My Spiritual Travelogue - Thirukkarugavur

My Spiritual Travelogue

Sri Garparakshambigai Amman Temple Darshan - Thirukkarugavur

Recently, we visited Thirukkarugavur for darshan of Sri Mullaivananatha Swami and Sri Karparakshambigai Amman Temple in Thirukkarugavur.

This small town - Thirukkarugavur is situated in Tanjore District of South India within a distance of 6 KM from Papanasam, in between Tanjore and Kumbakonam Main Road, on the banks of river 'Vettar'.  Public transport facilities are available to this temple town from Kumbakonam and Tanjore.   Also autorickshaws are available from Papanasam.  This temple town is also known  by other names viz.  - 'Madhavi Vanam', 'Mullai Vanam Thirukkarugavur', 'Garppapuri'.

The temple is  460' in length and 284' in breadth.    The Rajagopuram is in the eastern side and on the south side there is an entrance.  Sri Mullaivananatha Swami sannadhi is situated in the big corridor and on the northern side of it Sri Garpparakshambikai Amman sannadi is there. Both sannadhis have separatre corridors.

Shri Garparakshambigai Amman

                                                   
Greatness of the Goddess Arulmigu Garbarakshambigai

Long Long time ago, two sages - Shri.Gowthama and Shri.Gargeya were medidating and doing penance  here in 'Mullaivanam' - a garden full of jasmine flowering plants in full bloom.  At that time, a couple Nidhruva and Vedikai were also staying there and rendering service to the sages.  The couple had no children and prayed to the sages to bless them for a child.  The sages advised the couple to worship Shri Garbarakshambigai. The couple offered their prayers to Shri Garbarakshambigai amman with intense devotion  to bless them with a child.  Their prayers to Shri Garparakshambigam got answered and Vedikai got conceived.

During her pregnancy period. one day when her husband Nidhruva was away from home, another sage Shri Urdhuvapada came to her ashram  to get alms.  As Vedikai was in her later period of pregnancy she was resting due to the strain of pregnancy and in faint state.  She did not respond to that sage's need due to her unconscious state of mind.  Without knowing her inability, the sage was enraged and cursed her.  As a result of the sage's curse, her foetus got disintegrated and descended. Shocked Vedikai prayed to the Goddess Shri Garparakshambigai in great distress. The Goddess appeared before her, protected the foetus, 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 to 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.

Thus, at this sacred place childless couple who worship the Goddess Shri Garparakshambigam with full devotioin and faith are blessed with pregnancy. Those pregnancies are well protected and the women are blessed with easy deliveries by the grace of Goddess of Shri Garparakshambigai.

Mantras or Prarthana Slogas for early marriages and pregnancy:

தேவேந்தராணி நமஸ்துப்யம்

                                                      தேவேந்திரா ப்ரியபாமினி

         விவாக பாக்கியம் ஆரோக்யம் 

புத்ரலாபம்ச தேஹிமே

பதிம் தேஹி சுதம் தேஹி

சௌபாக்கியம் தேஹிமே சுபே

சௌமாங்கல்யம் சுபம் ஞானம்

தேஹிமே கர்ப்பரக்ஷகே

காத்யாயிணி  மஹாமாயே

மகாயோகின்யதீஸ்வரி

நந்த கோப சுதம் தேவி 

பதிம் மே  குருதே நம  

Mantra for safe delivery:

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 formed a 'Milk Tank'. This Tank exists even now in the name of 'Ksheerakundam'

Greatness of God Arulmigu Shri Mullaivananathar:

The Lord of this place is called 'Mullaivananathar'(meaning lord in jasmine forest). Even today everyone can see the impression of jasmine creepers which once covered it. Linga here is a "Swayambu' i.e. Self Manifested. This Linga is made up of ant hill mud. Hence abishekam to Linga using water is avoided. Instead, the Linga is merely pasted with a kind of must called 'Punuhu' during valarpirai Pradosham.. People who are afflicted with incurable disease come to this place offer 'Punuhu Chattam' to the Lord and get themselves cured from the diseases. This is a fact which is actually verified even today.

Shri Mullaivanatha Swami

Appar, Sundararar, Thirugnanasambandar - the famous Nayanmars have, in praise of  the deities sung verses in their Pathigams.    

                                      கமுத முல்லை கமழ்கின்ற கருகாவூர்

அமுதர் வண்ணம் அழலும் அழல் வண்ணமே

 திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                     கருவாய் உலகுக்கு முன்னே தோன்றுங்

                                     கண்ணாம் கருகாவூர் எந்தை தானே

 திருநாவுக்கரசர்

Given below are some of the prarthana procedures adopted in this temple:

Blessed Ghee for pregnancy

Couples yearning for a child have to come in person to this temple, obtain ghee from the counter, light 11 ghee lamp and must do step smearing (Padi Mezhuguthal) in sacred Ambal Sannadhi and pray for their child. After returning to their home they should buy quality ghee for 1 kg and mix them with the sacred ghee obtained from this temple. Before going to bed couples should take a teaspoonful of the ghee for next 48 days. Women should avoid intake of ghee during their periods, while men should continue without break. We advice the couples to recite the mantras which will be given to them in a book form during their visit to this temple. This is a belief that is backed up by the experience of many.  Persons who are unable to visit this temple in person can obtain blessed ghee from this temple through post or courier. The details are available with the temple authorities who will provide same on  request. 

Blessed castor oil for easy delivery:

Pregnant woman in third trimester has to obtain blessed oil from this temple. It is not necessary for the woman to come in person while her husband or any family member can come and obtain the blessed oil. The oil must be applied in the lower abdomen of the woman during pain. It is advised that the woman to recite the mantras for easy delivery.

Persons who are unable to visit this temple in person can obtain blessed oil from this temple through post or courier. The details available with temple office.  After obtaining the oil follow the procedure as detailed above.

Punugu sattam

Lord Mullaivananthar is Swayambu i.e, self manifested. Therefore no abishegam is done to him. During Valarpirai pradosham days Punugu Abhishegam (Ablution) is done to Shri Mullaivananathar. Punugu is believed to cure incurable and chronic illness. Punugu prasadam can be obtained either in person or through post.

Abishegams are also performed during these timings -  Monday to Thursday: 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Friday, Saturday: 8.00 a.m. only.  Sunday:  No abishegam is performed.  No abishegams are performed in evening on Pradosham days.  Similarly no abishegams are performed during festival days.

Pre-bookings are made for abishegams. Devotees are expected to be present ½ hour before abishegam. Delay causes discomfort to other devotees.  Temple officials are very helpful in providing neccsary details for performing pooja etc. on request. 

The temple has got a beautiful Nandavanam - "Mullai vanam" in outer prahara.  It has got various flowering plants in different varieties and it is a feast to our eyes when the plants in full bloom. 

In front of the temple main entrance on the eastern side, a beautiful temple tank is there.



Thanga Thottil

In the temple, there is a Thanga Thottil (Golden Cradle) being used for completing the prarthana made by the couple for having blessed them with a baby by the graceful blessings of Shri Garparakshambigai. This is something like a unique way of Thanking Goddess Shri Garbarakshambigai for her benevolence towards the couple by blessing them for having a child.  This is known as Thanga Thottil prarthanai.  The couple will place the baby in the Thanga Thottil and circumventing the Amman Praharam (corridor) with their child. 

Thulabharam:

This is an age old tradition which is followed in many temples. Placing your child in one plate of the weighing scale and balancing the other with goods is called Thulabharam. We accept all kinds of materials like Ghee, oil, food grains, fruits, currency coins, gold, silver etc in Thulabaram.

Navakodi Ghee lamps

All auspicious functions commence with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion. Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness - ignorance. The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle" (Chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshiped as the Lord himself.

The traditional ghee lamp has a further spiritual significance. The ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the sin. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the sin too finally perishes.

Taking into consideration the traditional belief, for the benefit of devotees we ask you to light up eleven lamps, if you are praying for pregnancy (one for Shri. Vinayagar, one for the Lord Mullaivananathar and nine for Almighty Shri. Garbaratchambigai) and five lamps for easy delivery (one for Shri. Vinayagar, one for the Lord Mullaivananathar and three for Almighty Shri. Garbaratchambigai).

Those who cannot come in person to light ghee lamps can use the temple service to do so. Lighting ghee lamps up to the number of their age is a common occurrence here. The details have been given in payments page of this website.



Ear boring and Tonsure prayers

Ear boring of the child and tonosuring head can be done in this temple. Temple officials will make necessary arrangements on request. 

வாழ்க முல்லைவனநாதரின் பெருமை 

வாழ்க கருக்காத்த நாயகியின் அருள்

வாழ்க சீர் அடியாரெல்லாம்.

வணக்கம் 

My Spiritual Travelogue - Part 2

MY SPIRITUAL TRAVELOGUE - PART 2

After visiting Nashik, we all assembled at Gobergaon railway station to catch the train to Phandarpur.  We had a comfortable full night journey and reached Phandarpur next day morning.  Not a tiresome travel at all....!

Pandharpur is an important pilgrimage city on the banks of Bhimā river in Sholapur District of Maharashtra which is alternatively known as Chandrabhaga because of its half-moon like shape.  The city is named after a great merchant Pundalik who achieved self-realisation there.

  

Pandharpur Rly Station

We were transported in pre-arranged vehicles  to the place of our accommodation at 'Shri Gajanan Maharaj Bakta Niwas' of Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan Trust which is about 10 minutes drive from the Phandarpur railway station.  This is situated in a sprawling area inside Shri Gajanan Maharaj Mandir complex. It is a feast to our eyes to see the well laid out gardens, 72 feet high and 51 feet wide intiricately carved marble 'Praveshdwar" Main Gate and the marble idol of Shri Gajanan Maharaj. 

Gardens

Shri Gajanan Maharaj -

When mankind is in distress, surrounded by worries and problems, a saint is required to show them the path of trust and lead them to light.  Saints guide the mankind to become a devotee of God and preach and show them the way to lead a life for which they are born.  One such saint made his appearance in Shegon on 23 February 1878, called Shri Gajanan Maharaj.  Nobody knows his birth details as is evident like most other saints.  He has a tremendous miraculous power which was noticed by several people.  He exhibited his divine spirit,  to name a few - curing a leprosy patient, gave life to a dead dog etc.  He conquered all his senses.  The holy book "Shri Gajanan Vijay" tells tale of his spiritual power.  Today, the Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan Trust lives upto to its   aim of putting into practice its ideology of "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhenah" (May all be Happy), do yeomen services to the mankind.   

After our  checking-in, we proceeded to the Chandrabagha river for taking bath.  We never forget the enchanting view of the holy river and it is a life time opportunity for us to have our dip in the holy river. The morning was quite pleasant and everybody was enjoying their experience.  

A worryless and fully tired yatrigha resting..

A proud owner of his assets..

A special mention to Raju in our diary, who sells Dahi in a pot.  After a refreshing dip in the holy Chandrabhaga river, a tumbler full of  hard to break solid pure white dahi stirred with a pint of salt or sugar at a paltry sum of Rs.Ten takes us to a different world, cannot be narrated in words.

They draw welcome tilak on pilgrim's forehead and earn their daily livelihood.

We proceeded to the temple of Lord Vithoba for darshan.   

Pundalik is a devoted son to his parents Janudev and Satyavati, who lived in a forest called Dandirvan. But after his wedding, Pundalik begins ill-treating his parents. Tired with their son’s misbehavior and ill treatment, the elderly couple decide to leave for Kashi like so many pious Hindus in the bygone era who would relocate to Kashi as their end drew near.

On knowing their plans, Pundalik and his wife decide to join them on pilgrimage. The ill treatment continues. On the way to Kashi,  They decide to stay in a ashram (hermitage) of a pious and venerable sage, Kukkutswami. to spend a few days there. That night, when all were asleep, Pundalik by chance is awake and sees a remarkable vision.   The dream which saw utterly shocked him and his consciousness transforms. He realizes his misdeeds, becomes entirely devoted to his parents and ensures their comfort, even risking his own.

Devotion in any form reaches God swiftly. Impressed by Pundalik's devotion to his parents, Lord Vishnu plans to bless Pundalik immediately. So, He leaves Vaikuntha (His abode) for Pundalik’s ashram.

Vishnu knocks at Pundalik’s door, when he is busy serving his parents food. Pundalik does realize God is at his door. But such was his devotion to his parents, he wants to complete his duties and only then attend the visitor. Then, Pundalik does something strange but out of real devotion. He throws a brick outside for God to stand on and wait for him until he finishes attending to his parents.

Seeing this act, Visnu is extremely impressed and the ever-loving God waits for his devotee. When Pundalik comes out, he begs for pardon but far from being displeased, Visnu is taken over by Pundalik's love for his parents and grants a boon. Pundalik requests Vishnu to stay back on Earth and bless all his true devotees. He agrees to take the form of Vithoba, or God who stood upon a brick, and a temple comes up there. Along with Vithoba, Rakhumai (Mother Rukmini, the consort of Krishna, one of avatars of Visnu) is also worshipped here.

Lord Vithoba and his consort Rukhmai

Lord Shri Vithoba Mandir 

The queue system followed for devotees at the Mandir for darshan of Lord Vithoba is a unique one.  Adjacent to the temple there is a multi-story (heard it is a 8 story building) building where the devotees have to wait in the queue complex till they enter the temple main entrance, nicely routed through all the floors.  The wait  normally takes about 4 - 5 hours on festival days  depending upon the crowd size.  Through one half of the complex the  queue ascends upto the top floor and through the other half  decends to ground floor in a spiral formation and joins with the temple main entrance.     Devotees can sit on side ways while they are in the queue.  

All these things did not bother us when we came out with a Blissful darshan of Lord Vithoba  and Rukhmai.

My memory traces back the lines of someone who said -  

"O Lord, take my love, and let it flow in fullness of devotion to Thee;"

"O Lord, take my hands, and let them work incessantly for Thee;"

"O Lord, take my soul, and let it be merged in One with Thee;"
"O Lord, take my mind and thoughts, and let them be in tune with Thee;
"O Lord, take my everything, and let me be an instrument to work for Thee.."

After our darshan of Lord Vithoba, we moved to Shri Gajanan Maharaj Baktha Niwas. 

As we were having sufficient time to visit nearyby temples viz. Jaggubai Temple etc.  But, we first visited Sant Kaikadi Maharaj Math. It is on the north side of the town. It is a modern innovation depicting the ethoes of the epic Gods and Saints. It may take minimum two hours to see the entire Math.  

Sant Kaikadi Maharaj Math - entrance

A water tank in the shape of a milking cow

We spent a little longer time there which made us to return back to the Baktha Niwas to get ready for the over night journey to Mantralayam.  

Next day morning we reached Mantralayam Road in Karnool District of Andhra Pradesh.

Mantralaya is one of the important pilgrimage centers in South India as it houses the original samadhi Brindavan) of the great saint Sri Raghavendra. Devotees throng Mantralaya to have the darshan of the Brindavan of Sri Raghavendra. The mutt is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra in Karnool Districtof the state of Andhra Pradesh bordering Karnataka.

Sri Raghavendra Swami (1595–1671 CE) was a Hindu saint and philosopher.  The spiritual power and the miracles he performed have led to him being worshipped as a God incarnate even today.  

Sri Raghavendra Teertharu was born as Venkanna Bhatta in Bhuvanagiri Town in Tamil Nadu to Brahmin parents, Sri Thimanna Bhatta and Smt. Gopikamba, in 1595, 1598 or 1601. He was also known as Venkatanatha or Venkatacharya in honor of Sri Venkateswara. After having his initial education under his brother-in-law Lakshminarasimhachar in Madurai, Venkatanatha was admitted to the Sri Mutt in Kumbakonam where he took sanyasa and adopted the name Raghavendra Theertha. In 1614, after he returned from Madurai, Venkanna Bhatta married Smt. Sarasvati Bai. Their son, Sri Lakshminarayanacharya, was born in the same year, after which the family moved to Kumbakonam.

In Sri Mutt, Raghavendra Swami studied under Sudheendra Theertha. He quickly emerged as a talented scholar and consistently won debates over scholars older than him. He was also known as a teacher of Sanskrit and the ancient Vedic texts. In 1621, Raghavendra succeeded his guru Sudheendra Theertha as the head of the Sri Mutt and served from 1624 to 1636. He travelled all over  South India expounding  Madhavacharya's Dvaita philosophy. In 1671, Raghavendra attained Jeeva Samadhi at Mantralayam.

Guru Shri Raghavendra Swami 

Manchalamma is the presiding deity of the Manchale village and one has to offer prayers to Manchalamma first before they enter Sri Raghavendra Swamiji's for darshan. The Manchalamma's shrine is located on the left of the mutt. 

Manchalamma Mandir

 

Guru Sri Raghavendra Temple tomb

Guru Raghavendra Swami Temple main entrance

Inside entrance

Depictions of Guru Raghavendra Swamy's miracles

    

Guru Raghavendra Swami devotees worshiping

A Picture of  Moola Brindavana at Mantralayam decorated with Gold Kavacha

 

Silver Elephant vahana

Golden Chariot at Mantralaya, Wonderful site to see when it rolls around the prahara.

Guru Raghavendra's hand writing - 'Sri Rama'

PANCHAMUKHI ANJENAYA TEMPLE

Sri Guru Raghavendra performed penance at a place called Panchamukhi (Karnataka, Raichur District), near Mantralayam, where He received darshan of Hanuman in the form of Sri Panchamukha Mukhya Prana. He performed tapas (medidation) for twelve years in a cave temple  on top of a hillock in Gandhal village in Raichur District which is about  23 KM from Mantralayam.  Around the hillock there are different shapes of gigantic rocks which are very  rare and an  eye catching view to anybody.   From the top of the hillock, a narrow passage takes you to the sanctum of the temple where Guru Raghavendra  performed his poojas and penance for twelve years.  During the course of his tapas, one day, Sri Anjaneya appeared before Him  with five faces – panchamukha.  The five faces of Sri Anjaneya  represents Hanuman, Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha.  This form of Hanuman has been carved in the cave and poojas are being performed even today. 

Panchamukhi Sri Hanuman Temple

Sri Anjaneya Foot prints

With that, we have come to the fag end of our spiritual trip.  We enjoyed immensely all the arrangements made for our journey, fooding, accommodation and the darshan we had at each and every temple.  We also learnt a lot out of this   sojourn and enjoyed each and every moment within the company of each other.  More so, God was very kind enough to be with us always to make our trip a pleasant, breathtaking and a boisterous one and we sincerely offer our prayers to him.  We thank all our friends who made this successful spiritual tour a reality. 

On the next day morning, we returned to our base with sweet memories.  

வணக்கம்