Tiruvelliyangudi Sri Kola Valvill Ramar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Tiruvelliyangudi Sri Kola Valvill Ramar Temple, Thiruvelliyangudi, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu 612504

Diety

Kola Valvill Ramar (Vishnu) Amman: Maragadha Valli Thaayar (Lakshmi)

Introduction

Kolavalvil Ramar Temple is 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. Thala Virutcham : Red plantain Theertham : Shukra, Parasurama, Brahmma and Indra theerthams Agamam / Pooja : Vaikanasa Agamaa

Puranic Significance

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).

Beliefs

Those facing vision problems, delay in marriage, seeking child boon pray here with the staunch belief that their prayers will be favourably responded by Lord Perumal. People also pray to Perumal for relief from the adverse aspect of planet ShukraVenus. Devotees perform Tirumanjanam to Perumal offering Vastras.

Special Features

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. 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.

Festivals

Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai – December or January,Chaturdasi of Masi – February or March,Chittirai Thiruvonam – April or May,Aani Thirumanjanam – June or July Chaturdasi of Aavani – August or September,Chaturdasi of Puratasi – October or November