Srivilliputhur Andal Temple (ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர் ஆண்டாள் கோயில்) is one of the famous 109 Divya Desam’s dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is famous as the birthplace of Andal (ஆண்டாள்), the daughter of Periyalvar. Apart from many things and rituals that the temple is known for, it is renowned for the distinguished garlands that are strung there and an exquisite handmade parrot that is offered to the Goddess Andal there. Today I got a chance to see both up close thanks to a well-wisher who had come to Chennai from Srivilliputhur.
The Hindu has published recently a story on Mr S Raman, being the only man left from the community of parrot makers spanning seven generations. It takes him about two hours to pick the flowers and leaves, and another two hours or more to make the full parrot.
ஶ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர் ஆண்டாள் கோயில் பல வண்ண மாலை மற்றும் கையால் செய்யப்பட்ட இலைகளாலான கிளி, இதைப் பார்க்க சேவிக்க நமக்கு கண் கோடி வேண்டும்.
[Update 2021-August-04]
Today a friend coming from Srivilliputhur brought four of these parrots as a gift to a little girl in his family in Chennai, and I clicked the below pictures.
Two pairs of lovely Srivilliputhur parrot toys made out of leaves
உயிரோட்டமான ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர் ஆண்டாள் கிளி – மர இலைகளால் செய்யப்பட்டது
can i order them and get it parceled to Bangalore ?
Sorry, I have no ideas. You need to call up the temple authorities or a local priest there and check with them.
Why andal is kept parrot in hand?