Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Navarathri Shakti Series

Shakti series part 2: Sri Garbharakshambika Temple, Tamil Nadu.

The Garbharakshambika temple is situated in the village of Thirukarukavur in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva here is known as Mullaivananatha.

Garbharakshambika means one who protects the womb of the mother. Devi Parvati here blesses women with the gift of a child, & ensures their safe delivery. 'Mullai' in Tamil means 'jasmine' & vana means 'forest'. Thus Mullaivananatha means the Lord who dwells in the forest full of jasmine flowers. Lord Shiva here is believed to be 'Swayambhu' or 'self manifested'. The Shiva linga is made out of mud & no abhisheka is performed here. Even today an impression of a jasmine creeper can be found on the Shiva linga. Lord Mullaivananatha blesses devotees with good health & prayers to Him are believed to cure even the most incurable of diseases.

Devi Garbharakshambika is said to have blessed one of her devotees with a child & when she almost lost her unborn child, Devi protected her & her child was born safely. Ever since, all couples who desire to have a child pray to Devi Garbharakshambika to bless them & also protect their unborn children & ensure their safe delivery. Ghee offered to Devi during worship is consumed by women desiring to have a child & castor oil offered during worship is used to enable safe delivery.

May Devi bless one and all. Jai Mata Di