Between the fifth and ninth century, twelve Vaishnava (devotees of Vishnu) Tamil poet saints known as Ãzhvãrs (those immersed in the experience of God) collectively wrote four thousand verses called Divya Prabandam in praise of Lord Vishnu. The sixth of such ãzhvãrs is Vishnucitthan, fondly referred to as Periyãzhvãr (the great ãzhvãr). Šri Ãndãl is the seventh and the only female to make this distinguished list. She was the adopted daughter of Vishnucitthan.

Vishnucitthan lived in Šri Villiputtur, which is near Šri Rangam, the abode of Lord Šri Ranganãtha. He spent his life lovingly singing the Lord's praise while making garlands for Lord Vishnu. He used to pick only the freshest and best flowers from the garden adjacent to the temple. He wanted to give the flowers in its entirety to the Lord; so he would tie a cloth around his nose to avoid even inadvertently enjoying the fragrance before the Lord could. 

One day, he found a basket in the garden with a little baby girl inside. Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream that night and told him to raise the baby as his own. He named her Kõdai, meaning ‘garland’ in Tamil, and was rearing her both as her mother and father. Kõdai grew up hearing devotional songs and stories about Lord Krishna. This was the seed for her intense bhakti and devotion. 

Even as a child, Kõdai constantly thought about Lord Krishna. She would call Him to play with her and He would happily oblige. Later on, she started to dream of marrying Him. Unknown to Vishnucitthan, she would wear the garland made for Lord Krishna, admire her reflection in the well, and put it back for her father to garland Lord Krishna. Since exchanging of garlands is one of the wedding rituals, trying on the garland became one of her daily activities. 

One day, Periyãzhvãr found a strand of hair on the garland. With shock and dismay he surmised that Kõdai had worn it! He begged the Lord to forgive her desecration. He made another garland for the Lord that day. However, Lord Vishnu came in his dream that night to tell him that He wanted only those garlands worn by Kõdai. Vishnucitthan realized Kõdai's divine nature and from then on started offering to the Lord, only those garlands worn by her. 

Much to Vishnucitthan's worry, the fifteen-year-old Kõdai was totally absorbed in the thoughts of the Lord and refused to consider anyone else to enter her heart. Once again, Lord Vishnu in the form of Šri Ranganãtha came in Vishnucitthan's dream to ask him to bring Kõdai to Šri Rangam as He wanted to marry her. Lord Ranganãtha had also appeared in the dreams of the priests of the Temple to get things ready for the wedding. As Kõdai was led to the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Ranganãtha, she merged with the Lord as soon as she reached His presence. A new name ‘Ãndãl’ emerged for Kõdai, meaning "the one who ruled over the Lord Himself!". 

A temple for Šri Ãndãl has since been constructed; and as the Lord wanted, even now, only the garlands worn by Šri Ãndãl are offered to Lord Krishna. Šri Ãndãl's most prominent legacy is the thirty verses she composed collectively called "Thiruppavai". These verses inspire intense bhakti, leading one to Šaranagati (unconditional surrender to the Lord). Early morning recitation of Thiruppavai is a daily routine in most Vaishnava temples and homes, particularly during the Souramãna month of Dhanur (Mãrgazhi). Šri Ãndãl's birthday is observed in the Souramãna month Katakam (Ãdi) on the day of Pooram star. 

ŠRI ÃNDÃL THIRUVADIGALE ŠARANAM