Miscellany-A temple of antiquity

A temple of antiquity

This temple is one of the few temples where Garuda is a principal deity. The temple, with the 5.5 feet tall sandstone Garuda is one of the most ancient temples in India. The temple is associated with the Tretha Yuga and the Dwapara Yuga and even linked to the period of Brighu Maharishi.

Yet, it is only in more recent times that the temple has come out of oblivion. Sandwiched between village houses, the temple appears as nondescript as the hamlet in which it is located. But for the pair of pillars painted with white and vermilion stripes, there is nothing even remotely suggestive of the green and orange-painted structure being a shrine. Its locale is neither picturesque, nor does the temple boast the slightest grandeur in terms of architecture or sculpture. But it is visited by droves of people, faith being the sole crowd puller!

The village of Koladevi is believed to have got its name following an incident in the Tretha Yuga associated with the Ramayana. It was here that the mythical bird Jatayu, valiantly fought the demon king Ravana to save Sita when he was abducting her. Jatayu was overpowered by Ravana who chopped both its wings, mortally wounding the bird. Jatayu,
however, held on to dear life, chanting Rama’s name, waiting to communicate to him that Ravana had carried his wife.

Rama reciprocated his act, granted the bird’s request and gave it a proper burial at the very place where it had fallen. Hence the village came to be named ‘Koladevi’. According to legend, it is Jatayu who in the present Kali Yuga came to adorn the sanctum sanctorum of this temple as ‘Garuda’. His idol was installed by Brighu Maharishi, the great sage and later the temple structure came about during the time of Ramanujacharya.

Another legend reveals Garuda’s keen desire to serve Lord Vishnu just as Hanuman did. The Lord granted Garuda’s wish in the Dwapara Yuga during the period of the Mahabharata. When the Pandava king Arjuna once went on a hunting expedition, the force of his arrow set the forest ablaze. This resulted in the death of several thousands of serpents that inhabited the forest.

As a consequence, Arjuna was affected with, and suffered from sarpa dosha. Upon the advice of great sages, he worshipped Garuda and performed puja to free himself of the sarpa dosha. Garuda appeared before him and upon Vishnu’s suggestion, agreed to bless Arjuna. He agreed on one condition: Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi should rest on his shoulders as Rama and Sita. Vishnu granted his wish too. Thus, both Garuda and Arjuna were  blessed. Since then daily puja is performed at the temple. There is a strong belief that one who worships Garuda here will have the wish fulfilled and that those suffering from any malady would be healed by visiting his temple at Koladevi.

The unique feature of the Garuda idol here is that he is seen carrying Vishnu with bow and arrow and his consort Lakshmi, on his right and left shoulders  respectively. Further, the two deities do not rest directly on his shoulders. They are placed on a small pedestal which in turn is placed on the shoulders of Garuda.

To the left of the main sanctum is a shrine dedicated to Hanuman with his tail curving towards the top of his head, and the brahmaasthra tied to his hip. Whereas Garuda, the main deity, and Lord Vishnu, have their eyes turned in the direction of Hanuman, it is Goddess Maha Lakshmi who is looking at her devotees. Special pujas are conducted on Amavasya  and Pournami  days at the temple.  

To arrive at the temple in Koladevi village in Mulbagal district one has to  travel on NH 4 till Mulbagal. Then take the road to Srinivasapura and continue for about 18 km up to Mudiyanur. From Mudiyanur take a right turn and drive down 4 km to reach Koladevi.