the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Vishnu

Lord Maha Vishnu , in His Vamana Avatar, sought three feet of land from emperor Mahabali. Shukra was the Guru of Mahabali. When Mahabali was to offer the three feet land to Vamana, knowing his design, Shukra took the form of a bee and blocked the handle hole of the water bowl to prevent Mahabali obliging Vamana’s wish. Vamana the Lord, removed the bee inside (shukra) with a grass stem to facilitate flow of the water to solemnize the charity. The stick hit one eye of Shukra. He lost vision of that eye. Shukra visited many places to regain the vision of the one eye, finally landed here, worshipped Perumal and got back his vision. Shukra is also called Velli. Hence, the name of the place Velliangudi. There is also a different story prompting Shukra to choose this place for his penance. Viswakarma, the celestial sculptor built a temple for Perumal. Seeing the beauty of the temple, Mayan, also a skilled sculptor but belonging to demon community felt that he could not do one for Perumal like this. He approached Lord Brahmma to help him who suggested that he should perform penance on Lord Perumal in this place. Mayan performed penance here. Perumal granted him darshan but Mayan wished the Ramavatara darshan. Granting him the boon, Lord left His discus and conch with Garuda and granted darshan to Mayan as he wished. So Shukra-Velli chose this place of great glory for his penance to regain his vision. This is also a reason why the place was named Tiruvelliangudi.

This is the only Divya Desa where Garuda Bhagwan appears with four hands holding discus and the conch as Perumal. A red plantain tree that grew here from rocks, still exists yielding fruits once in a year. Perumal blesses the devotees in reclining form facing east. The idol is beautifully painted. Lord Perumal blesses the devotees in his Bhujanga Sayana-reclining form. The vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is of Varthaga Vimana design. Shukra, Lord Brahmma, Indira, Sage Parasurama, Mayan the divine sculptor had the darshan of Lord in this temple. Senganur, the birth place of eminent Vaishnavite Scholar Periavachan Pillai is near this place. Those facing vision problems, delay in marriage, seeking child boon pray here with the staunch belief that their prayers will be favourably responded by Lord Perumal. People also pray to Perumal for relief from the adverse aspect of planet Shukra-Venus.