Koodaraivalli is a function celebrated based on Andal's 27th pasuram "KOODARAI VELLUM SEER...".

 Every year, Margazhi 27 is celebrated as "koodaravalli" hence. Andal with her friends have completed their fasting in this day and started enjoying themselves for the rest three days. The song "vaiyathu vazhveergal..." should be thinking of before entering into “Koodarai vellum” pasuram.

In the second pasuram, “Vaiyathu vaazhvirgal”, Andal details the procedures involved in observing the fast during the month. Sri Andal exhorts us to chant the name of the Lord for the whole day, avoid ghee, milk, have a bath early in the morning (brahmamuhurtham), avoid any adornments like kohl or flowers, avoid all negative emotions and words, do acts of charity, and do one’s duties while singing praises of the Lord.

The 27th pasuram, “koodarai vellum” signifies the conclusion of the fast.

கூடாரை வெல்லுஞ்சீர்க் கோவிந்தா உன்றன்னைப்

பாடிப் பறைகொண்டு யாம்பெறும் சம்மானம்

நாடு புகழும் பரிசினால் நன்றாக

சூடகமே தோள்வளையே தோடே செவிப்பூவே

பாடகமே என்றனைய பல்கலனும் யாமணிவோம்

ஆடை உடுப்போம் அதன்பின்னே பாற்சோறு

மூடநெய் பெய்து முழங்கை வழிவாரக்

கூடியிருந்து குளிர்ந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்."

koodaarai vellum seer gOvindhaa undhannai(p)

paadi(p) paRai kondu yaam peRum sammaanam

naadu pugazhum parisinaal nanRaaga(ch)

choodagamE thOL vaLaiyE thOdE sevip poovE

paadagamE enRanaiya palagalanum yaam aNivOm

aadai uduppOm adhan pinnE paaR chORu

mooda ney peydhu muzhangai vazhi vaara(k)

koodi irundhu kuLirndhElOr embaavaay

The friends wear good clothes and ornaments and visit the temple, where they continue to sing praises of Lord Narayana. Akkaaravadisal soaked in ghee and milk is offered to the Lord and shared amongst them.

The Story Behind Koodaravalli akkara Adisal

In the 9th decade of Nachiar Thirumozhi, Andal wishes to offer 100 pails of butter and 100 pails of akkara adisial(rice cooked with milk and jaggery).

In Nachiar Thirumozhi (9.6) Andal sings:

"To the Lord of Malirunsolai surrounded by fragrant groves, I give my word to offer a hundred pots of butter today and a hundred pots of sweet morsel filled to the brim. Will the lord of growing affluence deign to accept them?"

This wish remained in words during the life of Andal and it was Sri Ramanuja who fulfuilled it physically. Andal showed her gratitude to Ramanuja by revering him as her Annan ( elder brother). Henceforth he came to be addressed as the elder brother of Andal though, actually, he was centuries younger to her.

On Koodaaravalli day, devotees go to the temple, offer Ghee filled Akkaaravadisal to Lord Govinda and end their fast.

Enjoy this Koodaravalli with your near and dear ones.