Garbha Rakshambika Temple at Thirukarukavur

We had given the details of Pancha-aaranya sthalams in our earlier blog. This is the 1st of the Pancha-aaranya sthala. This temple is to be visited in the wee hours of the morning. This place is situated in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. This temple is one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Neyanmars. This temple is about 2000 years old.

Moolavar (Main deity): Shiva – Sri Mullaivananadar

Amman (Name of Consort): Parvati –
Sri Garbha Rakshaambika, Sri Karukathanayaki

Sthala vruksha: Malati Creepers (Mullai in Tamil)

Other important deity: Karpaga Vinayaka

Time for Darshan: Ushakal (very early morning)

Both God Vinayaka and Lord Shiva are swayambhu murtis. In early days this place was abundant with Malati (Jasmine) creepers. Even today we come across the marks made by the creeper on the Shivalinga. 

Legend:

A muni named Niruthava was staying at this place along with his wife Vediki. When she was pregnant Sage Urdhapada came to their hermitage. As the lady was in an advanced stage of pregnancy, she could not notice the arrival of sage. The sage got angry and cursed that the fetus should be still-born. Niruthava and his wife sought the grace of Mullaivananadar and Goddess Parvati. They prayed and begged Lord Shiva and Parvati to save their child. Ambika rescued the fetus and placed it inside a pot and guarded it. After the child was born, She created a tank with the help of Holi Cow Kamadhenu to provide milk for the child. As requested by Vediki, Ambika promised to protect the pregnancy and grant a child to all those who prayed at this place.

At this place the prayers are offered by those suffering from skin disease as there is a medicinal plant (known as Punugu) available at this place. Abhishek of Lord Shiva is done with the help of this plant. The Lord is the swayambhu Linga in the form of an ant-hill. Hence no Abhishek is done on the Shivalinga. A nandi at this temple is also swayambhu. The Godmother graces the devotees with Her hand on the hip.

Other Shrines in this temple – 

1. Somskandha

2. Navagraha shrine – Here all the planets are facing the Sun which is a unique feature.

Main Pooja – Pradosh Puja is performed on Sunday in the Tamil month of Karthik. Special Abhishek is also performed for the Shivalinga with 1008 conch shells.