108 Divya-deshams: Tiruvelliyangudi

BY: SUN STAFF

Vimanam of Tiruvelliyangudi temple

Dec 27, 2023 — CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Kolavalvil Ramar Temple, known as Tiruvelliyangudi, is located 19 km from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. One of the Divya-deshams, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Kola Valvill Ramar, with His consort Lakshmi as Maragathavalli.

Temple Gopuram

The temple was constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture and is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas, with later expansions from Vijayanagara 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.

Shrines in the temple complex

Kola Vallvil Ramar was called Brahma Putram in Satya Yuga, Parasaram in Treta Yuga, Sainthiranagaram in Dvapara Yuga and Bhargavapuram in Kali Yuga. It is also associated with Trivikrama avatar of Vishnu. The Lord is said to have appeared here to sage Markendeya. Sage Parasara is also said to have worshiped the presiding deity of the temple.

Sukrachariyar, the demon guru, was against King Mahabali donating land to Vishnu, who was in the form of a Brahmin. Sukrachariyar took the form of an insect and shut the tube of the jug used by the king to spill water during the donation. Lord 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 regain the lost eye. It is the believed that the light he attained is still glowing at the temple as a lamp, called Nethra Deepam.

The architects of Devaloka, Vishvakarma and Mayan had an argument on whose skill was superior. Brahma, the god of creation informed Mayan that Vishvakarma attained betterment as he built Vaikuntha, 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 Vaikuntha. 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).

Shrines in the temple complex

Kola Valvill Ramar 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 (Laksmi Devi). The presiding deity, Kola Valvill Ramar is in Bhujanga sayan (reclined) posture. The vimana over the sanctum has Varthaga vimana pattern. There are four water bodies in the temple complex; the theertham are Sukra, Brahma, Indra and Parasara.

Shrines in the temple complex

Tiruvelliyangudi is also known as Vaishnava Sukra Kshetra, because Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared here as a beautiful deity to please his devotee Shukra (Venus). This is how the name Thiruvelliyangudi was derived and the presiding deity known as Velliyan.

It is believed that Vishnu appeared in Kalyana Kolam (marriage posture) to Parasarar, Markendeyar, Mayan, Brahma, Sukran and Bhudevi. Lord Vishnu's vahana, Garuda, holds the conch and Sudarshana Chakra.

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