Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Chola Naadu |
Chola Naadu | 22rd Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
Sri
Kolavilli Ramar temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Srivaishnavas. It comes
under the choza naatu divyadesams. The thayar in the temple is known as
Maragada valli temple. The lord is present in the reclining pose and the
utsavar is known as Sringara sundaram. Markandeya Maharishi appears near the
Lord’s head, Bhoomidevi at the foot, Brahma in the centre and the Lord’s feet
are placed over Lotus. There are two prakarams in the temple. The temple is
close to Senganoor/Chenganoor which is the birth place of Periyavachan Pillai.
Lord
Perumal blesses the devotees in his Bhujanga Sayana-reclining form. The vimana
above the sanctum sanctorum is of Varthaga Vimana design. Shukra, Lord Brahmma,
Indira, Sage Parasurama, Mayan the divine sculptor had the darshan of Lord in
this temple. Senganur, the birth place of eminent Vaishnavite Scholar
Periavachan Pillai is near this place. Kanchi Acharya His Holiness Sri Chandra
Sekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal - Kanchi Periavar – stayed here to execute
renovations.
Lord
Maha Vishnu, in His Vamana Avatar, sought three feet of land from emperor
Mahabali. Shukra was the Guru of Mahabali. When Mahabali was to offer the three
feet land to Vamana, knowing his design, Shukra took the form of a bee and
blocked the handle hole of the water bowl to prevent Mahabali obliging Vamana’s
wish. Vamana the Lord, removed the bee inside (shukra) with a grass stem to
facilitate flow of the water to solemnize the charity. The stick hit one eye of
Shukra. He lost vision of that eye.
Shukra
visited many places to regain the vision of the one eye, finally landed here,
worshipped Perumal and got back his vision. Shukra is also called Velli. Hence,
the name of the place Velliangudi. There is also a different story prompting
Shukra to choose this place for his penance.
Viswakarma,
the celestial sculptor built a temple for Perumal. Seeing the beauty of the
temple, Mayan, also a skilled sculptor but belonging to demon community felt
that he could not do one for Perumal like this. He approached Lord Brahma to
help him who suggested that he should perform penance on Lord Perumal in this
place. Mayan performed penance here. Perumal granted him darshan but Mayan
wished the Ramavatara darshan. Granting him the boon, Lord left His discus and
conch with Garuda and granted darshan to Mayan as he wished. So Shukra-Velli chose
this place of great glory for his penance to regain his vision. This is also a
reason why the place was named Tiruvelliangudi.
Saddened
by the fact that Viswakarma, the sculptor of the Devas secured all the glory
for the construction of the Divya Desams and that he was sidelined, Maayan, the
Sculptor of the Asuras, undertook penance here at Thiru Velliyankudi. Pleased
with his prayers, Lord Vishnu appeared before him and provided darshan in his
full form with Conch and Chakra.
Of
the 108 Divya Desas of Perumal, this is the only temple where Garuda Bhagwan
appears with 4 hands holding discus and conch. Also this is the only place
where plantain grows on a rock yielding fruits once a year even today. Lord
Perumal graces in the temple in reclining form facing east and painted
beautifully. It is said that praying at this temple would be equal to praying
at all the 108 divyadesams. Lord Vishnu is present in the temple in the form of
Lord Rama with a bow. The theerthams or pushkarni for the temples are Sukra, Brahma,
Indra and Parasara theertham and the vimanam is known as Pushkalavartaka
vimanam.
Thiruvelliyangudi
Sri Kola Valvilli Ramar temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu
situated in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. One of the great Vaishnavaite scholars Sri
Periyavacchan Pillai was born in Shenganur a place close to Thiruvelliyangudi.
It is believed that worship of Sri Kola Valvilli Rama in this sacred land would
provide the devoutness equivalent to worship of Lord Vishnu in all the 108
Divya Desams.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Kolavilli Ramar, Sri Sheerapthi Nathan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Maragathavalli |
|
Theertham |
Shukra, Parasurama, Brahmma and Indra Theertham |
BELIEF:
The
belief is that worshipping Perumal in this temple equals to worshipping Him in
all 108 Divya Desa temples. Planet Shukra-Venus is worshipping Perumal in the
form of a ever burning lamp as a token of his gratitude to Lord who restored
his vision. Of the Navagraha importance places, this belongs to Shukra. A
plantain that came through rocks still exists here yielding fruits once a year.
This is the only Divya Desa temple where Garuda Bhagwan blesses devotees with
four hands holding discus and conch (chakra and shanku).
The
temple practises Vaigasana Agama and Vadagalai tradition.
Vishnupathi Punniya Kalam, an auspicious time during the first days of Tamil months
of Vaikasi, Avani, Karthigai and Masi is
celebrated in the temple seeking divine auspices from Garuda.
HOW
TO REACH:
The
temple is about 20 kms from Kumbakonam on the way to Aaduturai. The place is
also known as Bhargavapuram. The nearest airport is Trichy and railway station
is Kumbakonam. An auto to and fro from Kumbakonam to the temple costs about Rs.
250. Alternatively one can take a bus on the Annaikarai route, get down at
Senganoor and take an auto from there. The best route is to reach Anaikarai road,
take a right from Govilachery to reach Anakudi through Annai college. Take a
left there and keep going straight across lush greenery to reach the temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Kolavilli Ramar
Alayam,
Thiruvelliyangudi,
Palakkudi,
Thirumangalakudi (Via),
Kumbakonam
Tamil Nadu - 612102.
LOCATION:
No comments:
Post a Comment