Kola Valvill Ramar Temple, Tiruvelliyangudi

Introduction

Kola Valvill Ramar Temple is a Vishnu shrine and is counted among the 108 Divyadesams, the holy abodes of the Lord that have been glorified by the Azhwar saints in their verses. This is located in the village of Tiruvelliyangudi, near Kumbakonam town in Tamil Nadu state. Kola Valvill Ramar is the main deity here, and Maragadha Valli Thaayar is his consort. Sages Sukrachariyar and Parasara are said to have worshipped in this temple. Also, Saint Thirumangai Azhwar has sung this Lord's praise in his composition, which forms part of the much revered 'Nalayira Divya Prabandham.' Besides, Lord Garuda appears here with four hands, holding discus and conch in two of them, which is a rare sight. Also, as a strange occurrence, a banana tree grows out of a rock here and yields fruits once a year. This temple attracts devotees all-round the year.

Temple Legends

According to the legends, this place had remained sacred from ancient times and was called in Krita Yuga as Brahma Putram, in Tretha Yuga as Parasaram, in Dwapara Yuga as Sainthiranagaram, and in Kali Yuga, as Bhargavapuram. This temple is associated with the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Sage Sukrachariyar, the Guru of the Asuras, was against king Mahabali donating the land to Vamana, as requested by Vamana, for Sukrachariyar understood that the young Vamana was none other than Lord Vishnu himself, who has come in disguise. But unable to stop his king from proceeding with his charity, Sukrachariyar took the form of a bee and tried to shut the water passage of the jug, so as to stop the king from pouring water into the youngster's hands and solemnizing the donation. Having understood the trick that Sukrachariyar was playing, Vishnu took a blade of grass, inserted it into the water passage, and used it as a spear to clear it. As a result, the water flowed freely, and the donation was made successfully. But this act also blinded one of the eyes of Sukrachariyar, who assumed the form of a bee. Thus, having lost the vision in one eye, Sukrachariyar did penance, worshiped the Lord in this temple, and got his sight back. The luminescence from his eyes is still kept burning in this temple, as Nethra Deepam, it is claimed.

As Shukra, known as Velli in Tamil, obtained the grace of the Lord here, this place has come to be called as Velliyangudi.

As per another story, once there arose a feud between Viswakarma and Mayan, the master architects of heaven and earth, respectively, as to who was greater among them. Lord Brahma gave the verdict that Viswakarma is the superior architect, as he built Vaikunta, the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu. Since Mayan, too, wanted to be an architect of renown, he built this beautiful temple for Vishnu on the banks of river Cauvery. Pleased with this, Lord Vishnu appeared here as Shrungara Sundarar, the beautiful one who also loves to dress attractively. When the happy Mayan wished to worship him in his Rama Avatar, Vishnu gave his darshan as Kola Valvill Rama. And in the process, the Lord had to leave his discus and shell with his mount Garuda, and this is the reason Garuda is seen holding them in this temple.

The History and Architecture of Kola Valvill Ramar Temple, Tiruvelliyangudi

The temple is said to have been built by the medieval Cholas, possibly in the 8th century CE, and was expanded subsequently by the Vijayanagar rulers. While the central shrine is built of granite, the temple complex, as such, is enclosed within the brick walls. The temple tower or the Rajagopuram is three-tiered. Parasara Theertham is the temple tank, while there are three more water bodies here called Sukra, Brahma, and Indra Theertams. Kola Valvill Ramar is in reclining posture in the sanctum sanctorum, while there is a separate shrine for his consort Maragadha Valli.

Temple Festivals

Brahmotsavam remains the grand festival of this temple, while Vaikunta Ekadasi is also celebrated with great religious fervor. Vishnupathi Punya Kaalam refers to the first days of select Tamil months like Vaikasi, Avani, Karthigai, and Masi. These auspicious periods are observed in this temple, seeking the blessings of Lord Garuda.

Benefits of worshipping Kola Valvill Ramar

It is a staunch belief among the devotees that those with eye or vision problems can pray to this Lord and get their defect cured. It is also believed that people can hope for early marriage and progeny blessing with divine grace, here. Also, worshipping the Lord can relieve people of the adverse effects of Shukra, planet Venus, and bestow them with wealth, pleasures, and happiness.