Periyalwar, one of the twelve Alwars, was born in Srivilliputhur on Swathi Nakshatra in Ani month and was named ‘Vishnuchitha’ by his parents. He was blessed with Bhagavath Bhakthi from birth itself. He maintained a beautiful garden filled with flowers. He used to make fresh garland every day with these flowers and offer it to Srivilliputhur Emperuman (Bhagavan Vishnu in the Srivilliputhur Temple) with great affection.
At that time a pandiya king named Sri Vallabha Deva assembled scholars from all regions to establish the Supreme Truth based on Vedanta.
With the blessings of Bhagavan Srihari Vishnu, Periyalwar explained the essence of Shastras and the Supreme Truth of Sriman Narayana. He proved that nothing exists other Sriman Narayana with proofs from Sruthi, Smrithi, Itihasas, puranas and other scriptures of Sanatana Dharma.
King Sri Vallabha Deva honored him with the title ‘pattarpiran’ meaning one who has done great favours to bhattars (great scholars) by revealing the Supreme Truth.
The king then took Periyalwar in a grand procession around Madurai. Bhagavan Vishnu along with Goddess Lakshmi atop Garuda arrived to witness the procession.
Periyalwar was able to sense and presence of Sriman Narayana and looked up in the sky. With the blessing of Bhagavan, he had the divine darshan of Bhagavan Vishnu along with Goddess Lakshmi atop Garuda in the sky.
Periyalwar thought that Bhagavan has arrived here to bless me, so let me pray for His well being now. He then picks up the bell from the neck of the elephant which was carrying him and started singing ‘Thiruppallandu.’ Periyalwar out of great love, invites everyone along to sing Thiruppallandu. Sriman Narayana returned to his abode happily after hearing the Thiruppallandu. The overflowing emotions as a result of the darshan of Bhagavan resulted in Periyalwar, revealing the divine prabandham named ‘Periyalwar Thirumozhi’.
Periyalwar also had the great fortune of becoming the father-in-law of Bhagavan Vishnu when he was able to give his daughter Andal in marriage to Bhagavan. Periyalwar found Andal who was an incarnation of Goddess Bhumi Devi near a Tulsi garden in Srivilliputhur and named her kodhai (which means a garland). She grew up under the influence of Periyalwar and as result she developed a great attachment to Bhagwan Vishnu. Her unwavering and unfathomable devotion resulted in her marrying Bhagavan. She is also one among the twelve Alwars.