Garuda temple - Mulbagal

Mythological importance of Garuda temple

Mythological importance of this temple dates back to ‘Tretha Yuga’. In the story of Ramayana we hear about the bird Jatayu, who valiantly fought against the Demon King Ravana, to save Sita from Ravana’s hands. Ravana after abducting Sita, will be carrying her in his pushpaka vimana, Sita will be crying out for help calling Rama’s name. After hearing Rama’s name Jatayu flies to help Sita and tries to have a discourse with Ravana, But Ravana  in no mood to have dialogue with Jatayu  cuts off his wings. Jatayu falls down calling out Rama’s name.  Hanuman hearing Rama’s name comes immediately with Vajrayudha to help him . Though he could have killed Ravana the same minute, he thinks about his Lord Sri Rama and waits for him. This is the place where Jatayu falls and waits  for Rama to come. Rama blesses him with mukthi. As Jatayu was killed ( ‘Kollu’ in kannada means ‘kill’) , this place came to be called  ‘Koladevi’.

Another story goes as in the ‘Dwapara yuga’, the period of Mahabharatha, when the Pandavas were in exile , Arjuna had put the forest on fire  killing several serpents. As a result he was affected by  Surpa dosha. Arjuna was advised by great sages to worship Garuda and free himself from Sarpa dosha. Vishnu  advice Garuda to bless Arjuna . Garuda  agreed to do so on one condition.  He requested  Lord Vishnu to  be with him as Lord Rama and  also Godess Lakshmi as Sita . As Lord Vishnu agreed, we can see Garuda with Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi in his right and left hands  respectively.  

Another story says that Garuda  had a desire  to serve Lord Vishnu like Hanuman did in  the ‘Tretha Yuga’. Hence his wish was granted in ‘Dwapara yuga’. The idol of Garuda and Hanuman is placed facing each other, where the eyes of Garuda and Hanuman are in a  straight line, as if staring at each other.