This image is that of an ancient murti of Andal one of the Alvaras -- God intoxicated devotees -- who are worshipped and revered especially in South India. In her hand she holds a parrot - suka. In the days before regular mail service, what to speak of cell phones and the internet, lovers would send messages to each other via their pet parrots. Andal would teach her "suka" a message and then she would send it to the temple of Perumal (God in Tamil) with her messages of love and devotion. In the last divine pastime of Her stay on earth Andal was actually married to the Deity of Ranganatha in Sri Rangam and then entered into the Deity. She is an incarnation of Laksmi Devi, the eternal consort of Lord Narayana.