Sri Garuda Swami Temple
Many animals and birds are worshipped as the vahanas of many deities. In Vishnu temples, we worship Garuda along with two lions which are installed on the gopuras, vimanas, and on the four corners of the outer wall which represent the prominent members of animal and bird kingdoms.
Lord Krishna identified Himself with Garuda and Lion in Bhagavad Gita as:
“I am the Lion among the animals and Vainateya (Garuda) among the birds: (verse 10:30) “Mruganamcha mrugendra aham, Vainateyascha Pakshinam”.
Every year Sravana Sukla Panchami Day is earmarked for the adoration and worship of Garuda.
Amruta Kalasa Garuda
Maharshi Kashyapa married Vinata and Kadru. Garuda was born to Vinata and hence he is adored as Vainateya. Sri Vaishnavas worship him as the personification of the Vedas. Kadru gave birth to snakes. When Vinata lost a wager with Kadru, as agreed, she became a slave to Kadru and to release his mother from bondage, Garuda went to Indra Loka and brought nectar (amrutham).
In many places, Garuda is shown holding a pot of nectar in his hand and is called “Amruta Kalasa Garuda”. Lord Maha Vishnu is at all times surrounded by Nityasuris, Anantha, Garuda, and Vishwaksena.
Sruti declares, “tat Vishnor Paramam Patham; satha pasyanthi Soorayaha” (In the paramapada Lord Vishnu is forever be held by the Nityasuris with unblinking eyes.).
- Garuda and Hanuman are the two prominent carriers of Lord Maha Vishnu.
- Garuda is always in the presence of the Lord with folded hands waiting for the command of his master. He is hailed as “Garudalwar.”
There is a Garuda Temple… (Koladevi)
This Garuda temple is situated in Koladevi Village, Kolar District of Karnataka State. Koladevi village is located in the Mulbagal division. During the reign of Vijayanagara kings, Mulbagal was the eastern entrance to the empire (Moola Vayil meaning primary entrance and Moola vayil corrupted as Mulbagal).
Here in a separate temple, a very unusual statue of Garuda has been installed.
Legends Behind the Origin of the Temple
Jayatu fought with Ravana
There is an interesting Puranic legend behind the origin of this temple. When Ravana was abducting Sita Devi the Eagle King Jatayu fought with him and fell wounded. When Rama and Lakshmana were roaming the forest searching for Sita Devi, they met Jatayu, gathered information about the Devi and when Jatayu breathed his last Lord Rama performed his obsequies.
The people of Koladevi village believe that this is the place where Jatayu was cremated. In Kali Yuga Bhrighu Maharishi erected a temple for Garuda here in memory of Jatayu.
Arjuna’s worship of Garuda (To get rid of Sarpa Dosha)
One more legend says that the presence of the unusual statue of Garuda in Koladevi is due to Arjuna’s worship of Garuda here. Though Dakshaka Naga residing in the Khandava forest escaped unscathed when the forest was burnt by Agni at the behest and collaboration of Arjuna and Krishna, Arjuna suffered for sarpa dosha.
Saints advised Arjuna to worship Garuda to get rid of the dosha. Garuda was ready to remove the dosha on condition that, Lord Vishnu and Sri Mahalakshmi should come to this holy spot, sit on his two shoulders, and give darshan to devotees. Garuda also wanted the Lord to wield a bow and arrow in his two hands reminiscent of his avatar as Sri Rama.
To help Arjuna, Lord Mahavishnu fulfilled the wish of Garuda. Arjuna worshipped Garuda who appeared carrying Lord Vishnu and Sri Mahalakshmi on both his hands, and got rid of his sarpa dosha.
Darshan of Garuda
In the Sanctum we have the darshan of Garuda in a relief sculpture of wonderful workmanship and beauty. Garuda with prominent canines and mustache, and with a dagger in his waist, has his right leg bent to the back with the left in front, sporting widespread wings. Ashta Naagas adorn his various limbs.
Garuda’s serene and satisfied countenance faces north where the separate shrine of Hanuman is located. He carries on his right palm Lord Vishnu with two hands armed with a bow and arrow and on his left palm Sri Mahalakshmi.
It can be noticed that both the Lord and His consort are seated on peetams. Shanka and Chakra adorn the sides of Garuda’s face.
There is a legend that after the Kurukshetra war, Pancha Pandavas visited this place when Arjuna established the Hanuman Sannidhi adjacent to Gardua and Sage Vasishta installed Lord Srinivasa, Sri Padmavathi and Rama, Sita, Lakshmana idols. In recent years lots of devotees have visited this temple of Sri Garuda Bhagavan.
Belief…
Devotees believe that a visit to this temple and darshan of Lord Garuda would cure them of their chronic ailments, mental stress, fear, sickness following bites by venomous creatures, etc. Devotees have the great opportunity of having the darshan of Lord Mahavishnu and Sri Mahalakshmi and Garuda together.
