Mullaivananathar Temple

🛕 Lord Shiva | 📍 Thirukkarugavur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Temple Tags: Ancient Temple Chola Temple Nayanmar Temple Paadal Petra Sthalam Tevaram Temple

✔ Verified by Mandirvaas

⏰ Darshan

Morning: 05:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Evening: 04:00 PM – 08:00 PM

📅 Best Time to Visit

Early morning is ideal for darshan, while major festival periods such as Vaikasi Visakam and Navaratri are also significant.

📸 Photography

Not Allowed

🔱 Temple Significance

Mullaivananathar Temple is a famous Paadal Petra Sthalam on the southern bank of the Vettar River. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Mullaivananathar and Goddess Parvathi as Garbarakshambigai/Karukkaththa Nayaki. The temple is especially renowned for blessings related to pregnancy, safe childbirth and protection of the unborn child. It is also one of the Pancha Aranya Sthalams, representing Mullai Vanam.

🏛 Temple History

The temple is traditionally associated with the legend of Vedhikai, whose pregnancy was protected by Goddess Garbarakshambigai after a miscarriage caused by a sage's curse. The name Thirukkarugavur is traditionally connected with the protection of the unborn child. The temple has Chola-period inscriptions and is associated with Rajaraja Chola I.

🪔

Daily Poojas

Regular temple worship schedule

🪔

No daily poojas available.

🔱

Special Rituals

Sacred offerings and temple rituals

🕉️

No special rituals available currently.

🎉 Temple Festivals

No festivals available.

🧭 Pilgrim Travel Tips

Devotees seeking blessings for conception, pregnancy and safe childbirth traditionally visit Garbarakshambigai. Early morning darshan is recommended. The temple can also be combined with the other Pancha Aranya temples.

🚍 How to Reach

🚆

Railway Station

Papanasam Railway Station • 7.00 km

✈️

Airport

Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) • 55.00 km

🚌

Bus Stand

Papanasam Bus Stand • 7.00 km

🔔 Darshan Timings & Rules

Dress Code: Traditional and modest dress recommended.

Photography: No

Prasad: Available

Prasad Details: Ghee and oil-related worship offerings associated with Garbarakshambigai are available through the temple. The HRCE temple page lists ghee for conception, oil for safe childbirth and other related services.