. By divine orders, Villi founded a city. The city is originally named after its founder, Villi forming the word Sri-Villi-Puthur and also known as Mallivalanaadu. Thiru is the Tamil salutation and an alternative to Sanskrit word "Sri" and that is why it is also called as a Thiruvilliputhur. As per another legend, the town is called the town of the bowman from the Tamil word villi meaning bow. The history of Srivilliputhur centres around the Srivilliputhur Temple, dedicated to Andal (8th century or earlier), the only female Alvar of the 12 Alvar saints of South India. She is credited with the Tamil works of Thirupavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi that are still recited by devotees during the Winter festival season of Margazhi.