Kolavilli Ramar Temple,
Tiruvelliyangudi – Legends
Kolavilli Rama:
Vishwakarma,
the celestial sculptor, had created many Divya
Desams but the sculptor of Asuras Mayan was longing that he never
got a chance to build such a temple. He approached Lord Brahma to help him.
Lord Brahma advised him to perform penance on Lord Vishnu in this
place. As per Lord Brahma advise, Mayan performed penance here.
Pleased with his prayers, Lord Vishnu appeared before him and provided darshan
in his full form with Conch and Chakra.
However,
Mayan wanted to see the Lord in his Avataram from the Ramayana. It is said that
Lord Vishnu gave away his Conch and Chakra to Garuda and gave darshan to the
Asura’s Sculptor as Raama, with his bow and arrow. Hence, this Lord came to be
called Kola Villi Raama. Thirumangai Azhvaar also saw the Lord in the form of
Kola Villi Raama.
Shukra regained his eyesight
here:
As per
legend, Lord Maha Vishnu, in his Vamana Avatar, sought three feet of land from
emperor Mahabali. Shukra was the Guru of Mahabali. When Mahabali was about 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.
Lord Vishnu
identified the trick and injured the eyes of the insect with a small spear. Shukra
visited many places to regain the vision of the one eye, finally landed here,
worshipped Lord Vishnu and got back his vision. Shukra is also called Velli.
Hence, the place came to be called as Velliangudi.
It is the believed the light he attained is still glowing at the
temple as a lamp called Nethra Deepam.
Mayan, the architect of
Devaloka, built this Temple:
Once
the architects of Devaloka, Vishwakarma and
Mayan had an argument on whose skill was superior. Lord Brahma,
the god of creation informed Mayan that Vishwakarma attained betterment as he
built Vaikuntha,
the abode of Lord 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 Tiruvelliyangudi,
where sage Markandeya was doing penance. He built a beautiful temple and its
compound, which is believed to be the
temple in modern times.
Existence in all Yugas:
As per
Hindu legend, the
temple was called Brahma Putram in Krita
Yuga, Parasaram in Thretha
Yuga, Sainthiranagaram in Dwapara
Yuga and Bhargavapuram in Kali
Yuga.
Pushkala Varthaga Vimana:
Pushkala
Varthaga is the name of the cloud which bores all blissful things to humanity.
As Lord Vishnu at this
place bless the devotees heartily, Pushkala Varthaga cloud become
his Vimanam here.
Lord Vishnu darshan in Kalyana
Kolam:
It is
believed that Lord Vishnu appeared in Kalyana Kolam (marriage posture) to
Parasara, Markandeya, Mayan, Brahma, Sukran and Bhudevi.
Parasara Theertham:
Sage
Parasarar is believed to have performed penance in this
temple. Hence, the temple tank came to be called as Parasara
Theertham.
Vyasa Pooja:
It is
said that many Sages and Saints have performed the Vyasa Pooja at this
place.
Equivalent to 108 Divya Desams:
It is
said that praying at this
temple would be equal to praying at all the 108
Divyadesams.