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Moolavar: Mullaivana Nathar, Mullaivaneswarar               

Pathigam: Thirunavukarasar, Sambandar               

Amman / Thayar: Karu Katha Nayaki ,  Garpa Rakshaka Aambica               

Thala Virutcham: Mullai  belonging to Jasmine family               

Theertham: Paal Kulam               

Old year: 1000-2000 years old               

Historical Name: Tirukaruhavur              

This temple is located in a small village,7 Kms from Papanasam railway station. This sthalam is 20 Kms in the south west direction from Kumbakonam and 20 Kms in the north east direction from Thanjavur.

The five temples which collectively make the Pancha Aranya Sthalams are Thirukkarugavur, Alangudi, Avalivanallur, Haridwaramangalam and Thirukollambudhoor. Thirukkarukavur is the first among this group of temples. The first temple to be visited is Thirukkarugavur, which is 22 Kms from Kumbakonam, and 7 Kms from Papanasam. Traditionally, this temple is to be visited early in the morning, between 5:30 and 6AM.

The temple is 460 feet long and 284 feet wide. There is a main rajagopuram on the east and the temple has also got an entrance on the south side. Both the shrines of Lord Mullaivana Nathar and Goddess Garbha Ratchaambikai are situated in the main outer prakaram facing the east direction. The sivalingam in the main sanctum of this temple is a Swayambu Lingam, one out of the 64 in the world. This Lingam is made up of ant hill mud. Hence there is no water abhishekam for this Lord. Instead, the Lingam is merely pasted with a kind of must called punuhu in tamil. People who are afflicted with incurable diseases come to this temple, offer Punuhu Chattam to the Lord and get themselves relieved of their diseases. It is believed that the Nandi and Karpaga Vinayagar inside the temple are also Swaymbu. In the Sivalingam one can see even today the impression of jasmine creepers which once covbered the Sivalingam. The shrine for presiding female deity Garbha Ratchaambikai is situated to the left of the Siva temple. There is also a shrine for Lord Subramanya. Inscriptions from Raja Raja Cholas period as well as those from Parantaka Cholas period (early 10th century) are seen inside the temple.

The special feature of this temple is that the moons rays falls on the Sivalingam on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Panguni (March/April) every year.

Vedhikai, wife of Niruthuva Munivar and resident of this sthalam, was in the advanced stage of pregnancy. Her husband had gone to a distant place on some work. As it was summer time, she was very tired and was taking rest in her house. Another sage by name Oorthuva Paathar, who was passing by her house, was also very tired due the hot sun and hoped to get food and water from the inmates of this house. In spite of calling for help, no one came from inside the house and when the sage looked inside, he saw Vedhikai in a sleeping position showing her back to the sage. Not realising that Vedhikai was pregnant, he cursed her and went away. But by the time Vedhikai realised that someone has visited her house, sage Oorthuva Munivar had already left the place. Afrai of sages curse, Vedhikai prayed to Mullaivana Nathar and His consort for safe delivery of her child. Lord Shivas consort Uma Maheswari took necessary precautions and saw to it that Vedhikai gave birth to the child normally without any trouble. Vedhikais husband Niruthuva Munivar came to know about these details from his wife on his return. He prayed to the goddess Uma Maheswari that She should protect the foetus of any pregnat woman who visits this sthalam and offers worship to Her. Goddess Uma Maheswari gave this boon to Niruthuva Munivar and She is known from that day as Garbha Ratchaambikai.

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. 

Devotees do cleaning of the steps with ghee for auspicious conclusion of marriage proposals. Women do it before the shrine of Ambica and draw Ranglori with archanas for wedding and child boon. Realizing their wish, they tie cradles and offer Tulabaram. Women not having a child even after years of marriage are offered a ghee dedicated to Ambica with Mantras and placed at the feet of Mother Karukatha Nayaki. They have to consume it for 48 nights continuously. Though the husband fails in the procedure, the wife should scrupulously follow this condition. There is no diet condition while taking this ghee by women. The woman will conceive shortly. The temple offers a puja castor oil for the pregnant women placed at the feet of Mother which they have to apply on the stomach during the labour pain time for safe delivery of the child. This oil is applied on pregnant women even when they feel pain naturally at some times during the period.

Those suffering from skin diseases pray to Lord Mullaivana Nathar offering Punugu Chattam a cosmetic paste.  This practice is followed even now as experience proves the effect. Others pray for mental peace, job opportunities, progress in trade and promotions in positions.

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, sugarcandy, money etc. equal to their weight, a commitment called Tulabaram. Devotees perform abishek with rice flour, turmeric, cosmetic powders, milk, curd, green coconut, pachamirtham, 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.

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Sri Mullaivana Nathar Temple, Tirukaruhavur ? 614 302, Thanjavur district.Contact Number - +9197891 60819

Do:

• Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
• Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
• Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
• Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
• Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
• Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
• Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
• Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
• Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

• Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
• Do not smoke at Temple.
• Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
• Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
• Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
• Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
• Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
• Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
• Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
• Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
• Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
• Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.