Thiruvelliangudi

Thiruvelliangudi

108 Divya Desam Temples, Thanjavur District

God

Kolavilli Ramar, facing east

Goddess

Maragathavalli Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Yoganarasimhar, Garuda with 4 hands holding Sangu Chakra

Thiruvelliangudi is an east facing temple with 3 tier Rajagopuram and two Prakarams. Garuda here is neither in a sitting nor a standing position. He is seen in a rising position where he is about to give back the Disc and Conch to the Lord. The actual name of the main deity here is Ksheerabdinaadhar. But Thirumangai Azhwar has referred to him as Kolavilli Ramar in his Mangalasasanam.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Suklatheertham, Brahmatheertham, Paragaramatheertham and Indratheertham

Holy Tree – Kadhali – Red Banana (Musa acuminata)

Vimaanam – Pushkalavarthaga Vimaanam

History

Mangalasasanam has been rendered by Thirumangai Azhwar (one of the 12 Azhwars, 7 – 9th Century CE) here at Thiruvelliangudi.

Legend

Sukran (Venus) is believed to have worshiped the lord here at Thiruvelliangudi to get back his eye sight which he lost when he was blocking the nozzle (in the form of a Bee) of a vessel King Mahabali was using to give the donation asked for by the Lord in his Vaamana Avatar.  Upon the lord using a grass to clear the nozzle Sukran lost his eyesight.  The place was also called Sukrapuri. Another name for Sukran is Velli, hence the name Thiruvelliangudi. The names of Sukra and Sukracharyar are used in overlapping form by different ideologies.

Mayan is believed to have done penance here to see the Lord. the lord appeared with his Disc and Conch whereas Mayan insisted to see him as Lord Rama. The Lord obliged and came as Rama with his bow and arrows, hence the lord’s name here is Kolavilli Raman. This legend is also connected with the fact that Garuda is seen here about to give back his Disc and Conch.

Directions

Cholapuram is on the road from Kumbakonam to Chennai, near Kumbakonam and before Thirupananthal. From here Thiruvelliangudi is about 4 kms. Also visit the Choleeswara temple here. These two temples are connected by legend.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is  Kumbakonam.

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