Garbharakshambigai temple

The place is also called Tirukalavur, Mullaivanam, Mathavipuram and Garabapuri. Since Mathavi is the temple tree, it is called Mathavipuram (Mullaivanam); Karu means womb, Ka means save and oor means village - Since womb is believed to be saved by the temple deity, the village is called Tirukarukavoor.[3][4]

Pancha Aranya Sthalams: Aranyam means forest and the following five temples at different forests Thanjavur / Kumbakonam / Thiruvarur region are revered as “Pancha Aranya Sthalams”.[5]

• 1. Sri Mullaivananathar Temple at Tirukkarugavur – Mullai vanam [SCN018]
• 2. Sri Satchi Nathar Temple at Avalivanallur – Paadhiri vanam [SCN100]
• 3. Sri Paathaaleswarar Temple at Thiru Aradaipperumpazhi (Haridwara mangalam) – Vanni vanam [SCN099]
• 4. Sri Aapathsahayeswarar Temple at Thiru Erumpoolai (Alangudi) – Poolai vanam [SCN098]
• 5. Sri Vilvavaneswarar Temple at Thirukollam Pudhur – Vilva vanam [SCN113]

It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar Sundarar and Appar.

Entrance of the temple

Thirukarukavoor Temple is dedicated to Shiva and is located near Papanasam, Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple has a 5-tier Rajagopuram and an outer prakaram(closed precincts of a temple). There are inscriptions from Cholas and king Koparakesarivarman. The temple is 460 ft by 284 ft and has a gopuram facing east and also has an entrance facing south.[3] There is a garden in the southern side and a Vasantha Mandapam in the north.[3] The sanctum of Mullaivananathar is in the second precinct and the shrine of Amman is located parallel to the Swami shrine. The shrine is Nandi is located in front of Swami, with the Palipeeda and Dwajasthambam located right behind the Nandi.[3] There is a Nataraja hall and a yagasalai. There are separate shrines for Natarajar, Somaskanda, Karpaga Vinayagar and Navagrahas.[3] There are separate shrines for Sezhkizhar, Nalvar, Santhanachariar, Dakshinamoorthy, Nrithivu Nayakkar, Arthanariswarar, Mahalakshmi, Arumugan, Brahma, Durga and Chandikeswarar.[3] There are four water bodies associated with the temple. Sheerakundam (Parkulam) is the temple tank located opposite to the temple and the water is believed to be born out of the milk of Kamadenu, the sacred cow.[6] Sathyakupam is a well located in between the shrines of Swami and Amman. Brahma Theertham is a tank located north east of the temple - Nataraja gives theerthavari during Karthigai Thivatharai in this tank.[6] Vritha Kaveri is the branch of Kaveri, Vettaru (also called Mullivay) - the stepshore is the bank for many of the temple occasions.[6] The temple tree, Mullai tree is located in between the Swami shrine and Chandikeswarar shrine.[6]

Sculptures in mandapa

The temple finds mention in Tevaram, the 7th century 12 volume Saiva canonical work by Tamil saints, namely Appar, Sundarar and Campantar.[7] The temple also finds mention in Periya Puranam by Sezhkizhar, Siva Ksehtra Sivanamaga Kalivenba by Umapathi Sivam and Vinnapakali Venba by Ramalinga Adigal.[7] Thalapuranam by Ambalavana Pandaram, Nanmaimalai & Rettaimanimalai by Veerabathra swamigal, Pathirru Panthathi by Govindaswami Pillai, Vadamozhi Slogangal by Anatharama Dikshithar and Amman thothirangal Tamilpattu by T.S. Vaithiyanathan are some of the religious works associated with the temple.[7]

Garbharakshambigai Temple Timings

The temple has 31 inscriptions dating from the Chola period from the reigns of Koperi Varman, Raja Raja I, Rajendra Chola I and Kulothunga Chola.[8] 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.[8]

The nearest railway station is in Papanasam, about 3 kilometres from the place. The nearest airport is in Trichy. Thirukarukavoor is situated in Thanjavur - Kumbakonam main road. People from Chennai and northern parts of Tamil Nadu may reach Kumbakonam and from there to Thirukarukavoor. People from east and southern parts of Tamil Nadu must reach Thanjavur and from there to Thirukarukavoor. The temple is one of the prominent and most visited temples in the district.[9]

Vaikasi Visagam for Swami, Adipooram and Navarathri uthsavam for Ambal, Annabishekam, Kanthasashti, Karthigai Mahadeepam, Karthigai Sunday theerthavari and Panguni Uthram are some of the prominent festivals celebrated.[8]

• 
  The temple tank
• 
  Depiction of the legend
• 
  The Garbharakshambigai shrine
• 
  Lord Dakshinamoorthy
• 
  Gopuram view from Temple tank
• 
  Gopuram of the temple
• 
  Sunrise view in temple tank
• 
  The temple tank
• 
  Main Entrance of the Temple

• Official Website of Sri Garbarakshambigai Temple