Periazhwar (originally called Vishnuchittar) was an ardent devotee of Perumal and he used to string garland to god every day. He was childless and he prayed to God to save him from the longing. One day, he found a girl child under a Tulasi plant in a garden inside the temple. The child was goddess Sri Mahalakshmi herself. He and his wife named the child as Kothai, who grew up as a devotee of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, the supreme God. She is believed to have worn the garland before dedicating it to the presiding deity of the temple. Periazhwar, who later found it, was highly upset and remonstrated her. Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream and asked him to dedicate only the garland worn by Andal to him. The girl Kothai was thus named Andal and was referred to as சூடிகொடுத்த சுடர்க்கொடி, or Chudikodutha Sudarkodi (the lady who wore and gave her garland) to Lord Vishnu. The practice is followed during modern times when the garland of Andal from Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is sent to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple on Garudotsavam during the Tamil month of Purattaasi (September - October) and Azhagar Koyil during Chitra Pournami.