Andal Bride of Lord Ranganatha -- Srirangam Divine Wedding HD Wallpaper

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Andal as the celestial bride -- dressed in the full splendor of a South Indian wedding, red silk kanchipuram sari ablaze with gold zari, heavy temple jewelry cascading from her neck and ears, the bridal garland (maalai) of jasmine and roses draped around her, standing before the ancient Srirangam temple where, according to tradition, she merged with Lord Ranganatha and was never seen again. The divine wedding of Andal is one of the most celebrated events in Tamil Vaishnavite tradition. According to the Guruparampara (lineage of teachers), Andal's devotion to Vishnu was so absolute that she refused every earthly suitor, declaring that she would marry only Ranganatha -- the reclining form of Vishnu at Srirangam. Her father Periyalvar, initially distressed, received a divine command to bring Andal to Srirangam. When she entered the sanctum sanctorum, she merged with the deity and disappeared from mortal sight. This event is commemorated every year during the Aadi Pooram festival at Srivilliputhur, where a grand wedding ceremony is conducted between Andal and Ranganatha -- one of the most attended temple festivals in Tamil Nadu. The Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, where the divine wedding took place, is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, covering 156 acres with seven concentric prakarams (enclosures). Andal's bridal image is found in every Vishnu temple in Tamil Nadu, permanently placed beside Ranganatha as His divine consort. Free HD download.

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