Tirukarukkavur Garbarakshambikai

Tirukarukkavur is a small town about 320 kms from Chennai and 70 kms from Kumbakonam. The town can be accessed easily from Kumbakonam along the Kumbakonam-Papanasam-Tanjore route.

The main deity of the temple is the swayambhu Mullaivanathar. The entire place was earlier a forest abounding in jasmine creepers (a cousin of jasmine species actually - முல்லை வனம்).   In fact, one can still observe the creepers marks on the Lingam. Since the Swayabhu Lingam is made out of mud (புத்து மண்), there is no abhishekam for the Lingam - only Punugu Thailam is applied to the lingam. Nandhi and Karpaga Vinayagar are also Swayambhu in this temple.

Garbarakshambikai

Mullaivana Natha Swamy

Sthala Puranam

On the advice of sages Gauthama and Karkeya, Naithruvar and his wife Vedikai prayed to Lord Mullaivananathar to get a child. Time passed and Vedikai too became pregnant. When Naithruvar went to participate in a sacrifice in Varunaloka, Sage Oordhvapada visited Naithruvar’s ashram. Vedikai, distracted by pains related to pregnancy, did not offer any hospitality to the guest. An enraged Sage Oordhvapada cursed Vedikai. However, Ambal intervened, saved Vedikai’s foetus in a pot, instructed the divine cow Kamadhenu to nurse the baby and then handed over the child Naithruvan to the parents Naithruvar and Vedikai.

As the Goddess saved Vedikai’s foetus, she is called “Karu Kaatha Amman” or “Garbarakshambigai”, and the town is called Tirukarukkavur.

Pariharam/ Prayer

Info about applying Punugu

Temple Darshan Timings

Those wishing to conceive,  apply ghee on the garbagriha entrance (Vaasal padi/ step), put kolam and offer prayers to the Garbarakshambikai. As prasadam, a small bottle of ghee is given which should be taken by the couple. 

Lamps are also lit as a prayer for conceiving. Pregnant ladies are asked to recite the Slokas for the Ambal. 

A small  bottle of castor oil is given to apply at the time of labour for normal delivery. Once child is born, the child is placed in a cradle and taken around the Ambal’s praharam as a token of thanks.

Punugu is applied to Mullaivananathar to cure diseases and skin problems.

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