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Thursday, March 15, 2007

STORY OF GODDESS GARBHARAKSHAMBIKA SAMETA SHRI MULLAIVANA NATHAR

GODDESS GARBHARAKSHAMBIKA SAMETA SHRI MULLAIVANA NATHAR
Thirukarugavur is the abode of Goddess Garbharakshambika and Lord Mullaivana nathar Garbharakshambika means “The Mother Who Protects the Womb”. The name of the place itself brings out the significance of the temple. A remarkable feature of the temple which distinguishes this temple from the innumerable other shrines of our land 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.
The other presiding deity is Lord Mullaivana Nathar (Lord of the Jasmine Garden) and worshipping this God will cure all kinds of skin diseases. People who are afflicted with incurable diseases come to this temple.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE
The temple is situated in Thirukarugavur which is a small village situated in Papanasam Taluka, in Tanjore District.
Tiruk- karugavur itself means -"The town where the foetus was protected".
The temple is located in a serene atmosphere along the banks of the river Vettaar, which
is a branch of the sacred river Cauvery
Location details:
Taluka: Papanasam
District: Thanjavur (Tanjore)
State: Tamilnadu
Country: India
Ideal Travel Base: Thanjavur (Tanjore)
HOW TO REACH THE TEMPLE
Thirukarugavur is in Papanasam taluka which is located on Thanjavur (Tanjore) - Kumbakonam road.
It can be reached from both Thanjavur (Tanjore)and Kumbakonam. Town buses are available from both places to take you to the temple.
Papanasam is about 20 kilometers east of Thanjavur Town and at 20 kilometers South west of Kumbakonam, so the distance is almost the same.
If you are traveling from Chennai, you have to take a train or bus to Kumbakonam and from Kumbakonam, there are buses going straight to Thirukarugavur where the temple is situated.
You can also rent a car locally for transport.
PRESIDING DIETIES
Among the numerous shrines in Tanjore District the temple at Thirukarugavur is a unique one. 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 and she is perhaps the most loved and undoubtedly the most giving of her love. In her we have the true celebration of Hindu womanhood.
THE TEMPLE
The Shri Garbharakshambika Sameta Shri Mullaivana Nathar temple is spread over a wide expanse with huge towering Gopurams and a beautiful water tank in front of it. The temple is surrounded by tall coconut - palms, the whole atmosphere is very calming and serene and lends the place sanctity.
Once you walk past the temple tank, you reach into 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, which is the main Prakaram facing the east direction.
The main sanctum of this temple has the Shiva lingam and Goddess Garbharakshambika is situated to the left of the 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 which is also a Swayambhu (self manifested) and as such commands unique devotion from the worshippers. There is also a shrine for Lord Subramanian.
(*The sacred bull on which Lord Shiva rides)
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.
BEAUTY OF THE GODDESS
Goddess Garbharakshambika is the supreme personality of Motherhood and the sanctum sanctorum (Garba Graha) of her temple is filled with the presence of her beautiful idol of, which is about 7 feet tall and decked in beautiful kanjeevaram sarees and exquisite jewellery. She is adorned with the most beautiful flowers which are offered in abundance to the Goddess increasing her beauty. The Goddess has the most radiant smile on her face depicting positivity and a ray of hope. For the thousands who throng her abode she isn’t an idol, she is their only remaining hope.
Even a casual visitor cannot fail to be thrilled by the motherly grace and the imposing look of the Goddess here.
HISTORICAL EVIDENCE TO THE SHRINE
The Gopuram and the huge compound walls tell the story of more than a thousand years.
The Sthalapuranas* which are in Sanskrit and Tamil are preserved in manuscript forms and show the antiquity of the temple. The Sthalapurana gives a detailed account of the origin of this Kshetram and the various persons who obtained Divine Grace at this place.
(*Sthalapuranas are scriptures which usually extoll the virtues of a temple. They narrate stories of the temple's creation and spiritual history.)
There are also ancient inscriptions of the walls inside.
Inscriptions from King Raja Raja Chola's periodwho ruled between 985 and 1014 CE*. as well as those from Parantaka Chola’s period (early 10th century) are seen inside the temple. There is evidence that Beema, Garkiyar, Gouthamar and a lot of ancient kings worshipped the God in this temple.
(* CE stands for Common Era)
Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar, the three famous Nayan-mars (Saints) have celebrated the glory of the God and this temple in soul-stirring verses (pathigams*) of rare beauty and charm.
(* Pathigams are verses, poems or songs in praise of the lord and the temple)
The three Nayan-mars visited these temples along with their followers in spite of the inconveniences they faced while travelling the nook and corner of Tamilnadu in search of these temples. There are instances when God Shiva himself had directed them and shown the way to some of the temples so that the above Nayan-mars could visit these temples and compose Pathigams. These Pathigaams composed in the classical Tamil language are of immense value to the Tamil literature.
STORY OF MULLAIVANA NATHAR
Lord Shiva is mainly worshipped in the form of a Shiva linga.
The shiva lingam of the presiding deity, Lord Mullaivana nathar in the main sanctum of this temple is a Swayambu (self-manifested ) Lingam,
It is one out of the 64 in the world.
In the Shiva lingam one can see even today the impression of jasmine creepers which once covered the Shiva lingam. The place must have been a jasmine garden once upon a time. Hence the Shiva at this place is called as Mullaivana Nathar (Lord of the Jasmine Garden).
Mullai (Jasmine flower) also known as Madhvi or Vasanti in Sanskrit, is the favourite flower of this deity.
The Sthala Vriksham* in this temple is the Mullai creeper
(Every South Indian temple has its own tree - the sthala vriksham. The names of each temple's tree are included in the agamas, descriptive texts)
The Lingam of Lord Mullaivana Nathar is made up of ant hill mud. Therefore there is no water abhisekam for this Lord. Instead, the Lingam is merely pasted with a kind of must called "Punuhu" in tamil.
It is told that worshipping the main deity Lord Mullaivana Nathar (God Shiva) will cure all kinds of skin diseases.
People who are afflicted with incurable diseases come to this temple, offer "Punuhu Chattam" to the Lord and get themselves relieved of their diseases.
Special Feature Of This Temple
The special feature of this temple is that the moon's rays falls on the Siva lingam on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Panguni (March/April) every year. This is a divine sight to see.

STORY OF GARBHARAKSHAMBIKA
Here is the story of Goddess Garbharakshambika (an incarnation of Goddess Parvati) and why she is known as the protector of the womb.
Once there lived a Rishi called Nidhruva who lived with his beautiful wife Vedhika in an Ashram. He spent his life praying to the lord and performing holy rites.
They were very happy, except that they didn’t have a child, so they prayed fervently to the lord to be blessed with a child.
After many prayers Vedhika became pregnant. Everything was going on well and the couple were eagerly expecting their first born child.
One day Nidhruva left to visit Lord Varuna by travelling through the skies. The rishis in those days had many powers. Vedhika was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, When he was gone, Sage Urdhvapada visited the Ashram.
Vedhika was alone in the ashram and since she was in an advanced state of pregnancy and very tired after the daily household chores, she was lying down and taking rest. Vedhika didn't notice the Rishi or hear him, therefore, she failed to respond and unwittingly failed to offer, due hospitality to the guest.
Urdhvapada felt terribly insulted and unaware of her pregnancy got incensed at her conduct and cursed her for not paying due respects to him.
He cursed that she should suffer from a disease called “Rayatchu”, as a result of which poor Vedhika was struck with a foul disease, which began to eat into the very vitals of not only herself but also the child in her womb.
Vedhika realized the effect of the curse and that the baby in the womb had become disformed because of this curse.
The helpless Vedhika fervently prayed for relief to Goddess Parvati who in the plentitude of her mercy appeared before Vedhika, the Goddess offered protection to the embryo by keeping it in a divine pot till it bloomed into a full-fledged child.
The foetus that was saved by Goddess Parvathi develops into a beautiful healthy male child called Naidhruvan, who receives blessings from Lord Shiva (Mullaivana Nathar) and Goddess Parvati. The holy cow Kamadhenu gives its milk to the newborn baby thus blessing and nourishing the baby.
When sage Nidhruva returned and heard what had happened, he was overwhelmed by the grace of the Almighty. He prayed to Lord Shiva (MullaivanaNathar) and Goddess Parvati (Garbharakshambika) that they should shower their blessings to all devotees praying to them.
He fell at the feet of Goddess Parvati and prayed that she should 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.
Since the Goddess Parvathi appeared in the form of a savior to protect Vedhika’s unborn child, she was known as Shri Garbharakshambika (The one who protects the unborn child or the one who protects the womb)
To this day, pregnant women visiting this temple at Tanjore and praying to Shri Garbharakshambika have a peaceful delivery and it is believed that the Devi takes care of them and vouches safety to women during pregnancy and childbirth, just as she took care of Vedhika.
POPULARITY OF THE TEMPLE
Goddess Garbharakshambika is one of the most popular form of shakti in Tamilnadu.
She is the lovely embodiment of womanhood and in this avatar as Garbharakshambika she has been ever gracious upon all womanhood to be the Goddess responsible to take care of women with uterus related disorders and pregnancy.
The fame of this temple rests largely upon the Goddess Shri Garbharakshambika (an avatar of Goddess Parvati) who offers protection to, the human embryo. And it is no wonder that this temple draws worshippers from all sects.
It is believed that childless people who worship here with devotion and faith are blessed with pregnancy and pregnant women with safe deliveries. Unmarried women also pray here for their marriages. Special prayers are conducted by people on behalf of their pregnant relatives or friends.
The uniform experience of the people of these parts bears unfailing testimony to the said characteristic attributed to the Deity. The inhabitants of the village speak to the fact, that within Irving memory, there has been no case of fatality to the mother or child during confinement. Pregnant women from elsewhere come here and pray to the God and Goddess for a safe child birth. No one in this place has ever had a miscarriage or pregnancy problem. It is at a place like this that one can understand what "Divine Presence" is.
POOJA AND PRASADAM
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 woman will certainly conceive soon and they will be blessed with children.
Pregnant women expecting deliveries should offer castor oil, which will be placed, at the Feet of Sri Garbharakshambikai, charged with mantras and offered to them. This castor oil has wonderful property. When the women gets the labour pains, this oil should be smeared on their abdomen. This will eliminate all complications, dangers and after effects of deliveries and make the deliveries quite easy.
Special pooja at Garbharakshambika temple
The special Pooja and Pushpanjali at the Garbharakshambika temple help to overcome problems related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Auspicious Times: All days are auspicious in this temple; Pradhoshams are very special in this temple, as in other Siva temples.
Pooja Offerings
For pooja coconut, banana, betel & Nut are offered, castor oil is offered which is kept in the feet of the goddess for mantra.
Charging of Castor Oil for Easy Deliveries.
Ghee is offered which is kept in the feet of the goddess for manthra.
Charged Ghee is believed to Bless the couple with Children.
CONTACT THE TEMPLE
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Arulmigu Mullai Vananathar Thirukkoil Thirukkarugavur (P.O) Papanasam Tk. Thanjavur Dt. 614 302 Tamil Nadu
Phone : (04374) 273423
Email ; enquiry@garbarakshambigai.com
Below are the links to contact the temple

PARIHARAM.COM
You can get the Puja done through pariharam.com. They will send you the prasadam. 
Below is their link

Delivery of prasadam process takes: 
3 to 4 days from performing date for Indian address. 
5 to 7 days from performing date for Euroupe, Gulf and Asian address. 
10 to 12 days from performing date for US, Canada and Australia address.
The amount details are available at the above link.

EPRARTHANA.COM
www.eprarthana.com offers pooja at this temple and sends you prasad.

HINDUPUROHIT.COM
www.hindupurohit.com will perform the pooja and courier the prasadam to you.

Kindly check these websites for more information.

SHLOKAS
The garbharakshambika sloka in tamil is as follows
"Hey Shankara smarahara Bramadhaa dha naadha Mannaadha saamba sasisooda hara thrisoolin Sambo suhaprasavagrudh bhava mey dhayaalo
Sri mathru boodha siva paalayamaam namaste! Himavathyuththarey paarsvey seeradha naama yakshinee Thasyaahaa smarana maathrenaa vichalya gharbinee bhavethu!! "

Check this link for more Shlokas. The Shlokas are available in Tamil and English
or you can also get the same shlokas at the below link














WISH EVERYONE GOOD LUCK AND MAY GODDESS GARBHARAKSHAMBIKA AND MULLAIVANANATHAR SHOWER THEIR CHOICEST BLESSINGS ON ALL.

30 comments:

  1. Hi Sukanya,

    Thanks alot for the link.I have songs and slogam,but never know the story.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for your article. Its quite informative, well appreciated
    Cheers
    Vasudev

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi..thanks you very much for this valuable information on this goddess and temple.

    ReplyDelete
  4. thank you very much for this valuable information on this goddess and temple

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Sukanya...
    Thnaks for the information about Amma...Its really valuble info.

    Thnaks again,
    Jagdish

    ReplyDelete
  6. hi Sukanya,

    Thank you very much for the valuable information. what mantra should i chant to get pregnant. kindly help.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Can you provide the information on the boy baby names to be kept for babys born by blessings of this god.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Sukanya, thanks a loooot for the valuable information you've provided with and all the pics. Much Appreciated!!Om Namashivaya. God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Many thanks for your information,
    I want slogam, to become pregnant.
    can anyone help me please...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks a lot Sukanya.

    @Ezhilarasi
    You may chant this stotra. And listen to it at http://www.raaga.com/channels/nirvana/moviedetail.asp?mid=NI00067.
    *the first track(


    1. Om Devendrani namostubhyam
    Devendra-piriya bhamini
    O Mother Goddess, O the beautiful consort of God almighty, I salute you.

    2. Vivaham vagyam arogyam
    Putra labham cha dehime
    Bless me with happy conjugal life, health and children.

    3.Katyayani Maha-maye
    Maha yoginyadhiswari
    O Godess Katyayani, O potency of the Lord, The controller of great mystic power,

    4.Nandagop-sutam devam
    Patime kuru te namam
    Make the son of Nanda Maharaj my husband. I worship You.

    5.Patim dehi sutam dehi
    Sauvagyam dehime Subhe
    O the giver of all good, give me the boon of husband, children and prosperity.

    6.Soumangalyam subham gyanam
    Dehime Garbarakshake
    O protector of womb, bestow me with a blessed from, fortune and knowledge.

    I desperately searched for the meaning of these auspicious stotras, but found none. So to help other and myself, I have tried to translate them with my limited Sanskrit knowledge and capacity. I hope Devi will forgive my ignorance and bless me soon. Please pray for me.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi sukanya,

    Iam very grateful to you for providing me the link to the mantras...i heard them its an amazing feeling listening to them..

    ReplyDelete
  12. @Sutapa in Sanskrit means Sun

    Though your interpretation of the shlokas seems great there is a flaw in the sequence of the verses. I visited the temple 2 weeks ago and have a booklet which confirms it. Just rejigging the verses

    Om Devendrani namostubhyam
    Devendra-piriya bhamini

    Vivaham vagyam arogyam
    Putra labham cha dehime

    Patim dehi sutam dehi
    Sauvagyam dehime Subhe

    Soumangalyam subham gyanam
    Dehime Garbarakshake

    Katyayani Maha-maye
    Maha yoginyadhiswari

    Nandagop-sutam devam
    Patime kuru te namam

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Vidhi, Since you have authenticated it with the temple booklet. I will go ahead and make the change. Thanks for letting me know. This will be read by many people and you will be getting a share of the blessings of the Goddess too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to you SUKANYA for giving almost all details of the temple, required by a devotee. The information is quite useful. Comparatively, the temple site has given only 10% of the details given by you. They forgot even to give details about Ghee, Castor oil prasadams which are unique for this temple. HATS OFF YOU. May God Bless you to post such informations about various temples.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you Mr.Krishnamoorthy, that was a very touching comment. Thank you very much for the blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for information...
    My wife got pregnancy after 4 years but now some complications in her pregnancy we need blessings.
    Please pray for us.
    I expect your reply ASAP,,,,
    Name Kameshwaran-swathi-thula-21/10/1979
    Wife name : Sudha-Revathi-Meena-10/08/1982

    ReplyDelete
  17. @kamesh-May goddess Garbharakshambika shower her choicest blessings on you'll. You can contact the temple by mail and ask them to send you the prasadams, the details are in my write up. Also ask her to recite the shlokas mentioned in my comments section and in my blog. Don't worry, God willing everything will be okay.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear sukanya,
    I have been waiting for children since 2.5 years.finally by Gods grace i came to know about Garbharakshambikai Amma.
    i found many sites stating that they perform puja on our behalf. i am coufused.
    could you please send me a genuine link which helps me in performing puja for on my behalf..
    awaiting for your response
    Rashmi.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear sukanya,
    I have been waiting for children since 2.5 years.finally by Gods grace i came to know about Garbharakshambikai Amma.
    i found many sites stating that they perform puja on our behalf. i am coufused.
    could you please send me a genuine link which helps me in performing puja for on my behalf..
    awaiting for your response
    Rashmi.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Sukanya, the information provided on this website is awesome. I have been a devotee of goddess Garbharakshambigai since Jun 2012. We were trying to get pregnant for a long time and with the blessings of the Goddess I conceived in September. We have been ecstatic! I also havd the castor oil prasadam from the temple and pray to the Goddess for a successful pregnancy and smooth delivery. Hope and pray the Goddess blesses you all.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for sharing information about goddess and providing mantras!! very Nice!!
    Online Bus Ticket Reservation

    ReplyDelete
  22. hi sukanya

    Plz if u could provide meaning of following

    Hey, Shankara Smarahara Brahmadhathi
    Nathari Mannatha Samba Sasisooda
    Harathiri soolin sambo sugaprasava Grithbavamey
    Dayalo, Hey Madhavi Vanesa Palaiyamaam Namasthey
    Another Sloga For Easy Delivery:
    Himavat Uttharey, Parswey, Suratha Namayakshinee,
    Thasya, Smarana, Mathrena, Visalya, Gharbinee bavedhu.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi...Thank u so much for sharing the information about garbharakshambika amma.. It is very awesome..
    We were trying to getting a pregnancy for long time.. Few months back I heard about garbharakshambika amma...we send money for ghee Prasadam.. Yesterday we got Prasadam...we started to take the Prasadam.. and waiting for amma blessings..

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi,
    I got to know about this temple and goddess by one of my family frnd. I hav been married since 5 years. Since 5 years I am also suffering from my menstrual health. I am also willing to perform puja to the goddess and be blessed by her for my overall health. Can anybody suggest me with the process that I can follow. Thank u.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi sukanya. Thank you for sharing information of goddess Garbharakshanambika . We are very eagerly want to visit devi.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Truly, this article is really one of the very best in the history of articles. I am a antique ’Article’ collector and I sometimes read some new articles if I find them interesting. And I found this one pretty fascinating and it should go into my collection. Very good work!

    benefits of eating ghee

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is a fabulous post I seen because of offer it. It is really what I expected to see trust in future you will continue in sharing such a mind boggling post hill station in tamilnadu

    ReplyDelete

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