Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 135th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 18th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
This ancient temple is
believed to be over 2,000 years old and is situated on the banks of the river
Vettaru. This temple is spread over 3 acres of land. The historical names of
this place are Mullaivanam, Garbapuri and Madhavivanam (Madhavi means “Mullai”
plant, a variety of jasmine).
Five
Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams:
There are five Devara
Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams at different places in the Thanjavur, Kumbakonam
and Thiruvarur regions which are revered as “Pancha Aranya
Sthalams”. Thirukkarukavur is one among them. “Pancha” means five and
“Aranyam / Vanam” means forest in Tamil. In ancient times, these regions were
densely forested. These five temples are –
1. Sri Mullaivananathar
Temple at Thirukkarukavur with “Mullai” forest (vanam);
2. Sri Satchi Nathar Temple at Avalivanallur with “Paadhiri” forest (vanam);
3. Sri Paathaaleswarar Temple at Thiru Aradaipperumpazhi (Haridwara Mangalam)
with “Vanni” forest (vanam);
4. Sri Aapathsahayeswarar Temple at Thiru Irumpoolai (Alangudi) with “Poolai”
forest (vanam);
5. Sri Vilvavaneswarar
Temple at Thirukkollampudur with “Vilva” forest (vanam).
Worshiping the lord at
these five temples in a single day is considered to be auspicious. These
temples should be visited in the order given above at the following times -
early morning, morning, noon, evening and night respectively. It is also
believed that Saint Thiru Gnanasambanthar worshiped Lord Shiva at these temples
in this order. It is believed that by worshiping the lord in these 5 temples in
this prescribed order, devotees will be absolved of the sins of their previous
birth. It is also believed that such worship would help devotees break away
from the repetitive cycle of birth and re-birth.
Sri
Bhavaroga Nivaaranan:
The lingam was found in
the midst of jasmine plants here. Hence the lord is praised as “Sri Mullai Vana
Nathar”. The mark of the creepers around the lingam can be seen. This
lingam is big in size and is a self-manifested lingam that formed from the mud
of an ant-hill. It is always covered with a metal bowl (“Kuvalai” in Tamil).
Hence, no “abhishekam” is performed to the lingam directly and only
“Punuhu” (civet) is applied. Devotees who are afflicted with incurable diseases
come to this temple during Pradosham days of the full moon fortnight, offer
"Punuhu Chattam" to Lord Shiva to seek relief for their afflictions.
The lord is also praised as “Sri Bhavaroga Nivaaranan” as he is believed to be
the lord who relieves devotees from their sins.
Vedhikai:
Vedhikai, wife of Sage
Nithruvan. It is believed that both lived in this place and worshiped Sri
Mullaivana Nathar and Goddess Parvathi in order to be blessed with a child.
Once, when Vedhikai was in an advanced stage of pregnancy, she became very
tired and was taking rest in her house. Her husband was not home at that time.
Incidentally, another sage by the name of Urthuvapadar, who was passing by her
house, was thirsty and tried to call someone from the house. In spite of his
repeated calls, no one came out. When the sage looked inside the house, he saw
Vedhikai asleep. Not realising that she was pregnant, he cursed her and went
away. Due to this curse, her foetus got disintegrated.
When Vedhikai woke up
and realised that someone had visited her house, she came out and saw the Sage
Urthuvapadar leaving. She then noticed that something was wrong with her body
as she felt uneasy. Afraid that the sage might have cursed her, she prayed to
Goddess Parvathi for help. The Goddess appeared before her, protected the
foetus by preserving it in a “Kalas” (sacred pot) until it developed to a fully
grown male child. The parents named their child as “Naidhuruvan”.
Vedhikai again
approached the goddess for help as she had no milk to feed her child. The
goddess directed Kamadhenu, the divine cow, to this place to feed the child. It
is believed that Kamadhenu created a “Milk tank” (“Ksheera kundam”) by
scratching the earth in front of the temple with her hoof. This tank can still
be seen today.
Sage
Nithruvan:
Sage Nithruvan came to
know from his wife what had happened, he prayed to the goddess that she protect
all the pregnant women who visits this place to worship her. Goddess Parvathi
agreed to his request and is believed to be blessing the devotees since then.
Hence, the goddess is praised as “Sri Garbha Rakchambikai”. “Garbham” means
pregnancy, “Raksha” means “to protect” and “Ambikai” means goddess in Sanskrit.
Similarly, the Tamil name “Sri Karu Katha Nayaki” is derived from “Karu”
meaning foetus, “katha” meaning protector and “nayaki” meaning goddess. It is
because of this incident that this place gets the name “Thiru Karu Katha Oor”.
It has now been changed to Thiru karu kavoor.
Goddess
Parvathi:
The procedure to
worship goddess Parvathi here is –
·
For removal of obstacles from marriage
proposals:
·
Devotees are advised to clean the
sanctum’s steps with ghee, draw Rangoli and then perform the pooja.
·
For “Santhana Prapthi” (child boon):
·
Devotees are advised to clean the
sanctum’s steps with ghee, draw Rangoli and then perform the pooja;
·
A portion of the ghee that is offered to
the goddess is given back to the devotees. They have to consume it for 48
consecutive nights.
For safe delivery
during pregnancy:
·
This temple offers castor oil after
performing puja using it. Pregnant women are advised to apply it on the stomach
during the time of labour pain.
People who worshipped here:
Lord Brahma, Chandran
and Kamadenu have worshiped the lord here. Kings Kujaththuvasan,
Sangukarnan and Punniyathuvasan and Sages Nithruvan, Gowthama and Kaarkkiyar
have also worshiped the lord here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This temple is very famous and devotees
throng this temple in large numbers praying for child boon and safe delivery.
·
This east facing temple with main tower
(Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
·
There are two Nandhis here along with
the flag post and Balipeet.
·
On realisation of their wishes, devotees
offer “Thulabaram” (any goods equal to one’s own weight) to the goddess here.
·
In this temple, Lord Murugan’s shrine is
in between those of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. This type of structure is
called as “Somaskanda” form. It is believed that circumambulating these three
shrines together three times will yield a lot of benefit.
·
There is a hall in the shape of a
chariot which houses the Shivalingam that is believed to have been worshiped by
Sage Nithruvar.
·
It is believed that in this temple the
Nandhi and Karpaga Vinayakar are Swayambu (self-manifested).
·
In this temple’s Navagraham, all the
planets are facing Suryan.
·
The special feature of this temple is
that the moon's rays fall on Lord Shiva on the full moon day in the Tamil month
of Panguni (March-April) every year.
·
This temple is considered to be
significant for its three important attributes – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham
- glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tank.
·
It is pertinent to note that many
gynaecologists visit this temple and worship the goddess for their patients’
safety and successful delivery. Some doctors have contributed heavily to the
renovation and reconstruction of this temple.
·
It is believed that in this village no
women has ever died during pregnancy.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Mullaivananathar, Sri Garbha Pureeswarar, |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Garbha Rakshaambikai, |
|
Theertham |
Brahma
Theertham, Ksheera kundam, Sathya Koopam, Vrudha Cauvery. |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Jasmine
Plant (Mullai) |
BELIEF:
Devotees throng this
temple in large number to worship the lord and goddess to seek “Santhana
Prapthi” (child boon), for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals,
and for safe delivery during pregnancy.
Punugu Chattam is offered to Lord Shiva on all Pradosham days of the full moon fortnight.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
Aani Thirumanjanam |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar Chaturthi |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Annabishekam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
1008 conches abhishekam is performed
to Lord Shiva on all Sundays |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thiru Karthikai |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thirukkarukavur is
situated at a distance of about 20 kms from Tanjure on the Tanjure to
Kumbakonam (Via Thittai-Melattur-Papanasam) route. It is about 20 kms from
Kumbakonam. Nearest railway station is Papanasam on the Mayiladuthurai to
Tanjure line, which is about 5 kms away from this place.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Mullaivananathar Temple,
Thirukkarukavur,
Papanasam,
Tanjure,
Tamil Nadu – 614 302.
LOCATION:
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