Garbharakshambigai Temple, Thirukarukavoor – Prayers
Every couples dream is to become a parent. It is the
next step in family life and at sometimes it may seem impossible for few. Trust
in this Goddess. She makes it possible. She embraces all, with her compassion
and fulfills a women wish to conceive and also helps carrying her baby to full
term without any hurdles along the way.
History says that Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman blessed
her ardent devotee Vedhikai to conceive and when Vedhikai almost lost her
fetus, Goddess Garbarakshambigai came to her rescue, protected her fetus and
blessed her for safe delivery. Numerous devotees who long for a child have been
blessed by this divine mother. The uniform experiences of the people who have
been blessed by this divine deity are testimony of her benevolence. People from
various countries and religions, who have difficulty in conceiving and
delivery, pray to this divine Goddess for her benevolence.
It is believed that childless people who worship here
with devotion and faith are blessed with pregnancy and pregnant women with safe
deliveries. Unmarried women also pray here for their marriages. Special prayers
are conducted by people on behalf of their pregnant relatives or friends.
The uniform experience of the people of these parts
bears unfailing testimony to the said characteristic attributed to the Deity.
The inhabitants of the village vouch the fact, that within living memory, there
has been no case of fatality to the mother or child during confinement. Pregnant
women from elsewhere come here and pray to the God and Goddess for a safe child
birth. No one in this place has ever had a miscarriage or pregnancy problem. It
is at a place like this that one can understand what “Divine Presence” is.
Majority of the devotees praying to Mother Karukatha
Nayaki are women longing for a child after years of marriage. Many pray for
safe delivery. Those facing menstrual and uterus problems and whose
marriage is delayed pray to Mother for cure and happy results.
Sri Mullaivananathar Swamy is worshiped for better
health. The Swamy here is swayambu i.e, self manifested. Even today we can see
the impression of Mullai creeper over him. He is made up of hardened mud and
there is no Abhishegam (Holy bath) for this God. Instead Punugu sattam is being
offered on the Valarpirai Pradosham day, the 13th day after new moon (Sukla
patcham Pradosham). This Punugu is believed to have healing power and it is
being sent as Prasadam for the peoples, who suffer due to incurable skin
diseases, cardiac diseases and surgery.
The main prayer commitment followed is the offering of
Punugu Chattam to Lord Mullaivana Nathar on each Pradosha days of the full moon
fortnight. Devotees offer rice, fruits, jaggery, sugar candy, money etc. equal
to their weight, a commitment called Tulaabaaram. Devotees perform abishek with
rice flour, turmeric, cosmetic powders, milk, curd, green coconut,
panchamirtham, sandal and honey and archanas to Lord and Mother and offer
vastras.
On Sundays of Karthikai month (November-December)
abishek to Lord is performed with 1008 conches. As the presiding deity is in
the form of anthill, it is covered with a bowl – Kuvalai in Tamil – for the
abishek. Devotees offer nivedhanas to Lord and mother and distribute the same
to other visiting devotees. They also contribute to the temple renovation fund.
