Entrance Tower To Hindu Temple, dedicated To Lord Vishnu And Andal In Srivilliputhur, Tamilnadu, India Stock Photo

The Temple is constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, probably during the 10th century CE, and has inscriptions from the Chola, Pandya and Nayak rulers, spanning across various centuries from the 10th to 16th centuries. The temple has two divisions - one dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known here as Vatapatrasayi and the other to Andal, a devotee of Lord Vishnu and considered a Goddess, who eventually merged with Lord Vishnu. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The Temple`s gateway tower, or Rajagopuram, seen in the picture, is 192 ft. tall and engraved with beautiful carvings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. It is originally believed to have been built by Periyazhwar, one of the Azhwar Saints and who was the foster father of Andal.