Garbarakshambigai or Karu-kakkumnayagi Temple in Tirukarukavur is located at a distance of 22 Km from Kumbakonam. One has to travel to Papanasam from Kumbakonam and travel 6 Km in Papanasam Saliamangalam road to reach Tirukarukavur. The Google Map Location of the same is as follows,
https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Thirukarugavur+Temple/@10.8979686,79.2552389,12z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x0:0xf650bc8f6771c33c!2sThirukarugavur+Temple!8m2!3d10.8690618!4d79.2767635!3m4!1s0x0:0xf650bc8f6771c33c!8m2!3d10.8690618!4d79.2767635
Colourful Temple Raja Gopuram
Garbarakshambigai is the Goddess who gives protection to the Foetus in womb.
Agasthiar.org details that Karuvalarchery Temple nearby gives the blessing of Growth of Foetus and Karukakkumnayagi gives the blessing of Protection of developed Foetus. Their web link is as follows,
My earlier post on Karuvalarchery details the significance of the Temple,
Specifically women who have had miscarriages, abortions, PCOD, painful/irregular mensuration problems can pray to Garbarakshambigai, get their problems relieved and ensure safe delivery of child. Both men and women can get fertility issues sorted out through prayers in this Temple.
Agasthya Vijayam, Tamil Monthly Spiritual Magazine details that three devis namely Godhayi Kulkarani devi, Kulaavi malakarani devi and Bandhubakshana karani devi protect women during their mensural period. These Dwara Shakthi devi mentioned above pray to Garbarakshambika so that the women are blessed with children. It is to be noted that regular normal mensural period cycles is one the primary per-requisites associated with fertility in women.
The Sthala Puranam of Temple details as to how Garbarakambigai prevented miscarriages and ensured safe delivery of child.
Once this place was a forest filled with Mullai Flower creeepers. Niduruvar and Vedhikai were childless couple who came to this place and prayed to Gautama and Gargeya Maharishi here.
They were advised to pray to Garbarakambigai and they did so
Nithuruvar went outside to take part in Yagna and Vedhikai was left alone in the house as a pregnant woman. She was unconscious due to her pregnancy when Urdhuvapathar Maharishi came and asked for Biksha/Alms. Since she was unconscious, she could not respond to the Maharishi's call. Urdhuvapadhar Maharishi cursed her unknowingly.
Due to the curse, the foetus of Vedhikai disintegrated and Vedhikai prayed to Goddess. Garbarakshambigai appeared before her, protected the foetus and preserved it in a kalasam until it developed into a male child. The Male Child was presented to the couple and he was named Naidhuruvan.
Kamadhenu the celestial cow who grants wishes of devotees was asked to create a pond here known as Paal kulam or Milk Pond to feed the child Naiduruvan.
Paal Kulam Today
The immensely grateful Vedhikai prayed to Goddess that she should stay in this place and bless couples so that they are blessed with children and also ensure safe delivery of child. The Couple along with their child Naidhuruvan are seen praying to God below. Mullaivananathar and Garbarakshambigai accepted their prayers. They stay here blessing childless couples to have childbirth blessings.
Mullaivana Nathar
Since this place was filled with Mullai plants, Shiva here is known as Mullai-vana-nathar. The Shiva Linga is Swayambu and made of Putru Man. Hence no abhishekam is performed to Shiva Linga and Punugu or Musk is smeared in the Shiva Lingam.
Prayer for Childbirth
Couples praying for children come together and purchase tickets for smearing Cow Ghee in the Vasar Padi or Stone in front of Garbarakambigai. Then
Women put a kolam with Rice Flour in
Vasar Padi. This Prayer is known as Padi Mezhuguthal in front of Ambal
Sannidhi.
Some Ghee is given as prasadam here and couple are to mix it with 1 Kg ghee at home and take it daily in the night.The couple have to recite the mantra below for blessings everyday.
"Devendrani Namasthubyam Devendra Priya Bhamini,
Vivaha Bhagyam Arogyam Putra Labham cha Dehime !
Pathim Dehi Sutham Dehi Sowbhagyam Dehi Me Subhe !
Sowmangalyam Subham Gnanam Dehi me Garbarakshambike !
Katyayani Mahamaye Mayoginyadeeswari,
Nandagopa sutham devi, Pathim me kuruthe Namaha!!"
Pooja for Safe Delivery
Vilakkennai or Castor Oil blessed at the feet of Garbarakambigai is is given as prasadam to pregnant women who smear it in their stomach for safe delivery. The following sloka is also recited for safe delivery,
"He Shankara! Smarahara, Pramathinatha Mannatha Samba Sasichooda
Hara Trisoolin Sambo Sukha Prasava Krith
Bava Me Dayalo
He Madhavi Vanesa Paalaya Maam Namasthe!"
"Himavath Yuttare Paarsve
Suratha Nama Yakshini
Thasyaa Smarana Maatrena
Visalya Garbini Bhaveth"
Once couple's prayers are answered, they bring their child here and cradle the child in Thotil which is taken around the Temple as seen below.
Also Thula Baram or Offerings in proportion to the child's weight is offered to Goddess here.
Gosalai in the Temple
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