Goddess
The main deity of this temple is Garbarakshambigai Amman, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi faces East direction is swayambhu with a height of 7 feet tall along with Sri Mullaivananathar. Garbarakshambigai Amman is standing posture with a divine grace with one hand resting of the lower hip as if protecting the woman and the other with and the Abhaya Mudra symbolizing protection, peace and dispelling of fear.
God
Sri Mullaivananathar is Husband of Garbarakshambigai Amman.
Interesting Facts
- This is the first temple to be worshipped in Pancha Aaranya (five forest temples) sequence. The other temples are Alangudi, Avalivanallur and Thirukollampudur.
Best Season To Visit
The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to March.
Weather
Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 25°C during night)Average - May (36 °C during the day and 20 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (28 °C during day and 19 °C during night)Monsoon season - August to September
Dress Code
- For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
- For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
- These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
- Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.
Do's & Dont's
- Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.
transport connections
| Name | Distance | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
 Papanasam Bus Stand |
6 KM | 1800-419-4287 |
 Papanasam Railway Station |
6.6 KM | 139 |
 Tiruchirappalli International Airport |
74 KM | 07373774163 |
Architecture
Origin of the Name - This place was a Jasmine forest, Jasmine in Tamil is Mullai and hence the name Mullaivananathar. “The Mother who Protects the Womb” - 'Garba' means 'womb', and 'raksha' means 'the protector' and 'Ambika' or 'Ambigai' means 'the Goddess'. The name of the place itself brings out the significance of the temple.
The temple faces East direction and built in Dravidian style of architecture. It has 5-tier Raja gopuram. The temple has 31 inscriptions dating from the Chola period from the reigns of Koparakesari Varman, Raja Raja-I, Rajendra Chola-I and Kulothunga Chola. The inscriptions record the grants of the temple by the kings. The inscriptions are found on the walls of the temple, sanctum and also in the halls. The inscriptions are recorded in numbers 100, 102 and 110 in South Indian Inscriptions, Volume-III, Part-III. Inscriptions from King Raja Raja Chola’s period who ruled between 985 and 1014 A.D. as well as those from Parantaka Chola’s period (early 10th century A.D.) are seen inside the temple. Various rulers in Pallava, Chola dynasty have endowed land for this temple and they have been marked as inscription in granite stones affixed adjacent to the Vimana of Swamy Sannadhi. There is a Nataraja hall, Vasantha mandapam and a Yagasalai. The linga is made up of Ant hill mud. There is a koneru named as Ksheera kundam.
Religious Significance
In the distant past two Sages by the name of Gowthama and Gargeya did penance at this place called 'MULLAIVANAM' i.e, (Jasmine Forest). 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 represented this to the Sages. The Sages advised the couple to worship Sri Garbarakshambigai. The couple did that with intense devotion and their prayers got answered. Vedikai got conceived. During her later stage of pregnancy and while her husband Nidhruva was away from home she was in a faint state due to the strain of pregnancy. At this moment, a Sage by name Sri Urdhuvapada came to her abode and asked for alms. Due to her unconscious state of mind, she did not respond to that sage's request. The Sage was enraged at this apparent indifference and cursed her without knowing the exact reason for her silence. Due to the curse, her fetus got disintegrated and descended. Shocked Vedikai prayed to the Goddess in great distress. The Goddess appeared before her, protected the fetus, preserved it in a sacred pot until it developed into a male child and presented it to the devoted couple. The parents named their child as 'Naidhuruvan'.
Struck by this great act of benevolence of the Almighty Goddess, the immensely grateful Vedikai prayed to the Goddess to remain in this place and protect women and their foetus as she had done in her case. The Goddess accepted her prayer and remains here as 'Garbharakshambigai' meaning 'savior of foetus'. Due to this fame this place came to be known as 'Thirukarukavur' i.e., the place where pregnancy is protected and also the place where childless couples are blessed with children. Later while Vedikai had no mother's milk to feed her child Naidhuruvan, answering her prayers Goddess sent 'Kamadhenu' the divine cow to this place to feed the child. Kamadhenu scratched 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'.
History
The temple was built in 6th century A.D. by Cholas. Beema, Garkiyar, Gouthamar and a lot of ancient kings worshipped the God in this temple. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar had sung the glory of lord of the temple in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 18th Shiva temple on the Southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns. The temple finds mention in Tevaram of the 7th century,12 volume Saiva canonical works by Tamil saints, namely Appar, Sundarar and Sampanthar.
Temple Timings
| Day | Timings | |
|---|---|---|
| All Days | 05:00 AM - 12:30 PM | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
Sevas
Pooja
Tours
Airports
| Airport Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| Shamshabad | 40 KM |
| Lorem Ipsum | 12 KM |
Railway Stations
| Railway Station Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| Secunderabad | 10 KM |
| Nampally | 12 KM |
| Begumpet | 6 KM |
| Lingampally | 20 KM |
Bus Stations
| Bus Station Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| MGBS | 35 KM |
| CBS | 28 KM |
| kukatpally | 20 KM |
| Lingampally | 30 KM |
| Uppal | 35 KM |
Private Transports
| Transport Name | Distance | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| Private Transport | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
Local Transports
| Transport Name | Distance | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| Local Transport | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
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