Procedure to be followed while visiting the temple:
The temple functions from 5:30am – 12:30pm and then again from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.
Arranging for any kind of puja is simple and straightforward. You will not need any assistance. The visiting couple or person can offer pujas at any time when the temple is open. It can take anywhere between 15 minutes – 2 hours to offer pujas depending on the crowd. The temple is usually more crowded on Sundays and devotees who do not have much time should avoid visiting on Sundays. However everyday in this temple is considered auspicious for puja; there are no special days for offering pujas. Offering pujas in the month of Margazhi is considered to be luckier for people who want to conceive.
All necessary puja items are available just outside the temple. Facilities are available to offer Abishegam, placing children up to 5 years of age in the Golden Cradle, ear piercing, offering of hair and Thulabaram.
Abishegam is performed from Monday – Saturdays only in the mornings. There are no Abishegams in the evenings, on Sundays and other festival days. If you are planning to offer a saree then you should carry the saree with you. If you plan to offer Thulabaram it is better to contact the temple beforehand to check availability.
Dress Code: Men and women devotees are encouraged to wear traditional attire. However men is shirts and trousers are permitted to enter the temple. Women devotees can wear either sarees or salwar kameez at the temple. During my visits I have also noticed a few women devotees wearing jeans and other western attire. The temple management does not seem to have a problem with this. However this can change with a change in the management. To be on the safer side it is best to go in an Indian attire.
If devotees cannot travel they can get the prasadam by ordering online.
Here is the complete list of pujas available at the Garbarakshambigai Temple; the method of doing the pujas and using the different prasadams
Puja for Ghee Prasadam and Instructions to Take Ghee Prasadam
The ghee prasadam has to be taken by couple who are trying to conceive.
When you visit the temple for ghee prasadam the procedure to obtain it is simple and straightforward. You will first have to procure the puja items and the ghee prasadam.
The puja items are available just outside the temple and the ghee prasadam is available inside the temple in the counter near the administrative office. Once this is done you can go directly and have darshan of Lord Mulaivananathar. After offering pujas at the Shiva Sannidhi you can then move on to the Amman sannidhi.
Once you have finished the archanai, the priest will instruct you to smear some ghee on the steps of the sannidhi. The ghee prasadam that was obtained by the couple will be placed at the feet of Amman and returned to the couple.
The couples can then go outside and buy ghee lamps at the counter and light 11 lamps as an offering to Ambal.
If the couple feels like the can offer other additional offerings at the temple like Annadanam, Thulabaram, Tonsuring of hair etc.
Once the couple returns home they will have to buy ½ kg ghee from the store and mix it with the ghee prasadam that was obtained at the temple.
This ghee prasadam has to be taken for 48 days. The couple should have one teaspoon full of ghee before going to bed. The wife should avoid taking the prasadam when she has her menstrual cycle. The husband should however take it for 48 days continuously.
This prasadam has to be taken before the couple goes to bed together. The prasadam should be taken just before the husband and wife sleep together.
The ghee cannot be mixed with other food and should be taken separately. However some people cannot tolerate ghee as it makes them nauseous. If it not possible to overcome the feeling of nausea then please mix the ghee with some simple vegetarian food like plain rice or roti and have it with your dinner.
There are no food restrictions while taking the prasadam. The couple can continue taking non vegetarian food
As far as possible do not travel while taking the prasadam. Also try not to forget taking the prasadam in between. However if it is essential to travel or if you do forget to take the prasadam on some days then continue taking it thereafter till you complete 48 days.
Many people who have had faith in the Goddess have been blessed with a baby. If you conceive during this 48 days STOP taking the ghee prasadam. Use the remaining ghee to light oil lamps in puja room.
If there is any ghee remaining over even after 48 days use this ghee to light oil lamps.
This ghee will not go bad for more than 6 months and can be stored in either a refrigerator or at normal room temperature.
If a couple cannot visit the temple personally it is ok to get the prasadam through other people.
In the period of these 48 days it is good if the couple can recite the mantras listed here. If time permits the mantras can be chanted 108 times after morning or evening puja. If there is insufficient time then please chant as many times as is possible for you.
Audio slokas for download are available here.
Please note that there are no other rules for chanting mantra. Please chant as you would chant any other mantra/sloka in the presence of Amman’s photo or keeping Amman’s thoughts in your mind.
You can read testimonials of people who have taken ghee prasadam here
You can order the ghee prasadam online here.
Puja for Oil Prasadam and Instructions for Using Oil Prasadam
The oil prasadam has to be used by pregnant women who want safe pregnancy and easy delivery.
When you visit the temple for oil prasadam the procedure to obtain it is simple and straightforward. You will first have to procure the puja items and the oil prasadam. The prasadam is a small bottle of castor oil.
The puja items are available just outside the temple and the oil prasadam is available inside the temple in the counter near the administrative office. Once this is done you can go directly and have darshan of Lord Mulaivananathar. After offering pujas at the Shiva Sannidhi you can then move on to the Amman sannidhi.
During archanai the priest will place your oil bottle at the feet of Amman and return it to you. The couples can then go outside and buy ghee lamps at the counter and light 5 lamps as an offering to Ambal.
If the couple feels like the can offer other additional offerings at the temple like Annadanam, Thulabaram, Tonsuring of hair etc.
The prasadam is usually obtained in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. If the woman cannot travel during that time then she can obtain the prasadam through other people.
The castor oil has to be applied on the abdomen when labour pains start. However these days most people obtain the prasadam as early as the third month of pregnancy while some women start in the 7th month. Women should apply a little quantity over the uterus every day. This can be applied after bath.
There are no food restrictions while taking the prasadam. The woman can continue taking non vegetarian food.
During the period of the pregnancy it is good if the women can recite the mantras listed here. If time permits the mantras can be chanted 108 times after morning or evening puja. If there is insufficient time then please chant as many times as is possible for you.
Audio slokas for download are available here. These audio slokas and songs are very powerful with excellent vibrations for your unborn child.
Please note that there are no other rules for chanting mantra. Please chant as you would chant any other mantra/sloka in the presence of Amman’s photo or keeping Amman’s thoughts in your mind.
You can read testimonials of people who have taken oil prasadam here
You can order the oil prasadam online here.
Punugu sattam for skin diseases, cardiac diseases and other health conditions.
Lord Mulaivananathar is renowned for his powers to heal people. At this temple he is worshipped as the Lord of health. As this is a swayambu lingam made of mud it is not possible to offer abishegam here and hence the priests do the abishegam with punugu sattam. This punugu satta is offered to devotees as prasadam for health conditions; particularly skin diseases, cardiac problems and other surgical conditions.
It has to be noted that the punugu satam is not always offered to Lord Mullaivananathar. It is offered on the 11th day after the new moon. This day is also called the Valarpirai Pradosham.
Once devoted obtain the punugu sattam they can apply small quantities on the affected parts of their bodies after taking a bath and offering puja at home.
Devotees can also listen to songs of Lord Mulaivanathanar. These songs are available for download here.
Other pujas available at the temple
Abishegam
Abishegams are offered in the morning hours at the temple everyday of the week except Sundays and other festival days.
The abishegams are offered at 8:00 am. There are no evening abishegams. If you are interested in offering an abishegam you will have to be present in the temple half an hour prior to the abishegam time.
Additional offering that devotees can make at the temple.
Sandana Kaapu (Offering of sandalwood paste to Garbarakshambigai Amman):
Adorning the Goddess with sandalwood enhances Her beauty and leaves the visiting devotees spellbound. If you would like to witness this spectacle then you should visit the temple on Friday evenings when Amman is covered with sandalwood paste and Her supreme beauty is further enhanced.
If you would like to offer this service you can do so paying the charges of Rs.5000 at the temple.
The cost is Rs.5000 for both Indian and overseas devotees and you are requested to contact temple office for the date of booking.
Annadhanam:
Annadanam is one of the highest offerings according to Hindu philosophy. It is one of the best ways of expressing your gratitude to the divine.
The temple is situated in a small village where there are no big restaurants. The temple offers Annadanam to 100 devotees on a daily basis.
If you are visiting temple then do part-take of the meal as it is a superior form of prasadam.
Thanga Thottil:
Thousands of devotees who visit the temple are blessed by Amman. When their prayers are answered and they like to express their gratitude.
Most couples visit the temple after the birth of their child; as a way of expressing their gratitude and also obtaining blessings for the child they can place the child in a Tanga Thottil and go around the Garbarakshambigai Amman Praharam.
Children up to 5 years of age can be placed in the Thanga Thottil. The charges for placing the child in the thottil is Rs.550/- and this can be paid at the office. This service can be availed in the morning and during the evenings.
The Thanga Thottil is not really made of gold but it does have a silver covering. Devotees are encouraged to express their gratitude by returning with the child and placing the child in the Thanga Thottil.
Thulabharam:
As is the custom in other major South Indian temple devotees, in Garbarakshambigai Temple too devotees can offer Thulabaram. The devotees will have to sit on one side of the weighing scale and their offerings (ghee, oil, food, grains, currency, gold, silver etc.) can be placed on the other side equaling their body weight.
These offering will then be used by the temple administration. Surplus materials donated in Thulabaaram are being sold to devotees during Sundays at subsidized rates under auction.
Hair Tonsure and Ear Boring:
With prior intimation to the temple it is possible for you to tonsure your baby’s hair at the temple. It is also possible to avail the services of a gold smith and have the baby’s ears pierced.
Festivals that are observed at the temple:
1) Pradoshams
2) Vaikasi Brahmotsavams
3) Aadi Pooram
4) Navarathiri Kolu
5) Navarathiri Theppam (Float festival)
6) Thirukkarthigai
7) Karthigai Somavaram
8) Margazhi utsavam (Thanur month)
9) Aarudhra Dharisanam
10) Mahashivarathiri
11) Panguni Uthiram.
How to reach the temple
By Air:
The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) which is 85 kms away.
From Tiruchirapalli one can take a taxi to the temple. If one is planning to visit the temple only a day after reaching Tiruchirapalli then one can stay overnight at either Thanjavur or Kumbakonam before proceeding to the temple the next morning.
There are excellent hotels that provide accommodation at both Kumbakonam and Thanjavur. The temple is about 25 kms from both Thanjavur and Kumbakonam and it takes about half hour to reach the temple. There are several means of transportation that can get you from Thanjavur/Kumbakonam to the temple that is in Thirukarukavur village Papanasam District.
By Train:
The nearest railway station is Papnasam at a distance of 6.5 kms.
The railway stations of Thanjavur and Kumbakonam can be used as destination stations. The temple is about 25 kms from both Thanjavur and Kumbakonam and it takes about half hour to reach the temple. There are several means of transportation that can get you from Thanjavur/Kumbakonam to the temple that is in Thirukarukavur village Papanasam District.
By Bus:
Thanjavur to Thirukarukavur: Route Numbers: 16, 24, 34 and 44
Kumbakonam to Thirukarukavur: Route Numbers: 11 and 29
Other Attractions:
The Garbarakshambigai Temple is located in the midst of the temple heartland. There are several temple that are close by, the most notable are the Navagraha Temples.
Route Map to The Temple:
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