This week’s Podcast is about “Sri Garbarakshaambigai sametha Mullaivananathar Thirukovil,Thirukkarugavur.

This temple is situated on the banks of the river Vettaar. Can be reached from both Thanjavoor and Kumbakoenam . From Thanjavoor and Kumbakonam town buses are available . A small village situated on Papanasam - Chaaliyamangalam road . Papanasam is on Thanjavoor - Kumbakonam road.

There is a main rajagopuram on the east and the temple has also got an entrance on the south side. Both the shrines of Lord Mullaivana Nathar and Goddess Garbha Ratchaambikai are situated in the main outer prakaram facing the east direction.

The sivalingam in the main sanctum of this temple is a Swayambu Lingam, one out of the 64 in the world. This Lingam is made up of ant hill mud. Hence there is no water abhishekam for this Lord. Instead, the Lingam is merely pasted with a kind of must called "Punuhu" in tamil. People who are afflicted with incurable diseases come to this temple, offer "Punuhu Chattam" to the Lord and get themselves relieved of their diseases.

It is believed that the Nandi and Karpaga Vinayagar inside the temple are also Swaymbu. In the Sivalingam one can see even today the impression of jasmine creepers which once covbered the Sivalingam. The shrine for presiding female deity Garbharatchaambikai is situated to the left of the Siva temple.

There is also a shrine for Lord Subramanian. 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 falls on the Siva lingam on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Panguni (March/April) every year.

Pregnant women from elsewhere come here and pray to the God and Goddess for a safe child birth. No one in this place has ever had a miscarriage or pregnancy problem. It is told that worshipping the Main deity God Shiva will cure all kinds of skin diseases. Beema , garkiyar , Kouthamar and a lot of ancient kings worshipped the God in this temple

To hear more:

Download Episode 7: Sri Garbharakshambal karu kaatha Nayagi kovil