Garbharakshambigai Temple,Tamil Nadu

The templeGarbharakshambigai Temple the period ofCholas and king Koparakesarivarman. The temple is 460 ft by 284 ft and has a gopuram facing east and a south facing entrance. There is a garden in the southern side and aVasanthaMandapam in the north. Theshrine of Mullaivananathar is in the second area and the shrine of Amman is located parallel to the Swami shrine. The shrine is Nandi is located in front of Swami, with the Palipeeda and Dwajasthambam located right behind the Nandi. There is a Nataraja hall and a yagasalai. There are separate shrines for Natarajar, Somaskanda, KarpagaVinayagar and Navagrahas. There are separate reliquaries even for Sezhkizhar, Nalvar, Santhanachariar, Dakshinamoorthy, NrithivuNayakkar, Arthanariswarar, Mahalakshmi, Arumugan, Brahma, Durga and Chandikeswarar^.There are four water bodies linked with the temple. Sheerakundam (Parkulam) is the temple tank situated opposite to the temple and the water is allegedly born from milk of Kamadenu, the holy cow. Sathyakupam is a well, positioned in between the shrines of Swami and Amman. Brahma Theertham is a tank positioned north east of the temple – Nataraja gives theerthavari during KarthigaiThivatharai in this tank. VrithaKaveri is the branch of Kaveri, Vettaru (also called Mullivay) – the stepshore is the bank for many of the temple occasions.The temple tree, Mullai tree is located in between the Swami and theChandikeswarar shrine.

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In the distant past two sages by the name of Gowthama and Gargeyaperformed penance at Mullaivanam. A couple by name Nidhruva and Vedikai stayed in the same ashram and rendered service to the sages. Since the couple had no children they signified this to the sages. The sages advised the couple to worship Sri Garbarakshambigai. The couple did that with passionatededication and their prayers got answered. The woman conceived shortly after.

During her later stage of pregnancy and while her husband Nidhruva was away from home, she was in a feeble state due to the strain of pregnancy. During this, sage Urdhuvapada came to her house and asked for alms. Due to her unconscious state, she was unable to respond to the sage. The sage was furious at this seeminginsignificance and cursed her without knowing the exact reason for her quietness. Due to the curse, her fetus gotdegenerated and inclined. Traumatized, the poor woman prayed to the Goddess in great suffering. The Goddess appeared before her, securedher fetus, preserved it in a sacred pot until it developed into a male child and then presented it to the devoted couple. The parents named their child as ‘Naidhuruvan’.

Struck by this extraordinary act of kindness of the Deity, the hugelyappreciativeVedikai prayed to the Goddess to remain in this place and protect women and their foetus. The Goddess acknowledged her prayer and remains here as ‘Garbharakshambigai’ meaning ‘savior of foetus’.

Later while Vedikaiwas unable to feed her milk to her child Naidhuruvan, answering her prayers the Goddess sent ‘Kamadhenu’ the celestial cow to this place to feed the child. Kamadhenudug the earth in front of the temple with her hoof and milk came out in plenty from the ground and it formed into a ‘Milk Tank’. This Tank exists even now in the name of ‘Ksheerakundam’.

Ghee prasadampooja. (To conceive)
Castor oil prasadampooja. (For Safe delivery)
( For better health )
Nava kodineitheepam (nine crores ghee lamps)
(Sandal Paste offering)
Thangathottil
Thulaa-bharam

Ear boring and Head tonsure.

Garbharakshambigai Temple is open from 5.30 am to 12.30 pm & 4.30 pm to 8.30 Pm

VaikasiVisagam for Swami
Adipooram and Navarathriuthsavam for Ambal,
Annabishekam, Kanthasashti, KarthigaiMahadeepam, Karthigai Sunday theerthavari and PanguniUthram are some of the other prominent festivals celebrated in the temple

Abishekam Timings

Monday to Thursday: 8.00 am and 4.30 pm

Friday, Saturday: 8.00 am only.

Sunday : No abishegam is performed due to higher number of devotees.

Note: No abishegams are performed in evening on Pradashom days. Similarily no abishegams are performed during festival days.

Garbarakshambigai Mantra

AumGarbarakshambigaayai cha vidhmahe

Mangaladhevadhaayai cha dheemahee

thannodeviprachodhayaath

Garbarakshambikasloka for Marriage and To beget children

Aumdevendhiraaninamosthubyam

Dhevendhirapiriyabaamini

Vivaahabaakyamaarokyam

puthralaabamsadhehime

Padhimdhehisudhamdhehi

Soubaakyamdhehimesubhe

SoumaangalyamsubamGnayanam

DhehimeGarbarakshake

Kaathyaayinimahaamaaye

Mahayoginyadhisvari

Nandhagobaseedhamdhevam

PadhimMegurudheNamah

GarbarakshambigaiSloka for Safe Pregnancy and Delivery of baby

Hey sangaraShamaraharaPramadhaadhiNaadhariMannaadhashaambasasisuda

HarithiriSulinsambosugaprasavakiruthbavamedhayaalo

HeyMaadhaviVanesaPaalayamaamNamasthe

Blessings of Garbarakshambigai for safe delivery of baby

HamavathyutharePaarchveshuradhaanaamayakshini

DhasyaaShmaranaMaathrenavisalyaaGarbinibavedhu

10°52′5″N79°16′32″E

Thirukarugavur, Tamil Nadu

Garbharakshambigai Temple is located 6 km east of Papanasam, 20 km south east of Kumbakonam, 10 km north of Saliyamangalam, 20 km north east of Thanjavur and on the southern bank of Vettar river.

The nearest railway station is in Papanasam, about 3 kilometres from the place. The nearest airport is in Trichy. Thirukarukavur is situated in Thanjavur – Kumbakonam main road