Saturday 2 January 2021

Sri Mullaivananathar Temple / Garbarakshambigai Temple / கர்பரக்ஷாம்பிகை கோவில், திருக்கருகாவூர், Thirukarugavur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 135th Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 18th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This temple is on the banks of River Vettaru, which was earlier called as Utpalaru – Uppalaru. This place is locally called as Thirukalaavur.


In PeriyaPuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar Visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirunallur. Also in Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal Puranam, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this place after worshiping Lord Shiva of Avoor.

நீடும் அப்பதி நீங்குவார் நிகழ்திரு நல்லூர்
ஆடுவார்திரு அருள்பெற அகன்று போந்து அங்கண்]
மாடும் உள்ளன வணங்கியே பரவிவந்து அணைந்தார்
தேடும்மால் அயற்கு அரியவர் திருக்கருகாவூர்
……….. திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்
கருகாவூர் முதலாகக் கண்ணுதலோன் அமர்ந்தருளும்
திருஆவூர் திருபாலைத்துறை பிறவும் சென்று இறைஞ்சிப்
பெருகு ஆர்வத் திருத்தொண்டு செய்து பெருந்திருநல்லூர்
ஒருகாலும் பிரியாதே உள் உருகிப் பணிகின்றார்
…… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

Thirugnanasambandar,  Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Vallalar  has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

முத்து இலங்குமறு வல்உமை அஞ்சவே
மத்த யாணைமறு கவ்உரி வாங்கியக்
கத்தை போர்த்த கடவுள்கரு காவூர்எம்
அத்தர் வண்ணம் அழலும் அழல் வண்ணமே
----- திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
முத்தன்ன வெண்ணகையாய்                                                                                                  … திருவெம்பாவை

வித்தாகும் முளையாகும் வேரே தானாம்
        வேண்டும் உருவமாம் விரும்பி நின்ற
பத்தாம் அடியார்க்கோர் பாங்க னுமாம்
        பால்நிறமு மாம்பரஞ் சோதி தானாம்
தொத்தாம் அமரர்கணஞ் சூழ்ந்து போற்றத்
        தோன்றாதென் உள்ளத்தி னுள்ளே நின்ற
கத்தாம் அடியேற்கும் காணா காட்டுங்
        கண்ணாங் கருகாவூ ரெந்தை தானே
…….. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்   
                                                                 -“மிக்க
அருகாவூர் சூழ்ந்தழகு பெறவோங்குங்
கருகாவூர் இன்பக் கதியே
…….. திரு அருட்பா
Moolavar  : Sri Karpapureeswarar, Sri Mullaivananathar,
                  Sri Mathaviveswarar
Consort    : Sri Garbarakshambigai, Sri Karkkaatha Nayagi

Some of the important features of this temple are...
The temple is facing east with a Rajagopuram. The temple tank is in front of the temple. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Rishabam is a vidanga moortham without chiseled. In sanctum Moolavar is swayambhu – Ant hill Putruman. Only punuku is applied and no abhishekam will be conducted.  In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma and Durgai.  

In the inner prakaram Vinayagar, Two Rishabas, two balipeedam, 63 var, Santhanachariyars, Vinayagar, Murugan, Gajalakshmi, Ratha shaped Sabha mandapam in that Nithua Maharishi worshiped Shiva Linga and Sthala Vruksham. Gauthamesar sannadhi is on the way to Ambal Temple.

At the entrance of sanctum Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar.  In Maha mandapam Navagrahas and Natarajar Sabha. Shiva and Ambal are in separate sannadhis side by side with separate entrance and Rajagopuras. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. Moolavar vimana is of vesara style.


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple was existed before 7th Century.  The temple was reconstructed with stone during medieval Chozha period.

Most of the inscriptions records the  endowment of burning perpetual lamps, Naivedyam / offerings, celebrations etc  for which land, cattle  are gifted to this temple and the temple activities are under the control of Karukavur Sabha.

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Madurai Konda Koparakesarivarman, Rajaraja Chozha-I, Rajendra Chozha-I, Kulothunga Chozha-I and Vikrama Chozha. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Thirukarukavur Mahadevar, Thirukarukavur Alwar, Thirumullaivanamudaya Mahadevar.   This place was under Vadakarai Pambur Natti devathanam Thirukudamooku Karukavur ( during Maduraikonda Koparakesarivarmar period ), Nithavinothavalanattu Avoor Kootrathu Thirukarukavur ( Rajaraja-I period ). 

Koparakesarivarmar’s period inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp,  by a merchant  Chamundamurthy, belongs to nandhipuram, for which a land was gifted to this temple after purchase. The land was on the banks of Utplaru and now called as Uppanaru.

Reference.

Papanasam Vatta Kalvettukal Part 1 & 2.
Thirukkarukavur Pages 1 to 49, Sl. Nos 1/1992 to 13/1992 & 1/1995 to 12/1995

Summaries of 25 inscriptions of Mullaivananathaswamy Temple at Thirukkarukavur of Papanasam Tk, Tanjore Districyt are given below with name of the king, regnal year, historical year and location. All records are written in Tamil language and Script except a few names in Grantha.

1/1992 Parakesarivarman’s, (Uttamachola) 5th regnal year 976 CE, inscription on the North wall of the Central shrine, records the sale of land as Thiruvunnalikaippuram by Kausiyan Misuņi, Ayiravan Maran and his two sons Marân Singan and Maran Kuladipan for 20 Ilakkasu. The land was originally purchased from 4 individuals who inherited that land by virtue of their right of worship in the temple.

2/1992 Parakesarivarman’s (Uttmachola) 5th regnal year 976 CE inscription on the North wall of the Central shrine records that, at the request of Singan kaliyan alias Uttamachōla Muvendavelän of Kommai- pakkam, the king donated 3 veli of land on the early morning of the first day of the month Aippasi (Sankaranti yelvai) while he had been in the temple at Thiruvalanjali. The annual produce of 710 kalam of paddy from the 3 veli is said to be utilised for various purposes such as food offering, lamps, salary and cloths for the temple servants (Nambimar), sandal, dammer and also to Karumāņikka devar ( Vishnu ) and Ganapatiyar. The decision was taken in the presence of the officials koyil Mayilai alias Maduräntakan Muvendavelän of Sigringan and Sättan Pasuvati alias Kaliyan Tandīsvaran, Panmähesvaras and Mulaparudaiyar.

3/1992 Parakesarivarman’s ( Uttamachola ), 5th regnal year, 976 CE inscription on the North wall of the Central shrine, records the gift of 3 veli of land by 5 individuals namely Korrangudaiyan Arangan Kunjikamallan, Päradayan Suvaran Tirumal, Paradāyan Damodiran Nārāyanan, Kavidi Nārāyana n Äyiravan, Paradāyan Nakkan Sendan. The land was exempted from tax and utilised for the expenses to supply 2 Indai malai (garland for forehead), Tirumalai and bell (made of gold?) for God.
........ The inscriptions will continue at the last of this post.

LEGENDS
This place was called as Mullaivanam, Madhavivanam, Karpapuri during puranic period. This place Karukkagavur - Mullaivanam is one of the Pancha aranya temples on the banks of river Kaveri. The rest are .. AvalivaNallur – Pathirivanam, Arathaiperumpazhi – Vannivanam,  Irumpoolai – Poolaivanam and Kollampudur – Vilvavanam. It is believed that it will be auspicious to worship the above temples during Early morning, after noon, noon, Evening and Ardha Jamam.

In Skaanda kshethra vaibhava Kaandam Sanathkumara Sangithai, Sanathkumarar  told the speciality and greatness of this temple to Narathar. Brahma, Gauthamar and Chandran also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.  

It is believed that those worships Ambal of this temple will not die before delivery and abortion will not happen. Oil will be given to the pregnant ladies to apply on their stomach, as a prasad to pregnant ladies for a safe delivery. It is also believed that the abisheka ghee of Ambal will give a child boon to ladies.


POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
The  poojas conducted before, during pregnancy  and post delivery periods are Ghee prasadam pooja. (To conceive), Castor oil prasadam pooja. (For Safe delivery), Punugu sattam pooja.( For better health ), Abhishekam, Annadhanam, Kattalai Archanai, Nava kodi nei deepam (nine crores ghee lamps), Sandana kappu.(Sandal Paste offering ), Thanga thottil /cradle, Thulabharam and Ear boring ceremony and Head tonsure.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 15.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS : 
The Land Line numbers : + 91 4374 273 502 & +91 4374 273 473 and mobile number +91 9789160819 may be contacted for further details.
Phone number +91 4374 273423 and +91 8870058269

HOW TO REACH : 
Town bus route nos are 11 & 52, available from Kumbakonam, Kumbakonam to Avoor bus via Milattur and Kumbakonam to Thanjavur buses passes through this place.
The temple is 9.4 KM from Papanasam, 12 KM from Chakkarapalli, 20 KM from Kumbakonam, 27 KM from Thanjavur and 313 KM from Chennai.  
Nearest Railway station is Papanasam and Junction is Kumbakonam.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE





Inscriptions Continued... 
6/1992 – Parantaka-I’s, 18th regnal year 925 CE, inscription on the West wall of the Central shrine records that, based on the audit of the tax accounts of the temple land conducted by Tennavan Saliyavaraiyan and Sõjavelär in accordance with temple administrators such as Panmäheswaras and Thirükkyöiludaiyärkal, it was decided that the taxes to be exempted after receiving 70 Kalanju of gold as deposit. The said lands were originally gifted by 4 individuals namely Marudan Dalan, Semangudan Ayiravan, Samundan Murti and Moguliyan Sittan valugan for sacred food and perpetual lamps
 
7/1992- This fragment 11th Century CE inscription on the South wall of the Central shrine, records the gift of gold weighing 17 Kalanju and 11 mañjādi by Pidaran Udaiyan and was attested by Vidangan Devan, Tattārakkani of that village.
(Note: This inscription was mentioned as a fragment and stated that the gift had been made by Vidangan devan in A.R.E.).

8/1992 Parantaka-I’s, 33rd regnal year, 940 CE inscription on the South wall of the Central shrine, records the gift of land by Nakkan vikramabharani, a servant of queen Minavan Mädeviyär after purchase from Kundam Pandan of Koggankudi. The land was cultivated by digging a tank and the tax to be remitted by Village assembly (Ur.) The administrative body (parishad) was entrusted to pay the tax on behalf of Ur, for that it received gold deposit. It is also stated that, if the parishad is failed to pay the tax, a fine of 50 Kalanju with defaulted amount of tax to be collected.
 
9/1992 – Parantaka-I’s 24th regnal year 931 CE inscription on the South wall of the Central shrine, records the gift of one perpetual lamp by Nakkan chandradevi of Jeya- bhīmatali at Tanjavur and the land by Amur náttuvalar. Thadinot
 
10/1992 Parakesari varman’s 16th regnal year 10th century CE, inscription on the South wall of the Central shrine, records the sale of land to the temple by Mulaparidai ( Mulaparished ) for 31 Kasu. The land was mentioned as 'Kuttu Nilam' (i.e.) joint right holding of Sabha and Ur.
 
11/1992 Parantaka-I’s, 14th regnal year 921CE, inscription on the South wall of the Central shrine, Records the gift of land by one Chamundan Mürti, a merchant of Nandipuram for lighting a perpetual lamp The yield of that land has to be utilized after remitting the taxes. The responsibility has been fixed with the group called Ayiran Tiruvadi'.
 
12/1992 – Parantaka-I’s, 17th regnal year 924 CE, inscription on the South wall of Ardha mandapa records that Arangalayan son of Pattur kilän gifted 2 ma of land for conducting festival. ( Tiruvilappuram ) and of land ( araikkal ) in Ten Mallikam for blowing conch. After remitting the taxes, the balance has to be utilised for this purpose.
 
13/1992 Parantaka-I’s, 23rd regnal year 930 CE, inscription on the South wall of the Ardha mandapa, records the Gift of land by Nilayan Kann[an] of Uluntankudi to provide ghee for food offering and a specific ritual ( Ipti kāryam ). stops abruptly.

1/1995 Parakesarivarman’s, 10th century CE, inscription on the South wall of Ardha mandapa, records the gift of land by Raman Rayana... after purchase from Sankan Devan and some others to provide sacred food and perpetual lamp to the temple.
 
3/1995 Rajendra-I’s regnal year lost inscription on the Northern Adhishtana of the central shrine, records the tax free gift of land after purchase for rearing the flower garden in the name of Adavallan on the Southern side of Thirukarukávur Udaiyar temple by Sõjakula Sundariyar, daughter ( pillaiyar ) of the King. The land was made tax free by depositing 15 Kasu. The boundaries of the land are also specified
 
4/1995 Rajadhiraja-I’s, 32nd Regnal year 1048 CE, inscription on the North wall and Adhishtana ( Patti and Kumudam ) of Central shrine. Starts with his meikirti as "Tingalertaru.... ". It records the gift of land as Sälaipuram by Bhattalakan Maduravāsakiyar, personal attendant (anukkiyar) of Rajadhiraja I, after purchase from the sabaiyar in three different occasions in the years 26, 28 and 31 for 40, 45, 110 kasu respectively. The arrangements were made to provide food 2 times daily to 5 Brahmins from the yield of that land, This deed is mentioned as Sabha. Niyogam'.
 
6/1995 – The fragment and damaged inscription with out King name and year on the West side of Adhishtana ( Kumudam ) of the Central shrine, records the distribution of Cows among various individuals in-order to supply ghee for lighting 3 perpetual lamps. They had to supply 22 nali and uri monthly at the rate of 3 ulakku per day.
 
7/1995 The damaged inscription without King name and year, on  the Central shrine, is a sale deed executed by a brahmin lady named Kuttan Adaikkalam wife of Danti Divakara Bhatta under the guardianship of one Päratayan Janardhana, It is mentioned that the said land include the property of her brother-in-law, Bhattan ächan alias Vairāki sõgi which was obtained by her by paying the fine assigned to him. The beginning is lost.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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