Thirukarukaavur - For The Pleasure Of Progeny

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Nithiruvar and Vedhigai, a childless couple set out on a pilgrimage worshipping the Lord in many a form. They reached a place called Mullaivanam near Tanjavur in Nagapattinam district on the banks of Vetraaru in South India.

The place was called Mullaivanam as its soil was covered with plants of Jasmine like flowers called 'Mullai' in Tamil. The presiding deities of the temple of Mullaivanam are Lord Shiva worshipped here as Mullaivananathar and Mother Parvati, Garbarakshambigai or Karukaatha Nayagi. Lord Shiva here is also worshipped in the names, Madhavivaneswarar and Garbapureeswarar.

On reaching Mullaivanam, Vedhigai realized that she was impregnated with a child and believed that it was due to the grace of Mullaivananathar. So the joyful couple planned to extend their stay at there. On day as Vedhigai was resting due to the unbearable heat of the summer sun, a sage called Uurthuvapaadhar came by. Vedhigai who was taking a nap failed to notice the sage. It was unfortunate that her husband was not at home at the moment.

The sage was annoyed with Vedhigai on the grounds of failing in her hospitality towards her guest which is considered as the one of the foremost disciplines practised by a householder in India. He cursed that her foetus would be destroyed as it was the cause of her neglecting his service.

Uurthuvapaadhar's words immediately took effect destructing the foetus in Vedhigai's womb. The couple who were devastated, took refuge at the feet of Goddess Parvati in Mullaivanam. The divine mother on her part took pity on them integrating the destructed foetus to a whole and safeguarded it in a pitcher for nine months. At the tenth month she presented a fully formed male child to her devotee, Vedhigai. 'Kamadenu', the celestial cow is believed to have dug a pool of milk with its hoofs for the child called 'Sheera Kundam'.

The couple shed tears of joy and gratitude towards the love of the divine mother. Vedhigai furthur prayed to Mother Parvati that She should bestow Her grace on anyone who seek refuge in Her in want of children. The divine mother thus granted her the boon and hence forth came to be worshipped as Garbarakshambigai or Karukaatha Nayagi( One who safeguards the fetus) and Mullaivanam came to be called 'Thirukarukaavur' as known today.

Read about the way to worship in this shrine on the Next Page