Sri Garbharakshambika Temple

Overview

Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman temple is located in Thirukarukavur (Thirukkarugavur), a small village in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. This is an ancient temple of God Shiva dedicated to Sri Mullaivananathar and Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman. Saints like Sambandhar, Appar and Sundarar have dedicated their soul stirring verses to the glory of this temple.

About The Temple

Thirukarugavur is home to Goddess Garbharakshambika and Lord Mullaivana Nathar. Garbharakshambika literally means “The Mother Who Protects the Womb”. The name of the place itself reflects the significance of the temple. A remarkable feature of this temple, that is different from other innumerable shrines of our country is that the Goddess Sri Garbharakshambika not only protects the unborn child, but also blesses people who long for a child, people who have pregnancy related problems and pregnant women who come to the temple praying for an easy delivery. Shri Garbharakshambika Sameta Shri Mullaivana Nathar temple is spread over a wide area; with huge towering Gopurams and a beautiful water tank in front of it. The temple is surrounded by coconut palms trees and the whole atmosphere is very calm and serene and lends the place it’s sanctity.

As you carry on from the temple tank, you reach the temple complex of Shri Garbharakshambika Sameta Shri Mullaivana Nathar. There is a main Raja gopuram on the east and the temple has also got an entrance on the south side. Both the shrines of Lord Mullaivana Nathar and Goddess Garbharakshambika are situated in the outer Prakaram. This is the main Prakaram facing the east direction. The main inner sanctum of this temple has the Shivalingam and Goddess Garbharakshambika is located to the left of the Lord Shiva temple. It is believed that the Nandi at this temple is in Swayambhu vigraham (Self manifested) and so is the Karpaga Vinayagar inside the temple. These idols are bestowed with unique devotion from their worshippers. There is also a shrine for Lord Subramanian. Devotees pay their respects to the presiding deity, Shri Mullaivana nathar (Lord Shiva) first, as is the custom that is followed in Shiva temples anywhere in TN and then to Goddess Garbharakshambika.

About The deity

The presiding deities of the temple are Lord Mullaivananathar and Goddess Garbharakshambika. Lord Mullaivananathar is Lord Shiva himself and Goddess Garbharakshambika is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Goddess Parvati is the embodiment of Shakti (Power). She has the power to give or empower. She is perhaps the most loved and undoubtedly the most giving of her love. In her we have the true celebration of Hindu womanhood.

Legend and Stories

The place was once dense with Mullai plants. One Niruthuvar and his Vedigai prayed to Lord Mullaivana Nathar seeking child. Later, Vedikai became pregnant. While Niruthuvar was out, of town, Vedikai was in labour pain and fainted. At that time, sage Oordhvapathar came to the house and sought alms. Vedika could not attend to the guest. Unaware of the truth, the angry sage cursed her causing abortion. Vedikai begged mother Ambica for protection of her child. Goddess Ambica appeared and stored the aborted child in a pot with her blessings and kept it safe with Her till the child was born. Touched by the grace of Mother Ambica, Vedika begged Mother to stay here as Garba Rakshambika and bless pregnant women to safe delivery of the children and the mothers.

Pooja timings

This is the first temple to worship in Pancha Aaranya sequence. Therefore temple will be opened early morning every day.

Temple Worship hours

All the poojas, like - enriched castor oil for safe delivery, blessed ghee for conceiving, Thulaabharam, Thanga Thottil are performed during worship hours of the temple.

Abishegam timings: Abishegams are done at 8.00 am every day except Sunday. They have stopped Abishegams on Sundays due to large number of devotees flocking the temple and to enable pleasant dharshan for all of them. Abishegams are also not performed during festival days.

Prasad and Offering

The chief prayer is followed by the offering of Punugu Chattam to Lord Mullaivana Nathar on each Pradosha days of the full moon fortnight. Devotees offer rice, jaggery, fruits, sugarcandy, money etc. equal to their weight, this is called Tulabaram. Devotees perform abishek with green coconut, rice flour, curd, turmeric, cosmetic powders, milk, pachamirtham, sandal and honey and archanas to Lord and Mother and offer vastras. On Sundays of Karthikai month (November-December) abishek to Lord is performed with 1008 conches. As the presiding deity is in the form of anthill, it is covered with a bowl – Kuvalai in Tamil – for the abishek. Devotees offer nivedhanas to Lord and mother and distribute the same to other visiting devotees. They also contribute to the temple renovation fund.

Rare Facts

An amazing thing here is the Goddess Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman cures childlessness related issues of ladies and blesses them to imagine furthermore helps them for safe and inconvenience free conveyance.

Significance

Majority of the devotees praying to Mother Karukatha Nayaki are women longing for a child after years of marriage. Many pray for safe delivery. Those facing menstrual and uterus problems and whose marriage is delayed pray to Mother for cure and happy results. Those suffering from skin diseases pray to Lord Mullaivana Nathar offering Punugu Chattam – a cosmetic paste. This practice is followed even now as experience proves the effect. Others pray for job opportunities, promotions in positions, mental peace and progress in trade.

Nearby Place to Visit

Andalakkum Aiyan Temple
Padikasu Nathar Temple
Gajendra Varadhan Temple
Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal Temple
Appakudathan Temple
Adhivaraha Perumal Temple

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is at Trichy

Railways

The nearest railway station is at Kumbakonam

Road

The temple can be reached from Kumbakonam via Aavur and Patteeswaram. Also direct buses are available to Tirukaruhavur from Kumbakonam. Those coming from other place may hire a cab.

Temple Address

Sri Mullaivananatharswamy and Garbarakshambigai Amman temple,
Thirukarukavur, Papanasam Taluk,
Thanjavur District. Pin code: 614 302.