The Garuda temple is one of its kind, dedicated to Garuda – the Vahana (vehicle) of lord Vishnu, situated in koladevi village of Mulbagalu town, Kolar district, Karnataka state, India. This is the one and only temple in the world dedicated to ‘Garuda’.
About Garuda temple Koladevi
Garuda is mythological figure, a humanoid eagle with Human body with wings of a bird and beak of an eagle. Here the temple is believed to be built during the Vijayanagara period, with the statue of Lord Garuda in the kneeling position. Garuda is kneeling on one leg and carrying Lord Vishnu in his right hand and Goddess Lakshmi in his left hand. The left hand is little higher in position, where Lakshmi signifies prosperity. Lord Vishnu and Garuda are seeing Mahalakshmi, but Godess Lakshmi is facing front which indicates that she is blessing the devotees who visit this temple. The idol of Garuda is around 5.5 ft tall , surrounded with 8 serpents as his jewels. There are 11 Gods carved on this monolith, namely The Garuda, Vishnu, Lakshmi and 8 serpents. The idol is believed to be installed by Ramanujacharya in the 11th – 12th century, hence it is believed to be around 1100 years old.
Mythological importance of Garuda temple
Mythological importance of this temple dates back to ‘Tretha Yuga’. In the story of Ramayana we hear about the bird Jatayu, who valiantly fought against the Demon King Ravana, to save Sita from Ravana’s hands. Ravana after abducting Sita, will be carrying her in his pushpaka vimana, Sita will be crying out for help calling Rama’s name. After hearing Rama’s name Jatayu flies to help Sita and tries to have a discourse with Ravana, But Ravana in no mood to have dialogue with Jatayu cuts off his wings. Jatayu falls down calling out Rama’s name. Hanuman hearing Rama’s name comes immediately with Vajrayudha to help him . Though he could have killed Ravana the same minute, he thinks about his Lord Sri Rama and waits for him. This is the place where Jatayu falls and waits for Rama to come. Rama blesses him with mukthi. As Jatayu was killed ( ‘Kollu’ in kannada means ‘kill’) , this place came to be called ‘Koladevi’.
In a small non-descriptive village called Koladevi past Kolar before Mulbagal on the way to Srinivasapura is this simple … unassuming powerful temple of Garuda. Garuda is a mythical humanoid eagle, the vehicle or Vahana of one of the most powerful Hindu trimviate God, Lord Vishnu.
Garuda always had an inner desire to be like Lord Hanuman, the ardent servile devotee of Lord Rama. And in this modest simple upcoming 300 year old discovered shrine of Garuda, one finds a small shrine devoted to Lord Hanuman!
Taking Mahabharata, the epic tells us that the warrior prince, Arjuna in his passion of hunting burnt the forests by his swift arrows with friction causing fire killing a lot of snakes. He was advised to build a temple of Garuda as abulution and thus his ‘sarpa dosha’ was absolved! This was one Temple.
Taking on another epic of India, the Ramayana. Jayatau – the epic eagle confronted, Ravana to foil the kidnapping of Sita, Lord Rama’s wife and died at this spot with both his wings chopped off. It is said in reverance Lord Rama built a temple honouring the sacrifice of Jayatau – a Garuda Temple.
Lord Vishnu was pleased by Garuda’s sacrifice blessed him equating him to Hanuman. Garuda was still unhappy as his temple had no powers when devotees would pray for him. To negate this, Lord Vishnu and Goddesses Lakshmi placed themselves on Garuda’s shoulders making it the most powerful Temple! Here if you notice, Goddess Lakshmi is seated higher than Lord Vishu. They occupy places on either shoulders of Garuda. It is believed that this combination and formation to view and pray is most powerful and a blessed one. Devotees throng to this temple to fulfill their wows and wishes. It’s good to have a divine intervention and be blessed. Weekends and holidays are crowded. Weekdays are good time to go. Public transport to this place is erratic. Better to have your own vehicle. It is also believed that this may be a Hoysala Temple. Some say that Brought Maharishi established this Temple. Like I say Faith moves a man, the more distressed the more faith. A happy soul at last is a blessed soul.
The head priest Srinivas, a school teacher has got some divine power and helps devotees with his predictions. This selfless man consoles and guides the disturbed souls in their quest for peace, joy and happiness. They come to him in good faith and are happy. His intention is to slowly build this modest Temple to a more divine one… But he’s a man in no hurry and willing to wait for the right time. This Temple can be combined with a day trip covering the temple’s of Kolar. Please note, no Photography at this Temple!
Traversing on the Old Madras Road, bypassing Kolar, just 500 mtrs short of Mulbagal Toll Post, one takes a left and head to Koladevi, the village, ask around the local folks or Google Maps, you will reach this place. A good day trip for troubled souls needing divine intervention in their life.
