ThiruKarukavur is the abode of Goddess Garbharakshambika and Lord Mullai Vana Nathar . Garba means "Pregnancy" and Raksha means "To Protect" and Ambigai is one of the names of Goddess Parvathi.A remarkable feast about the temple which distinguishes this temple from the other shrines is that the Goddess Garbakashambika not only protects the unborn child, but also bless people whose marriages are being delayed and who long for a child .The Slokas to be recited to the Goddess Garbharakshambigai :
For Marriage and Women to Have child :
Aum devendhiraani namosthubyam . Dhevendhira piriya baamini
Vivaaha baakyam aarokyam Puthra Laabam sadhehime
Padhim dhehi sudham dhehi. Soubaakyam dhehime subhe
Soumaangalyam subam Gnayanam. Dhehime Garbarakshake
Kaathyaayini mahaamaaye. Maha yoginya dhisvari
Nandhagoba seedham dhevam. Padhim Megurudhe Namah
Aum devendhiraani namosthubyam . Dhevendhira piriya baamini
Vivaaha baakyam aarokyam Puthra Laabam sadhehime
Padhim dhehi sudham dhehi. Soubaakyam dhehime subhe
Soumaangalyam subam Gnayanam. Dhehime Garbarakshake
Kaathyaayini mahaamaaye. Maha yoginya dhisvari
Nandhagoba seedham dhevam. Padhim Megurudhe Namah
For Safe Pregnancy and Delivery of baby :
Hey sangara Shamarahara PramadhaadhiNaadhari
Mannaadha shaamba sasisuda
HarithiriSulin sambo sugaprasava kiruthbavame dhayaalo
Hey MaadhaviVanesa Paalayamaam Namasthe
HarithiriSulin sambo sugaprasava kiruthbavame dhayaalo
Hey MaadhaviVanesa Paalayamaam Namasthe
Prasadam offerred : Couples who doesn't have child for long time should offer Gheeto the temple and it will be placed on the feet of the Goddess and will be returned to them.If the couple eats a little of the ghee for 48 days , soon the women will get concieved and will be blessed with child.
Pregnant women expecting deliveries should offer Castor Oil and this will also be placed on the feet of the Goddess and will be returned with blessings. This oil can be applied on their abdomen and once they get the Labour pain , this oil should be applied and their will not be any complications in delivery.
The
other presiding deity is Lord MullaiVana Nathar . Thousands of years before it was a garden of "Mullai" flowers and hence it is called by the name as "Arulmigu Mullai Vana Nathar " temple. The Lord shiva's statue is in the form of a lingam and it is a swayambu Murthi made of mud(Puthhu Mannu, ants mud). And hence no abhishekkam is done to Lord Shiva and worship is offered with "Punuhu".This punuhu saattam is offered as prasadam. And whoever has incurable skin diseases , comes to this temple and prays to Lord Shiva, gets cured. And even till date we can see on the Lingam the marks of "Mullai' flower creepers that ran over the lingam once.Location of the temple : The temle is located in Thirukarukavur, Tanjavur district, Tamilnadu. And it is situated on the banks of the river Vettaru , which is a branch river of sacred rivery Cauvery.
The Temple History : Sage Nithuvar and his wife Vedika were living in this garden of Mullai flowers , when the following incident happened. One day when Sage Nithuvar was away, sage Urdhvapada visited the mullai garden.. Vedhika was tired and was sleeping without showing hospitality to the sage..infact she was having pains due to pregnancy but Urdhvapada unaware of her difficulties got angry that she din't bother to wake up and felt she could be sleeping purposely , decided to curse her .The curse made her get diseased and it also hurted the child in her womb.Vedhika was in worst pain of her life and deeply hurted that her own child is being gradually destroyed and prayed to Goddess Parvathi to help her . Goddess Parvathi took the avatar of Garbarakshambigai and appeared before Vedhika and protected her child in the womb by holding it in a "kalasam " - divine pot..The goddess has helped the child grow in the divine pot untill it grew as full fledged child. When Vedhika cried as she was not able to feed the baby with her milk, A Sacred Cow came infront of the temple and made a lake of sacred milk. The sacred "kulam" is found even now.Vedhikai prayed to Goddess Garbarakshambigai to remain in the temple forever and bless all women with good soul mate, child birth and safe pregnancy.
Thus Goddess Parvathi Devi took the avatar of Garbarakshambigai to give special protection to women during pregnancy
This slokam can be recited by anyone to get the blessings of Goddess Garbarakshambigai :
Aum Garbarakshambigaayai cha vidhmahe
Mangala dhevadhaayai cha dheemahee
Dhanno devi prachodhayaath
Through this website one can contact the temple authorities and can order online the Ghee and Oil prasadam .
Source : www.starsai.com.
