Thiruvelliyankudi | Sri Kola Valvilli Ramar Perumal Temple | Divya Desam - 22

22. Thiruvelliyankudi – Sri Kola Valvilli Ramar Perumal Temple, Kumbakonam

Temple Location :

This temple lies in the District of Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. From Kumbakonam, we have to travel in a bus up to Anaikarai and from there to Senganoor and the temple is about 3/4 miles away from this place. The Sthalam can also be reached Via Chozhavaram, Muttakudi and Mayavaram.

Kolavalvil Ramar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located 19 km away from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India on the Kumbakonam-Chennai highway. in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Kola Valvill Ramar and his consort Lakshmi as Maragathavalli.

The temple is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas, with later expansions from Vijayanagar kings. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a four-tiered rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, in the temple.

Kola Vallvil Ramar is believed to have appeared to sage Markendeya. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

As per Hindu legend, the temple was called Brahma Putram in Satya Yuga, Parasaram in Treta Yuga, Sainthiranagaram in Dvapara Yuga and Bhargavapuram in Kali Yuga. The temple is associated with the Trivikrama avatar of Vishnu. As per the legend, Sukrachariyar, the demon guru, was against king Mahabali donating land to Vishnu in the form of a Brahmin. He took the form of the insect and shut the tube of the jug used by the king to spill water during the donation. Vishnu identified the trick and injured the eyes of the insect with a small spear. Sukracharyar, who lost his eyes, did penance at this place to attain the lost eye. It is believed the light he attained is still glowing at the temple as a lamp called Nethra Deepam. Sage Parasara is believed to have worshiped the presiding deity of the temple.

Once the architects of Devaloga, Viswakarma and Mayan had an argument on whose skill was superior. Brahma, the god of creation informed Mayan that Viswakarma attained betterment as he built Vaikunta, the abode of Vishnu on account of accomplishments in a previous birth. He also informed Mayan that to attain similar status, he has to identify and build an abode near the river Kaveri similar to Vaikunta. Mayan inspected various places and finally identified Thiruvelliyangudi, where sage Markendeya was doing penance. He built a beautiful temple and its compound, which is believed to be the temple in modern times. Vishnu appeared as Sringara Sundaran (beautiful deity).

Architecture

Kola Valvill Ramar Temple is located in Tiruvelliyangudi, a village located 19 km (12 mi) away from the Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam - Chennai highway. The temple has a three-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower) and is enclosed within brick walls. Leaving the central shrine of the presiding deity, which is built with granite, all the other shrines are built with brick. There are separate shrines for the consort of Kolavalli Ramar, Maragathavalli.The presiding deity, Kola Valvill Ramar, is sported in Bhujanga sayan (reclined) posture. The vimana (roof over the sanctum) has a Varthaga vimana pattern. There are four water bodies namely, Sukra, Brahma, Indra and Parasara that are associated with the temple.

Sthala Puranam:

As Lord Shukra (Venus) also known as Velli was in penance on this place and because of this, the sthalam is called as “Velliankudi”.

Among all the Planet’s Lord Shukra has an important place. He is the next brightest star to Sun and Moon.

He was the guru (mentor) of the Asura’s (demons). He was the one who taught the life Regaining Mantra “The Sanjeevini Manthram” to Kachan, the son of Brahaspathi, the guru of Deva’s.

Mayan was the sculptor of the Deva Logam. He is the father of Mandorai, wife of Ravana. He constructed many beautiful places such as Tiripura loga which floats in the sky (for Asura’s) etc. This great personality wanted to have a heartiful Dharsan of Sri Ramar. He requested Sri Ramar to give Dharsan without his Sangu and Chakaram. So Sri Ramar gave these things to Garudan and showed himself as “Kola Vallvill Raman” at this place.

And Garudan has Sangu and Chakkaram in his hands here. This incident shows that a true artist is beyond love and affection towards his family (ie) he is more concentrated in his work only. So, Lord Bhrama too came here to have Dharsan.

Many Sages and Saints have performed the “Vyasa Pooja” here.

This temple is maintained under the “Vygnasa Agamam” which means:

Viganasa Maharishi was born from the soul of Sriman Narayanan. The format of Slokams which he assorted is known as “Vyganasa Aagamam”, the Four Lakh Granda’s (letter format) which was formed by his four students Maharishi, Athiri, Bhrigu and Kashiyapar is also known as Vyganasam.

Bodily matters were put into the Gruhyam sect while details regarding the implantation of idols of deities, prayers, rules for repenting his sins (Prayachitham) are put under the Deivegam section.

As all the wordly bliss are found here, mother earth (ie) Bhoomi Piratti came here to get the Dharsan of the Lord here.

Like how Plaintain tree bores sapplings before it dies, the humanity should also cherish forever and to explian this, the sthala virutcham (ie) tree of the temple is Plaintain tree here.

Putkalavartham is the name of the cloud which bores all blissful things to humanity. As the lord of this place blesses us heartly, the Pushkalavartha cloud becomes his Vimaanam here.

Specials:

1. Since Lord Shukra, Lord Indra, Lord Brahma, Markandeya Maharishi, Parasara Maharishi, Mayan were all blessed by Lord Kola Valvilliraman specially here, if visited this sthalam gives all the Puniyam (Value of good deeds) gained by having Darshan at all the 108 divyadesams. only.

2. Garudan in this Sthalam has Sangu and Chakkaram in his hands, which will be generally found on the hands of the Perumal.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Kola Valvilli Raman. He is giving his seva in Kidantha Thirukkolam in Bhujanga Sayam facing his thirumugham towards east direction. Prathyaksham for Lord Shukran, Brahma, Indra, Parasara, Mayan, Markandeya Maharishi and Bhoomi Piratti.

Thayaar:
The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Maragadha Valli Thaayar.

Utsavar:
The Utsavar found in this sthalam is Sringara Sundaran.

Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangaialwar – 10 Paasurams.
Total – 10 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:
Sukra Theertham.
Brahma Theertham.
Indara Theertham.
Parasara Theertham.

Vimanam:
Pushkalavartha Vimaanam.

Religious importance

The temple is counted as Vaishnava Sukra Kshetra as Vishnu appeared as a beautiful deity to please his devotee Sukra (Venus).The place derived its name Thiruvelliyangudi hence and the presiding deity is also referred to as Velliyan. It is believed that Vishnu appeared in Kalyana Kolam (marriage posture) to Parasarar, Markendeyar, Mayan, Brahma, Sukran and Bhudevi. To de-stress or relieve Lord Vishnu, his mount or vahana, the eagle Garuda, holds the conch and the Sudarshana Chakram or discuss|wheel of Vishnu which is very unique in nature, making this the only temple where Garuda is depicted in such a posture. Sage Parasarar is believed to have done penance in this temple and hence there is a temple tank called Parasara Theertham. A banana plant is seen growing from a granite base and it is believed to be historical.The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alvar in one hymn. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.

Festivals and religious practises

The temple practises Vaigasana Agama and Vadakalai tradition. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 7:30 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Kolavalvil Ramar and Maragathavalli Thayar. During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests. There are other weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple as in other Vishnu temples in South India. 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