Kola Valvill Ramar Temple

Kolavalvil Ramar Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which is a temple 19 km away from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. The temple is built in South-Indian style, mainly speaks the Dravidian architecture since it was constructed in that era.

It is also one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, where the lord is worshipped as Kola Valvill Ramar and his consort Lakshmi as Maragathavalli. The temple was first built by Medieval Cholas, which was then expanded by Vijayanagar kings.

Legend

There is more than one legend related to the temple. One such legend was about the Trivikrama avatar of Vishnu when he took the form of a brahmin to get the pieces of land from King Bali. Sukrachariyar, the demon guru, understood this act of Lord Vishnu, and as being against it, he opposed King Bali from giving the donation to Vishnu.

However, when King Bali didn’t consider Sukrachariyar’s say, he converted himself into an insect and stopped Vishnu from accessing the land. Vishnu recognized the trick, and he pierced its one eye. To attain the lost eye, Sukrachariyar did penance there. The light that he attained by the penance is still glowing at the temple in the form of a lamp which is called Nethra Deepam. Sage Parasara is also believed to have worshiped the presiding deity of the temple.

It is believed that once the architects of Devaloga, Viswakarma, and Maya were having an argument on who has greater and more refined skills. On which Brahma told Mayan that Viswakarma has more skills and superior as he built Vaikunta, the abode of Vishnu.

He also told Mayan that to attain Viswakarma’s superiority; he has to build an abode near the river Kaveri similar to Vaikunta. Mayan did the same as he was told; he found a piece of land which was called Thiruvelliyangudi where the sage Markendeya was doing his penance. Mayan used the place and constructed the Vishnu’s abode there, which is now known as the temple Kola where Vishnu appeared as Sringara Sundaran.

The temple holds six daily rituals and three yearly festivals. The Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu maintains and manages the temple.

Architecture

Kola Valvill Ramar Temple comprises a three-tiered rajagopuram, which is surrounded by a brick wall from all directions. This is the wall of granite that goes around all the shrines and the water bodies in the temple. Here all the shrines are built with bricks except the central shrine of the prime deity Vishnu.

There is a separate shrine for the consort of the Lord Vishnu, Laxmi. The presiding deity remains in a reclining position. There are four water bodies named Sukra, Brahma, Indra, and Parasara. The vimana or the roof over the sanctum has a Varthaga vimana pattern on it.

Religious Importance

The temple is recognized as Vaishnava Sukra Kshetra as Lord Vishnu appeared here in the form of a beautiful deity. As the place is known as Thiruvelliyangudi, people also refer it as Velliyan. The idol can be seen with the mount Eagle who is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The mount can be seen holding the lord’s Conch and Sudarshana Chakram. It is believed that the mount holds these things to relieve Lord Vishnu, so he doesn’t have to hold his Conch and Chakra all the time. It is also the first temple where such posture exists.

As Sage Parasarar also did his penance here in the temple, there is a shrine for him too called Parasara Theertham. There is a banana plant as well, which also holds significance; additionally, the temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham in the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon.

Festivals and Religious Practices

Vaigasana Agama and Vadagalai are two traditions the temple follows. The rituals are performed on a daily basis as well as on the festivals. The temple Pujas take place 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 goes through three steps, including decoration, a food offering, and waving of lamps to God. To finalize the Puja, pipe instruments and percussion instruments are played along with reciting the religious scriptures. Read more : https://www.astroved.com/astropedia/en/festivals/masi-magam