The Goddess who protects a womb

One of the most famous temples in South India to whom women in large numbers go is that of  Garbarakshambigal  at Thirukarugavur near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.

The temple is dedicated to Shiva and Goddess Garbarakshambigal. It is also called  Arulmigu Mullai Vana Temple as it was originally  consecrated in a park of flowers. The name of the Goddess means the mother who protects the womb.

As the name itself suggests, the temple is believed to protect the womb of a woman and help her beget a child. Women who want a child and those who are pregnant come here in large numbers.

The Shiva idol here is very unique as it is made of mud from anthill.

A couple have to participate in a particular ritual here for begetting a child. The Goddess is believed to bless women for a safe pregnancy.    

Once you completed the prescribed rituals, the priest will give castor oil which has to be applied by the woman who wants a child. Ghee is also given which has to be taken for a prescribed period.

I vaguely remember that you have to apply the oil or paste in your house only and you cannot take it outside your house. What I mean is that you cannot stay overnight in any place other than your house till the completion of the ritual.

The locals told me the story of the place. Here it goes.

A couple, Nithuvar and his wife Vedike were living in this garden of Mullai flowers here. One day, Nithuvar was away and Vedike asleep when another saint, Urdhvapada visited their home.

Urdhvapada found that he was not being welcomed appropriately in the house. Vedike did not get up as he was pregnant. The saint felt insulted and cursed her.

The curse had a telling effect on Vedike. She began suffering and the child in her womb also began feeling intense pain and suffering.

Unable to bear the pain and wanting to protect her child which was still in her womb, Vedike prayed to an idol of Parvathi which was near her house.

Goddess Parvathi reincarnated as Garbarakshambigai and came to the help of Vedike. She ensured that the child in the womb remained unharmed. She held a Kalasa near the stomach of Vedike to ensure that the child remained healthy and fit.

Vedike then delivered a healthy child. However, the woes of Vedike had not yet ended. She found to her dismay and disappointment that she could not feed milk to the baby. Goddess Parvathi then saw to it that a cow came near the house of Vedike and gave so much milk   that in course of time the liquid came to be called as lake of milk.

The mantra of Garbarakshambigai is supposed to be very powerful. It is said that if a woman repeats it with devotion, good will come out if it. Here is a portion of the mantra.

Om Garbarakshambaigaie cha vidhmahe

Mangala devadhayai cha deemahi

Dhano devi prachodayath

The temple opens at 5-30 a.m., and closes at 12-30 p.m. It again opens at 4-30 p.m., and closes at 8-30 p.m. You can get details of poojes by sending an SMS to 88700 58269.  As per the temple, it can be contacted on 04374-273423,  Cell No:88700 58269

Or  email ID

eomullaivananathartkr@gmail.com

Putra Kameshteeswar Temple

This is one of the most famous temples of its kind in Tamil Nadu. The temple us situated in a small town called Arani which is in Tiruvanamalai district. It is about 38 kms from Vellore and 56 kms from Tiruvanamalai  Kamandala Naga river.

The temple is very near the bus stand.

Ramayana says that it is at this very place that King Dasarata performed Putra Kamesti Yagna for obtaining children. That is how Rama came to be born.

The temple priests will let you know what rituals you have to perform.

Arani has a large number of  ancient temples and a fort. 

Murugan Temples

Tamil Nadu has scores of  temples dedicated to Murugan. This god is considered to be a bestower of children.

The Murugan Temple in Chennimalai is well-known. Chennimalai is 24 kms from Erode and is therefore easily accessible.

The Murugan temple is on a hill. Those wanting a child have to come here after New Moon and observe Shasti Vrata.

The temple of Sri Periyandavar in Thirunilai seven kms away from Thirukalukundram is another favourite temple for couples wanting a child.

The temple is adjacent to a beautiful lake.

It is here that Shiva, when he was born as a human being, took shelter. There is also an idol dedicated to Angala Parameswari.

The Nandi here is in a standing posture. The deities are supposed to have special powers to bless childless couples.

Locals say that couples have to perform a very simple ritual here. The couples have to take a bathe in the temple pond and perform pooja and abhisheka with their own hands for six weeks.

Kari Krishna Koil

This temple is 35 kms from Chennai. It is called Kari Krishna Perumal koil. It is located in Thiru Aayarpadi, Ponneri.

The temple was constructed by Karikal Chola. The Krishna idol is slanted towards one side.

There is a pond called Santana Puskarni behind the Garba Gudi or sanctum Sanctorum. This is a pond of sacred water and it is believed to have miraculous powers of helping women conceive.

Women visit the temple during Rohini Nakshatra  with two plantains, half a litre of  milk, 100 grams butter and gingely oil. They have to take bath in the pond and perform Archana.

Kanchi

The  Ekambareshwara Temple here is famed for its architecture and the 5,000 year old mango tree. Devotees are expected to eat the mango here if they want a child.

 
Another temple is of  Rajagopalaswamy at Mannargudi.

The temple is among the oldest in Tamil Nadu and the name of the presiding deity is Paravasudevan.

Pray at the Santhana Gopala Krishna idol for a child. The temple is roughly 30 kms from Thanjavur.

Sri Margapandeswarar Temple

This temple is located at Vishnupuram near Vellore and it is off the Chennai-Bangalore road. Take a dip in the three Pushkarnis to get a child.

Vaikuntapathi Perumal Temple

This is dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Vaikuntapati. It is situated on Tiruchendur road in Srivaikuntam which is  37 km from Thirunelveli.

Couples wanting a child must consume ghee offered to the diety for 48 days.

The temple where Parvathi appears in dreams

One of the most enchanting spots in Kolar district, Avani has a hoary past. It has several temples of antiquity and all of them have their own tales to relate. However, the temple I am talking about is the Seetha Parvathi Temple atop a hillock in Avani.

Avani is just 10 kms from Mulabagilu and 16 kms from Kolar Gold Fields. It is located in Kolar district and it is easily approachable from Bangalore.

I have visited Avani several times and the Seetha Parvathi Temple has never ceased to amaze. I have also guided several off my friends towards this temple. Almost all of my friends who went there have spoken about the beauty of Avani and the history associated with it.

Several women who have gone there said they had experienced some divinity at the temple of Seetha-Parvathi. Some of my friends who did not have a child for many years, were blessed with children after they prayed at this temple.

I am penning down the legend of the temple as it was narrated to me by the priest and also several locals of Avani. I hope it can help somebody. So here goes the story.

The temple of Seetha Parvathi goes back to the times of the Ramayana.

Seetha comes here when she is pregnant  Rama had asked Seetha to be taken away from Ayodhya after a washerman comments on the chastity of Seetha. The washerman is overheard telling his wife that he is not Rama to forgive his wife for staying with a man.

Rama is anguished by the remark and asks Lakshmana to take away Seetha from the kingdom. In course of her travels, Seetha comes to Avani where Valmiki has his ashrama.

Valmiki asks Seetha to stay back and she agrees. Seetha makes one of the case here her home. (This cave can still be seen today). Seetha worships Parvathi daily. She prays for the well-being of her unborn children and even Rama.

The temple of Seetha Parvathi is atop the hillock. Locals and several of my friends have vouched for the fact that Goddess Parvathi can be felt here.  The priest and the locals say that the cave in Valmiki ashrama, which also has the temple nearby, has medicinal properties.

Well, coming back to the story. Couples who want a child should come here and bathe at the small pond on the top of the hillock called Dahushkodi. Legend has it that Lakshmana shot an arrow here and water sprung up.

Women are expected to bathe here without changing clothes. She should then carry a coconut which will be given by the priest to the temple. Before reaching the temple, they have to go through some caves.

When the woman reaches the garba gudi, she starts feeling sleepy and she falls asleep near the shrine. My friends tell me that their wives dreamt of Parvathi when they fell asleep here. All the women told their husbands that they saw a woman with ornaments and articles which a pregnant woman has or a woman who has delivered has.

Months after  such dreams, the women delivered. This story told here is one of faith and devotion. There is nothing more than getting the blessing of God. The fruits of devotion will always come, however late.

Please find time to visit the time and also talk to the priest of the Seetha Parvathi Temple and the  locals of Avani. Then decide if you want to go through the experience or not.