Thirukkarugaavoor Sri Garbharakshaambigai History
Among the numerous shrines in Thanjavur Dist., the temple at Thirukkarugavur, near Papanasam, is unique in its importance. It is a Siva temple dedicated to Sri Mullaivananthar and Sir Garbharakshambikai. Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar, the three among the four famous Nayanmars, have celebrated the glroy of this temple in Soulstirring verses of rare beauty and charm.
The one remarkable feature which distinguishes this temple form the innumerable other shrines of our land is that the Goddess Sri Garbharakshambikai here, vouchsafes Safety to women during pregnancy and Child – birth. The Uniform experience of the people of these parts bear unfailingtestimony to the said characteristic attributed to the Deity. The name of the Sthalam itself brings out the significance of the temple.
It is an ancient temple, old in story and song. The presiding deity Sri Mullaivananathaswamy is in Swayambhu Lingam and as such commands unique devotion form Saivaiet worshippers. The name of the deity is derived form the fact that Mullai, known as Mathavi or Vasanthi, Sanskrist, is the favourite flower of this deity. The Sthala Vriksham is in itself Mullai creeper. But the fame of this temple rests largely upon the benign Goddess. Sri Garbharakshambikai (an aspect of Sri Parvathi) who offers protection to the man emoryo. And it is no wonder that this temple draws worshippers from all sects including Vaishnavites. The inhabitants of the village speak tot the fact, that within living memory, there has been no case of fatality to the mother or child during confinement. Even a casual visitor cannot fail to be thrilled by the motherly Grace and the imposing of look of the image of the Ambika here. It is at a place like this that one can understand what “ Saannidhyam is.
The Sthalapuranas which are in Sanskrit and Tamil are preserved in manuscript forms and shows the antiquity of the temple. It is a fairly big temple is size occupying an extent of more than an acre. The imposing Gopuram at the entrance, and the tank in front of it with tall coconutpalms, all around present a very inviting appearance and lend a charm of its own to the visitor. The Gopuram and the huge compound walls tell the story of more than thousand years. There are also ancient inscription on the wall inside.
The Sthalapurana gives a detailed account of the origin of this Kshetram and the various persons who obtained Divine Grace at this place. It would suffice to recount the story of Sage nidhruva and his wife Vedhika as it relates to the circumstance in which Parvathi took the form of Sri Garbharakshambikai in order to give special protection to women during pregnancy. The story is that Sage Nidhruva was living here with his wife Vedhika. One day when Sage Nidhruva was away, sage Urdhvapada happened to visit the place. Vedhika who was then alone and in an advanced state of pregnancy un wittingly failed to offer, due hospitality to the guest. Urdhavapada unaware of her difficulties, got incensed at her conduct and landed a cruel curse upon her, as a result of which poor Vedhika was visited with foul disease which began to eat into the very vitals of not only herself but also the child in the womb. The helpless Vedhika fervently prayed for relief to Goddess Parvathi who in the plentitude of Her mercy appeared before Vedhika in the form of Sri Garbharakshambikai totally erased the effect of the curse and saved Vedhika.
The story goes that the Goddess offered protection to the embryo by keeping it in a divine pot till it bloomed into a full-fledged child. Vedhika over-whelmed with joy, fell at the feet of Sri Garbharakshambiaki and prayed that the Ambikashould take a permanent abode at the place and continue to offer protection to future generations of women also. Thus we find this prayer being fulfilled even to this day at this holy place.
Speciality In the distant past two Rishies by name Gowthama and Gargeya didi penance at this place called ’MULLAIVANAM’ ie. (Jasmine Forest). A Couple by name Nidhruva’ and ‘Vedikai’ stayed in the same Ashram and rendered service to the Rishies. The couple had no children and represented this to the Rihies. The Rishies advised the couple to worship the Deities with intense devotion and their prayers were answered. To the joy of the couple Vedika conceived .
At a particular time during her pregnancy, her husband was away form home, and she was in deep slumber due to the strain of pregnancy. At this moment, a Rishi by name ‘Urdhvapada’ came to her abode and asked for aims. Due to her unconscious state of mind, she did not respond to the Rishi’s request. The Rishi was enraged at this apparent indifference and cursed her without knowing the reason of her silence. Due to this, her foetus disnite grated and came out. Vedikai prayed to the Goddess in great distress. The Goddess in great distress. The Goddess appeared, protected the foetus, preserved it in a pot till it developed in to a male child and gave the child ‘Naidhruvan’ to her immense delight.
Wonder struck by this great act of Benevolence of the Goddess, the immensely grateful vedikai prayed to the Goddess that she should remain in the place as women and their foetus as she had done in her case. The Goddess reponded to her prayer and remains here as ‘Garbha Rashambigai’ with her special, this place came to be known as ‘Thirukkarugavur’ i.e., the place where pregnancy is protected and also the place where childless couples are blessed with children.
Vedikai had no breast milk to feed the child, Naidruvan. The Goddess sent ‘Kamadenu' the Divine Cow to this place to feed the child. Kamadenu Scratched the earth with her hoof and milk fetched out in plenty and formed a ‘Milk Tank’ in front of the Temple. This Tank exists even now in the name of ‘Ksheerakundam.’
Thus, at this Sacred place, childless people who worship the Goddess with devotion and faith are blessed with pregnancy. Also the pregnancies are well protected and the women are blessed with easily deliveries.
The Lord of this place, is called ‘Mullaivananathar’ and His Linga here is a "Swayambu’ i.e. Self Manifested” This Linga is made up of ant hill mud. Hence there is no water Abishekam for this Lord. Instead, the Linga is merely pasted with a kind of must called ‘Punuhu’. In the Linga one can see even today the impression of Jasmine creepers which once covered it. People who are afflicted with incurable disease come t o this place. Offer ‘Punuhu Chattam’ to the Lord and get themselves relived of the diseases. This is a fact which is actually verified even to-day.
MODE OF WORSHIP
Devotees can offer the following kinds of worship by remitting the prescribed amount to the EXECUTIVE OFFICER by M.O. and get the receipts and Prasadams by post and be benefied.
ArchanasDevotees can offer the following kinds of worship by remitting the prescribed amount to the EXECUTIVE OFFICER by M.O. and get the receipts and Prasadams by post and be benefied.
1. ASHTOTHARAM ARCHANA Rs. 180/-
2. SAHASRANAMAM ARCHANA Rs. 100/-
3. ABISHEKAM Rs . 500/-
4. Manthra – Charged Caster Oil Rs. 75/-
5. Manthra – charged ghee Rs. 75/-
6. PUNUHU CHATTAM Rs. 100/-
People in whose case marriages are often held up and married people who have no children for a long time are blessed by the Goddess here. As a result of their worship and prayer, marriages take place, Children are born to the childless, Pregnancies are protected form all dangers and easy deliveries occur.
SMEARING OF THE STEPS WITH GHEE FOR FIXATION OF MARRIAGES
Virgins whose marriages are delayed for long periods and married women who have no issue for a long time should come to this Temple in person, wash the steps with a little ghee draw ‘ Kolam and perform Archana to the Goddess. If done so, their marriages will take place and the childless women will be blessed with children.
MANTHRA – CHARGED GHEE BLESSED WITH CHILDREN
Couples who remain childless for a long time should offer ghee which will be placed at the Feet of the Goddess, charged with manthras and given to them. If the couples eat a little of this Ghee at night daily for 48 days the women will certainly conceive soon an they will be blessed with children. Those who are unable to come to the Temple in person should remit Rs. 75/- to he Exective Officer, of the Temple by M.O. and get the charged Ghee and be benefited.
MANTHRA CHATRGING OF CASTOR OILFOR EASY DELIVERIES
Pregnant women expection deliveries should offer castor oil which will be placed and Feet of Sri Garbha Rakshambikai, charged with manthras and offered to them. This castor oil has wonderful property. When the women get labour pains, this oil should be smeared on their abdomen. This will eliminate all complications, dangers and after effect of delivers and make the deliveries quite easy. Women who could not come in person should remit Rs. 75/- to Executive Officer, by money order and get the charged castor oil by parcel post and be benefited.
MINIMUM QUANTITY OF ARTICLES REQUIRED FOR AN ARCHANA
1. Coconut – 1
2. Plantain fruit – 2
3. Betel & nut
4. Bathi – 0.50,
5. Kum kum – 0.50,
6. Flower,
7. Wick (cotton) 0.10,
8. A little oil for Deepam – 50ml
MINIMUM QUANITY OF ARTICLES REQUIRED FOR AN ABISHEKA
1. Turmeric Powder - 250 gm
2. Dravya Powder - 250 gm
3. Mappodi - 250 gm
4. Sandal Paste - 100 gm
5. Rose water - 1 bottle
6. Honey - 25 gm
7. Country Sugar - 250 gm
9. For Panchamirtham
Plantain Fruits - 25
Country sugar - 150 gm
Candy, dried grape, date palm - Rs . 10.00
9. Gingelly oil - 250 milli
10. Milk - 3 lit
11. Curd - half lit
12 . Tender coconut - 2
13. Oil for Deepa - 150 milli
14. Cotton Thread wick - 0.50
15. Flower as desired
Minimum quantity of articles required for Naivedyam connected with Abishekam ( SAKKARAI PONGAL)
1. Raw rice - 800 gm
2. Jaggery - 1kg
3. Broken green gram - 100 gm
4. Ghee - 150 gm
5. Elaikkai, Cashew dried grape - Rs . 15.00
DETAILS OF DEVASTHANAM TICKETS
1. Ashtothra Archana ticket 2.00
2. Sahasranam Archana Ticket 2.00
3. Abishekam Ticket 5.00
4. Mavilakku Ticket 1.00
5. Charging of ghee ticket 15.00
6. Charging of Castor Oil Ticket 10.00
7. Mudi Kanikkai Ticket 1.00
8. Sandanakkappu 10.00
9. Kannikakai Ticket 2.00
THE TEMPLE WILL BE OPEN FOR WORSHIP BY DEVOTEES FORM 5.30 A.M. TO 12.30 P.M. AND FORM 4 P.M. TO 8.00 P.M.
Devotess who are sending money by M.O ae requested to write clearly and legibly their addressess in Tamil or English in the coupons as also the purpose for which the money is sent. In the sent case of Archanas, the names, Stars and Gothrams of Persons should be clearly written.
We request all people to visit at least once this Temple abounding in Tranquity, Antiquity and Benevolence and be Blesed with Happiness.
May the Goddess Karba Rakshambikai who has Resurrected a Foetus and the Lord Mullaivananathar who curse incurable disease of people may be your constant protectors and Benefactores!
PREPAID REQUESTS FOR ARCHANAS
People who want to perform Archanas to Goddess Garbha Rakshambikai every month and get prasadams by post are requested to remit amounts at the rate of Rs.15/- per month for required number of months, mentioning name/ Nakshathra/ Gothram/. in the M.O. Coupon to the Executive Officer. For example, to get prasadams for 12 months one should remit Rs. 180/- Also on their domestic functions like marriage, Bangle adornment, ear boring ceremony on occasions like examination, court proceedings, Business starting etc. and for peace, prosperity and health, people are requested to perform Archana, by remitting Rs. 15/- and get receipt and prasadams for success.
SlokamSloka (given below) is given at the temple to be chanted by the expectant mother to pray Sri Garbharakshaambigai, everyday till delivery.
“Hey Sankara samarahaa Bramadhaadhinaadhari
Mannaadha saramba sarisooda
harathirisoolin Sambo sugaprasava
grudh bhavamey dhayaalo
hemadavi vanesa paalayamaam namaste!
Himavath yudhdharey paarsvey
suradhara naama yaashinee
Thasyaaaa smarana maathrenaa
vichalya gharbinee bhavethu!!”
Transliteration :
ஹே ஸங்கர ஸமரஹா ப்ரமதாதி
நாதரி மன்னாத சரம்ப சரிசூட
ஹர திரிசூலின் சம்போ சுகப்ரஸவ
க்ருத் பவமே தயாளோ
ஹேமாதவி வனேஸ
பாலயமாம் நமஸ்தே!
ஹிம்வத் யுத்தரே பார்ஸ்வே
ஸுரதர நாம யாஷினீ
தஸ்யா ஸ்மரண மாத்ரேணா
விசல்யா கர்ப்பிணி பவேது!!
Location Pilgrims coming form Madurai, Tiruchi, Coimbatore Salem etc., have to alight at Thanjavur Bus Stand and form there, they can come here by the Town Bus Number 24, 34, 16, 44 or by the route bus to Kumbakonam Via Melattur. Pilgrims form Madras, Neyveli, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur etc., have to alight at Kumbakonam bus stand and form there. They can come here by Town Bus numbers 11 and 29 or by the route bus to Thanjavur via Avur and Melattur. The Temple is at short distance formt the Thirukkarugavur Bus stand (Bazaar Bus stop).
Leading Saints of THIRUGANA SAMBANDAR & THIRUNAVUKKARASAR of the Seventh Century A.D. administered by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (A) Department of the Government of Tamilnadu.
Float Festival Every year during “NAVARATHIRI UTCHAVAM” LAKSHARCHANAI is being performed in this temple for benefiting the devotees.
From this year “FLOAT FESTIVAL” is being conducted on 21.10.2007 the concluding Day of Navarathiri ie on “VIJAYADHASAMI”. The Lord MULLAIVANANATHAR & GODDESS KARPARATCHAMBIGAI are adorned in the Float in the famous Temple Tank, “THE SHERAAKUNDAM”
Cultural programme of eminent Carnatic personalities are being arranged in the Float.
Please make a pilgrim visit to this temple on the day of “VIJAYADHASAMI” to have a blessings of the Float Festival.
Navakodi Ghee Deepa A unique scheme for benefiting the devotees to be blessed with child and for easy normal delivery named as “NAVAKODI NEY DHEEPA PRARTHANAI” is being launchad in this temple from 17.8.2007.
Devotees are requested to lit up Eleven no of “Ney Dheepam”, one for suyambu vinayagar, one for suyambu Lord. Mullaivananathar and nine for Almighty Shri. Karbaratchambigai. The cost ofone “Ney Dheepam” supplied by this temple is Rs.5/- (Rupees Five Only) including the “TEMPLE SHARE” of Rs.3/- Devotees who cannot attend in person may benefit from this scheme by sending Rs.75/- (Rupees Seventy five only) either by M.O or by D.D. in favour of “THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER” and the prasadam will be sent to them by post.
Temple Address:THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
Arulmigu Mullai Vananathar Thirukkoil,
Thirukkarugavur (p.o),
Papanasam Tk,
Thanjavur Dt. 614 302
Tamil Nadu,
Phone : (04374) 273423
References:
http://garbaratchambigaitemple.org/
http://www.pariharam.com/Temple_Thirukkarugavur.aspx?TempleID=TMPL014
He is known by other names such as Aadhipureeswarar (the sthalapuranam claims that this is the first temple in the world), Vaanmeega naadhar, Kaarani Vidangar, Padambakka Naadhar, Maanicka Thyaagar, Thiruvotreeswaran. 
The temple is located in Thirumullaivaayil (a place full of Mullai flowers - jasmine & hence the name), near Ambattur, Aavadi. 
