The Jatayu bird of Ramayana still lives here

Garuda is a humanoid eagle god worshipped by the Hindus. Garuda is believed to be the mount or the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. However, it is very rare to find temples which are only dedicated to Garuda in India. But, interestingly there is one unique temple dedicated to the Lord Garuda in Karnataka. The temple is said to be the only temple in which Lord Garuda is worshipped in the entire world.

The temple is located in the Koladevi village in Mulbagal taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka. Mulbagal is about 110 Km from Bengaluru city. To arrive at the Garuda temple in Koladevi village in Mulbagal taluk of Kolar district, one must travel on Bengaluru-Chennai highway (NH 4) till Mulbagal. Then take the Srinivasapura road and continue for about 16 Km up to Mudiyanur. From Mudiyanur take a right turn and has to drive about 4 Km to reach Koladevi.

The Garuda temple, Koladevi

The Koladevi village has got its name following an incident in the Tretha Yuga associated with Ramayana. It was here that the mythical bird Jatayu (Garuda) who was killed by the ten-headed demon king Ravana. In Kannada Kole/kollu means Kill. Hence the name Koladevi was given to this place by Brighu Maharshi. The Jatayu fought the demon king Ravana to save Sita while he was abducting her. Jatayu was overpowered by Ravana who chopped both of his wings. When Jatayu fell on the ground, he called Hanuman for help. Rama reciprocated his act, granted the bird’s request and gave it a proper burial at the very place where it had fallen. According to beliefs, it is Jatayu who in the present Kali Yuga came to adorn the sanctum 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 Sri Ramanujacharya in the 11^th century AD.

The Garuda in this temple holds Lord Vishnu in his right hand and Lakshmi Devi in his left hand. Lord Vishnu is placed a bit lower than Lakshmi. Vishnu and Garuda are facing towards Hanuman in the next room. Lakshmi Devi in the left hand of Garuda is looking at the devotees visiting the temple.

Lord Garuda

Here the Lord Hanuman idol also has some unique features which could not be found anywhere. The god’s tail has been curved over his head and holds a Brahmastra in his left hand.

Lord Hanuman

The Lord Garuda has eight snakes on his body. three on the left bicep (Kala Sarpa Dosha), one on the right bicep (Kuja Dosha), one on the right shoulder(Bhuja Dosha), one on the chest (Hrudaya Dosha), one around the neck (Kanta Dosha) and one snake over the head (Shira Dosha). Hence, Lord Garuda is believed to cure all the eight types of Naga Dosha. Just visiting the lord Garuda in the temple is believed to cure all cure all the eye and ear related problems instantly. People also come with many personal problems and most of them have been benefitted by just visiting the god.

The Garuda temple is arguably one of the unique temples in India. This temple is a must visit place for every Hindu. The positive energy in this place is sure to bring prosperity in one’s life. People come from Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and various parts of the country just to take the blessings of Lord Garuda.