Kolavili Ramar Temple

Kolavili Ramar Temple
Kolavili Ramar Temple

Thiruvelliangudi near Kumbakonam is one of the 108 Divya Desams. This place is very important for the vaishnavites and visiting Thiruvelliangudi Divya Desam is equivalent to visiting all the 108 Divya Desams. The Moolavar, Kolavilli Raman is present in a reclined posture and facing east. His Consort is Maragathavalli Thayar. The holy waters here are Sukra theertham, Brahma theertham, Parasurama theertham and Indra Theertham. This temple is believed to be four Eras (Yugas) old. In the Krita Yuga this place was known as Brahma Puthiram, Prasuram in the Treta Yuga, Chandra Nagara in the Dwapara Yuga and Bhargava Puram in the Kali Yuga. This temple is one of the Vaishnavite Navagraha Parihara sthalams around Kumbakonam. This is the Parahira sthalam for Sukran or Venus. Bhargava is another name of Sukran and hence the name Bhargavapuram. Sukran is known as Velli in Tamil and hence the name Velliangudi. This temple was then built by the Asura architect, Mayan. He decided to build the most beautiful temple ever. He wanted it to be better than the Vaikunta built by the Deva architect Vishvakarma.