Mullaivananathar Temple, Tirukkarukavur
Location: Tiru-Karukaavur
Deity known as: Mullaivananathar, Mullaivaneswar
Female Deity: Garbha Rakshambikai
Pathikam: TiruGyanasambandhar - 1, TiruNavukkarasar - 1
Gallery - Mullai-Vana-Nathar Temple
How to reach
This shiva temple is just 8 km from the town of Papanasam on the Kumbakonam–Thanjavur main road. It is about 20 km southwest of Kumbakonam and 20 km northeast of Thanjavur, making it easily accessible from both towns.
Travel Tips
Travelers from Papanasam and Kumbakonam can take buses going via Saliyamangalam route and get down at the Thirukkarukavur Temple Arch stop. The temple is about 450 meters from there. There are shops selling merchandises (flowers etc) outside the temple, but prices tend to be slightly higher. Devotees visiting for childbirth and safe delivery prayers can purchase the required items at the shops inside the temple. While buses from Papanasam and Kumbakonam to the temple are frequent, the return journey depends mainly on buses from Saliyamangalam, which operate at intervals of about 30 minutes.
Temple Address
TiruKarukavur
Papanasam Taluk
Thanjavur District
PIN - 614302
Temple hours
Morning: 5:30 - 12:30
Evening: 4:00 - 8:00
The temple observes special timings during the Tamil month of Margazhi (mid-December to mid-January). On these days, it opens early at 5:00 a.m. and remains open until 12:00 noon. In the evening, it reopens at 4:00 p.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m.
Near by Temples
| 1 | TiruChakkarapalli - 13 kms | |
| 2 | TiruPalaithurai - 8 kms | |
| 3 | TiruNallur - 8.7 kms | |
| 4 | Avur Pasupatheeswaram - 8.2 kms |
Somaskanda
The divine form of God Shiva seated with Goddess Uma and Lord Muruga is known as Somaskanda. Among the temples built in this unique form, the Mullai Vananathar Temple at Thirukkarukavur is one. Here, between the sanctums of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati, there is a sannidhi for Muruga with Valli and Deivanai. Such an arrangement is found only in a few Shiva temples. The temple also has an inner circumambulatory path surrounding the three sanctums.
The Layout
Towers
This temple, measuring 460 feet in length and 285 feet in width, has a five-tiered Rajagopuram on the eastern side and another entrance on the southern side. Outside the eastern tower gateway lies the sacred tank called Sheerakundam, said to have been created by Kamadhenu, the divine cow of the celestial world. Entering through the eastern gopuram, one finds a long mandapam or enclosure leading up to the second tower, which has three tiers. Passing through this second gopuram, the flagstaff (Kodimaram), the sacrificial altar (Balipeeṭam), and a pair of Nandis can be seen.
Subsidiary Deities
Starting from here and proceeding clockwise around the inner prakaram, one can see the sanctum of the 63 Nayanmars, the sanctum of the four primary nayanmars (Nālvār), the sanctum of Niruthi Vinayaka, the sanctum of Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, and the sanctum of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Mullaivananathar
Inside the sanctum, the presiding deity Mullaivananathar faces east and is a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Lingam. Since He appeared in a forest of jasmine (mullai) creepers, even today one can see the natural impressions of jasmine creepers on the surface of the Lingam. As the Lingam is in the form of an anthill, no abhishekam (ritual bathing) is performed; instead, worship is offered by applying only 'punugu' (a fragrant paste). Devotees firmly believe, through their own experiences, that offering punugu to the Deity on the day of Pradosham during the waxing fortnight cures incurable diseases. However, one cannot bring 'punugu' along as it is not permitted; the temple itself collects the required amount from devotees for the ritual of applying punugu to the deity.
Garbha Rakshambikai
The sannidhi of the Goddess Garbha Rakshambikai is situated to the left of the main sanctum, facing east. The presiding Goddess here is also known as 'Karu katha Nayaki'. Devotees worship Goddess Garbha Rakshambika with deep faith for the blessings of childbirth and successful marriage.
Pancha Aranya Temples
The five temples which collectively make the Pancha Aranya Sthalams are Thirukkarukavur, Alangudi, Avalivanallur, Haridwaramangalam and Thirukollampudhoor. Thirukkarukavur is the first among this group of temples to be visited early in the morning, between 5:30 and 6AM. Inscriptions from Raja Raja Chola's period as well as those from Parantaka Chola's period (early 10th century) are seen inside the temple. The special feature of this temple is that the moon's rays fall on the Lingam on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Panguni (March/April) every year.
Legend associated with the Temple
Sage Niruthuva and his wife Vedikai once lived in this holy place. At one time, Sage Niruthuva had to leave the place for an important errand. His wife Vedikai was then pregnant. Since it was the peak of summer, she was exhausted and lay resting inside the house. Another ascetic, Sage Oorthuva, happened to pass that way. Tired from the scorching heat, he called out, expecting that someone from the house might offer him food and water. But as no one responded, he looked inside and saw Vedikai in a lying position, with her back turned, asleep. From his vantage point the sage could only see the back and not realizing that she was pregnant and resting from fatigue, he became angry and cursed her before leaving. By the time Vedikai awoke, the sage had gone far away. Shocked and fearful at having been cursed by a sage, she prayed earnestly to Mullaivananathar and His consort to protect her pregnancy. Pleased with her devotion, the Goddess safeguarded her womb and blessed her. When Niruthuva Muni returned and heard what had happened, he prayed to the Deity that any pregnant woman who came to this site to worship should be granted safe childbirth and divine protection for the child in her womb. The God and Goddess granted this boon with grace. From that time onward, the Goddess of this temple has been known as Karukatha Nayaki and Garbha Rakshambika.
Gallery
