Garbarakshambigai Temple: Time, Booking, And History

The Garbarakshambigai Temple located in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu is an ancient temple. For the women who seek easy and safe delivery Goddess Garbarakshambigai blesses them and cures their infertility as she is a form of Shakti. The term named Garbarakshambigai stands for ‘Garbha’ means pregnancy and Raksha means ‘to protect’ whereas Ambigai means ‘name of Goddess Parvati’. 

The Garbarakshambigai temple is particularly dedicated to Lord Shiva (Sri Mullaivananathar)  and Goddess Garbarakshambogai Amman. The main three famous glories of this temple are Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandhar in soul-stirring verses.

The unique quality that sets this temple apart from other shrines is that Goddess Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman here treats infertility-related issues in women, blesses them with the ability to conceive, and also aids in safe and straightforward birth. People pray to Sri Mullaivananathar Swamy for Better Health and well-being.

In this article, we will discuss timing, booking details, and the history of the Garbarakshambigai temple. What dress should you wear during your visit to the temple? What festivals are celebrated in the temple and how important is it? 

History Of Garbarakshambigai Temple

The history of Garbarakshambigai temple states that once Sages Gowthama and Gargeya performed penance in a garden of mullai flowers. Sage Nithuvar and his wife Vedika were living. One day, Sage Nithuwar went away home, and after that Sage Urdhvapada visited their garden.

Due to pregnancy pain, Vedhika could not wake and welcome the sage. Unaware of Vedika’s problems Sage Urdhvapada cursed her to a lot of pain and would lose her child as well. She appealed to Goddess Parvathi for assistance. Goddess Parvati appeared before Vedhika in the form of Garbarakshambigai. 

By placing the unborn kid in a “Kalasam,” or heavenly pot, she protected it.  When Vedhika sobbed because she couldn’t give the infant her milk, a holy cow appeared in front of the temple and created a lake of holy milk.

Vedhika worshipped Goddess Garbarakshambigai to ensure she stays in the temple always and helps all women with their problems. The temple surrounds a lovely water tank and stretches out across a large area with enormous, towering Gopurams. Goddess Garbarakshambigai is located to the left of the Shiva lingam in the main sanctuary of this temple.

This is believed to say that Nandi is self-manifested here in Swayambhu Vigraham. 

Significance Of Garbarakshambigai Temple

This temple’s significance lies in its main sanctum, which houses a Swayambhu Shiva linga constructed of ant hill mud. Therefore, there is no need to perform water abhishekam for this linga. People afflicted with incurable diseases must offer “Punugu Chatham” specifically to the idol placed in the temple, which is reserved only for the linga.

However, Goddess Garbarakshambigai blesses Pregnant women with the gift of childbirth and easy delivery. Although, the goddess is divine power and supreme personality of motherhood. Wearing beautiful Kanjeevaram sarees and exquisite jewellery, Goddess Idol is about 7 feet tall. 

About the Deity Of Garbarakshambigai Temple

The deity of Garbarakshambigai temple is Goddess Garbarakshambigai Amman who is known as the foremost fertility goddess in India. The goddess is worshipped by women who suffer through child conception and motherhood issues. The Goddess is widely revered particularly in South India. 

For the couples who did not get the happiness of having a child, the divine powers of Garbarakshambigai Amman bless them, safeguard pregnancies and assure safe and painless deliveries. 

This strong goddess is revered for blessing all facets of motherhood, making her a crucial divinity for women who are attempting to get pregnant and for those who are already carrying children and need help and protection.

It is said that ladies who are pregnant are blessed with safe delivery, and childless persons who worship here are rewarded with a pregnancy. Here, single ladies also offer marriage-related prayers. People offer special prayers on behalf of their pregnant friends or family members.

Garbarakshambigai Amman is by nature compassionate and possessed of the divine. Described as unmatched, her brilliance and grace represent her goodness and purity. To call upon the goddess’ divine presence, ask for her protection, and receive her benefits, devotees chant mantras and recite slokas.

Sincere devotion, unshakeable faith, and consistent worship of Goddess Garbarakshambigai are thought to have favourable effects and bring about the desired outcomes. According to legend, the goddess’ generosity and compassion expanded beyond the realm of physical fertility to include her followers’ general happiness and prosperity.

Garbarakshambigai Temple Timings

Normal Days
Morning	5.00 am to 12.30 pm
Evening	4.00 pm to 8.30 pm
Month Of Margazhi (Dec 16 to Jan 13)
Morning	4.30 am to 12.10 pm
Evening	4.00 pm to 7.30 pm

 

Pooja Timings
Morning	5.30 am to 1.00 pm
Evening	4.00 pm to 8.00 pm

Garbarakshambigai Temple Pooja Details

Pooja	Prasadam To Within India	Prasadam To Overseas
Blessed Ghee for pregnancy	Rs 200/-	Rs 500/-
Blessed castor Oil for safe & easy delivery	Rs 200/-	Rs 500/-
Punugu Sattam For Health	Rs 100/-	Rs 300/-
Abhishekam	Rs 700/-	Rs 700/-
Kattalai Archana For 12 Months (1 year)	Rs 300/-	Rs 600/-
Niranthara Kattlai Archana (LifeTime)	Rs 3000/-	Rs 6000/-
Navakoti Nei Theepam (9 Core Ghee Lamps Lighting)	Rs 75/-	Rs 300/-
Sandana Kappu (Sandalwood Paste Offering)	Rs 10,000/-	Rs 10,000/-
Thanga Thottil	Rs 550/-	Rs 550/-
Annadhanam (For 50 Persons)	Rs 1500/-	Rs 1500/-
Annadhanam (For 100 Persons)	Rs 3000/-	Rs 3000/-
Thulabharam	–	–
Earboring	–	–
Tonsuring

Rituals Performed In Garbarakshambigai Temple

The Garbarakshambigai temple’s poojas and ceremonies include:

Women who visit this location to pray for conception and childbirth simply present flowers and perform Archana for the goddess. Virgins who have been searching for potential spouses for a while should physically visit this Garbarakshambigai shrine. 

They should do Archana to the Goddess and clean the stairs with a little ghee and “Kolam.”

At the Goddess Garbarakshambigai’s feet, the childless couples present ghee. The woman will become pregnant after 48 days of daily prasad consumption of a small amount of ghee. 

Castor oil should be presented to Sri Garbarakshambigai’s feet by pregnant women. One should rub this oil over their abdomen and devotees during labour pains. Castor oil should be presented to Sri Garbarakshambigai’s feet by pregnant women. One should rub this oil on their belly during labour pangs, and believers think that it eliminates any delivery difficulties.

On a specific date determined by the stars, Kattalai Archanai is held, and the temple provides Prasadams every month. It is consumed by expectant mothers during the pregnancy. 

Eleven lamps are lit by women as they pray for a healthy delivery. 

When the Garbarakshambigai Homa is performed, childless couples become parents and expectant mothers have healthy deliveries.

Procedure to perform puja at Garbarakshambigai temple

The timing for puja in the temple starts from 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

Just outside the temple, all the necessary puja goods are accessible. There are facilities for Thulabharam, Abishegam, Ear Piercing, hair offerings, and placement of children under the age of five in the Golden Cradle.

Any type of puja can be easily and simply prepared. You won’t require any help. You are welcome to perform pujas as a travelling couple or individual at any time while the temple is open. Depending on the attendance, the puja may last anywhere from 15 Minutes to 2 Hours. 

It’s best to avoid going on Sundays if you only have a limited amount of time because Sundays are generally busier. Performing puja in this temple is considered auspicious on any day; there are no specific defined offering days.

But other worshippers think that performing pujas in the month of Margazhi enhances the likelihood of pregnancy. Abhishekam is performed from Monday through Saturday during the mornings. On Sundays, other festival days, or at night, there are no Abhishekams.

Please bring your saree if you intend to donate one. It is advised to get in touch with the temple in advance to confirm availability for Thulabharam.

Dress Code Of Garbarakshambigai Temple

While going to visit the Garbarakshambigai temple the devotee needs to wear traditional dress like men wearing shirts and trousers. Where women wear either a saree or a suit. Women occasionally don jeans and other Western clothing during trips, and the temple administration does not appear to mind. However, it’s always wiser to be safe than sorry and wear traditional Indian Clothing.

Devotees can order the ghee or oil prasadam online if they are unable to travel. Devotees can order online ghee or oil prasadam in case they are not able to visit the temple.

Festivals Celebrated In Garbarakshambigai Temple

In the premise of Garbarakshambigai temple, some festivals are celebrated with joy and happiness by the devotees:

Margazhi utsavam

The Margazhi festival is observed throughout Tamil Nadu and India’s temples. This festival is primarily observed in all of the Shiva and Vishnu temples. The fact that devotees study the Tamil holy books “Thiruppavai” and “Thiruvempavai” throughout this month adds to the significance of Margazhi.

Navratri

Ten days in the month of Purattasi, people devote to celebrating Navaratri. Devotees worship the holy power during Navratri at the beginning of the summer and the beginning of the winter every year. The Shardiya Navratri is the most significant Navratri of the year.

Thirukkarthigai

Karthigai Deepam is a traditional event in Tamil Nadu. During this festival of lights, people practically light up everywhere to dispel the gloom. On Karthigai Deepam, people think that the light will bring them closer to Lord Shiva. During this particular season of the year, Lord Shiva will bestow all of his blessings.

Vaikasi Brahmotsavams

At this temple, Vaikasi Brahmotsavam got underway in a big way. The priests carry out the ceremonies at the temple amidst Vedic chants and readings of scripture verses. Processions take place, and many individuals take part in them.

Panguni Uthiram

A significant day for Hindus, particularly those from Tamil Nadu, is Panguni Uthiram. It occurs on the day that the moon transits through the Uttara-Phalguni asterism. The day symbolizes the nuptials of the celestial couples Lord Muruga and Devasena, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and others. Following the Ramayana, Sita wed Rama on this day as well. 

How To Reach Garbarakshambigai Temple

By Air:

The distance between Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) Airport and the Garbarakshambigai Temple is roughly 85 km. To get to the temple from Tiruchirapalli, one can use a taxi.

If you plan to visit the temple the day after you arrive in Tiruchirapalli and then travel there the next morning, we advise you to spend the night in Thanjavur or Kumbakonam. Both Thanjavur and Kumbakonam provide top-notch lodging choices. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the temple, which is roughly 20 km from both Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.

There are several ways to go to the temple, including buses and cars, from Thanjavur and Kumbakonam in the Papanasam District’s Thirukarukavur hamlet.

By Train:

Papanasam, which is located approximately 6.5 kilometres from the Garbarakshambigai Temple, is the closest railway station. You could also use Thanjavur and Kumbakonam railway stations as destination stations. 

From both locations Thanjavur and Kumbakonam the temple is just 20 Km away and you can reach it in 30 minutes.

Many modes of transportation, including buses and cars, are accessible from Thanjavur and Kumbakonam to Thirukarukavur hamlet in the Papanasam District, much as the alternatives for flying.

By Road:

If you are travelling to the temple by bus or car, here is the route to go to the temple by bus:

• For the bus, the route numbers are 16,24,34, and 44 from Thanjavur to Thirukarukavur.
• Other route numbers are 11 and 29 from Kumbakonam to Thirukarukavur.

If you are traveling by car, for the temple route you can take the help of Google Maps route. Following the coordinates: 10.86N, 79.27E Thirukarukavur is located there. Also available from the Papanasam Bus Stop are auto-rickshaws and share autos, with auto tickets ranging from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 and sharing auto fares ranging from Rs. 5 to Rs. 80.

Frequently Asked Question

Q.Where is Garbarakshambigai temple located?

A.The Garbarakshambigai temple is papanasam taluk of Thanjavur district in Tamil nadu. This temple is 20 km away from the popular town of Kumbakonam on the Thanjavur-Kumbakonam route. And the village is called Thirukkarugavur of this field.

Q.Who is the main deity of this temple?

A.The deity of Garbarakshambigai temple is Goddess Garbarakshambigai Amman, and people know her as the foremost fertility goddess in India. Women who suffer through child conception and motherhood issues worship the goddess. The people widely revere the Goddess, especially in South India.

Q.Why do devotees visit Garbarakshambigai temple?

A.The unique quality that sets this temple apart from other shrines is that Goddess Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman here treats infertility-related issues in women, blesses them with the ability to conceive, and also aids in safe and straightforward birth.

Q.Which idol is situated in the temple?

A.The Garbarakshambigai temple is particularly dedicated to Lord Shiva (Sri Mullaivananathar)  and Goddess Garbarakshambogai Amman. The main three famous glories of this temple are Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandhar in soul-stirring verses.

Q.What is the other name of the Garbarakshambigai temple called?

A.Mullaivananathar is the name of Lord Shiva, and Karukathanayaki is the name of His consort, Garbarakshambigai. The name Mullaivananathar comes from the fact that this location used to be a jasmine woodland. The goddess in this location is known as Karukathanayaki or Garbarakshambigai because she guards the fetus during pregnancy.