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Andal
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Andal (ISO 15919: Āṇṭāḷ), also known as Kothai and Nachiyar is one of the 12 Alvars, who are Tamil saints who patronised Vaishnavism during the Bhakti movement. She is the only female Alvar. She is considered to be an avatar of the earth goddess Bhumi, who is an aspect of Hindu goddess Lakshmi, the consort of the preserver god Vishnu. The Alvars are affiliated with the Sri Vaishnavism tradition of Vaishnavism. As per Hindu mythology, she was raised by Periyalvar in Srivilliputhur, where she grew up as a devotee of Krishna.

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Key facts

Hindu leader.name
Andal
Hindu leader.image
Andal-painting.jpg
Hindu leader.religion
Hinduism
Hindu leader.birth_date
Pooram nakshatra in the Tamil month of Aadi, 785 CE
Hindu leader.birth_place
Srivilliputhur, Pandya Kingdom, Tamilakam
Hindu leader.birth_name
Kothai
Hindu leader.denomination
Sri Vaishnavism
Hindu leader.philosophy
Sri Vaishnavism
Hindu leader.movement
Bhakti
Hindu leader.reincarnation_of
Bhumi
Hindu leader.spouse
Rangamannar
Hindu leader.caption
A painting of Andal
Hindu leader.parents
Periyalvar (foster-father)
Hindu leader.temple
Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

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Wikidata facts

Image
The Saint Andal LACMA M.86.94.2.jpg
Show 4 more facts
date of birth
0800-00-00
Commons category
Andal
date of death
0900-00-00
birth name
கோதை
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Article

14 sections
Contents
  • History
  • Iconography
  • Literary works
  • Tiruppavai
  • Nachiyar Tirumoli
  • Significance in Southern India
  • Poetry and Literature
  • Bhakti poetry
  • Feminist interpretations
  • Amuktamalyada
  • Mangalasasanam
  • Notes
  • References
  • External links

Andal (ISO 15919: Āṇṭāḷ), also known as Kothai and Nachiyar is one of the 12 Alvars, who are Tamil saints who patronised Vaishnavism during the Bhakti movement. She is the only female Alvar. She is considered to be an avatar of the earth goddess Bhumi, who is an aspect of Hindu goddess Lakshmi, the consort of the preserver god Vishnu. The Alvars are affiliated with the Sri Vaishnavism tradition of Vaishnavism. As per Hindu mythology, she was raised by Periyalvar in Srivilliputhur, where she grew up as a devotee of Krishna.

Active in the eighth century CE, Andal is credited with the composition of the Tamil works, Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumoli, which are recited by devotees during the month of Margazhi. Andal is a prominent figure for women in South India and has inspired several women's groups such as Goda Mandali.

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