Thiruvelliangudi is a tiny hamlet near Kumbakonam. There is a temple dedicated to Kola villi Ramar and is one of the 108 temples in Vaishnavite tradition.

Presiding deity-Kolavilliramar
Thayar - Maragathavalli

Sukran of the Navagrahas is associated with this temple. Sukran did penance in this kshetra . Let us read about the genesis of this temple.



Mayan a sculptor for the demonic race was gloomy because he did not get an opportunity to build a Divya Desam. The sad Mayan wailed about his predicament to Brahma.

Mayan at once remembered that Mahavishnu promised to give him a Darshan. Mayan did penance and Mahavishnu appeared before him as promised. The Almighty posed with Chanku chakra and blessed him.

But Mayan did not want to worship Mahavishnu like wise he wanted to worship as Rama with bow and arrow. Mahavishnu gave away his Chanku and Chakra to Garuda promptly and posed with bow and arrow. Thus he is called Kolavilliramar. In all the Divya Desas only in this Kshetra Garuda has four hands

One of the 12 Azhwars -Thirumangai Azhwar wanted to worship the lord as Koilavilliramar and God blessed likewise.

This temple is the nucleus of all the Navagraha Temples. The other temples dedicated to Navagrahas are centered around this temple.

(Concluded )
Part 1

Usha Raja