Top 3 Must visit temples in Tamilnadu for having a Baby
In most of the Indian families, if you are married for more than a year, then you can definitely feel the pressure of having a baby. When our (Human) efforts fail, then we seek a miracle or blessings from God, since we strongly believe that there lies a supreme power that guides us in every stage of our life.
Now, when it comes to planning for a baby, it is not just getting conceived. It is actually a 3-phase cycle that starts from getting conceived and it goes till you give birth to a healthy baby without any complications. Here is the Top 3 must visit temples for having a baby. Let’s explore these temples one by one.
Let’s explore these temples one by one.
- Development of the foetus – Karuvalarcheri Akilandeshwari temple
- Protecting the foetus – Thirukarugavur Garbarakshambikai temple
- Safe delivery of a healthy baby – Tiruchy Thayumanavar Swami temple
Do visit these temples and have a Happy Motherhood !!!
Karuvarchery Akilandeshwari Temple – The Goddess Who Blesses the Foetus with Growth
First in the list is the Karuvalarcheri Akilandeshwari Ambal sametha SriAgastheeswarar Temple. Mother Sri Akilandeswari here is known as Karu Valarkkum Nayagi – the Goddess who blesses the foetus with growth. In other words, the Universal Mother in this temple gives the blessing of development to the foetus.
The goddess here is a suyambhu (i.e.) it is formed by its own. It is in the form of puthu (snake pit) and so there is no abhishekam for amman. A sort of oil called punugu will be applied on her and the devotees are allowed to see only her face. We can see the full darshan of the amman during the 9 days of Navrathri. The main deity is called Shri Agastheeswarar because he was worshipped by the sage Agasthiyar and his wife Lopamudhra.
Those who seek the blessings for having a child, go to this temple and there you will be asked to follow a simple procedure. The procedure is that you will have to first clean the metal steps of the garbhagraham with pure ghee and put a kolam. Then you will be given a lemon and 7 Manjal kizhangu (Turmeric sticks). The lemon should be made as a juice and that should be consumed by the couple in the same glass. Then the turmeric must be applied only by the concerned girl daily while taking bath (except for 5 days of menstrual cycle). It is strongly believed that the women will get conceived before all the turmeric is used.
Thirukarugavur Garbarakshambikai Temple – The God Who protects the foetus
Next in our list is Thirukarugavur Sri Mullaivananathar sametha Garbarakshambigai Amman temple. Mother Sri Garbarakshambikai here is known as Karu Kakkum Nayagi – the Goddess who blesses the protection of the foetus. In other words, she is the Goddess who embraces and helps a woman to carry her baby to a full term without any hurdles throughout her pregnancy.
History says that Goddess Pravathi took the avatar of Garbarakshambikai Amman to bless her ardent devotee Vedhikai, the wife of Sage Nithuvar. Vedhikai got conceived with the blessings of the Goddess and when Vedhikai almost lost her foetus, the Goddess Garbarakshambigai came to her rescue, protected her foetus by holding it in a “Kalasam – a divine pot”. She also helped the foetus to grow in the divine pot itself until it grew as a developed child (Scientifically it’s a test tube baby !! 🙂 ) Can you believe that this miracle did happen in our holy country some thousand years ago ???
The main deity Sri Mullaivananathar (Lord of Jasmine garden) is a suyambu lingam and as the name suggests, you can notice the impression of jasmine creepers which would have covered the Shiva lingam. The Goddess Garbarakshambikai is a 7 feet tall beautiful idol with the most graceful smile on her face depicting the positivity and a ray of hope in all the devotees life.
Pregnant woman expecting delivery has to obtain the blessed castor oil from this temple. It is not necessary for the woman to come in person. Her husband or any of her family members can come and get the same. The oil must be applied in the lower abdomen of the woman during pain or any uneasiness that is felt during the period of pregnancy. This will eliminate all the complications, dangers and after effects of delivery.
Trichy Thayumanavar Swamy Temple – The God Who helps to deliver a healthy baby
Finally, on the list is the Thayumanavar Swamy temple located close to the base of the Rockfort which was constructed by the Pallava king in the 6th century AD. Lord Shiva who is worshiped as Thayumanavar is known as The God who became Mother – who helps in the safe delivery of a healthy baby.
According to Hindu legend, a woman named Rathnavathi was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. While she was nearing her labor, she requested her mother to come over to her place for help. Since there was a heavy flood in the Cauvery River, her mom could not reach on time. As delivery time came closer, Rathnavathi prayed to Lord Shiva. Being impressed by the prayers and the devotion of Rathnavathi, the Lord took the form of Rathnavathi’s mother and helped her with a smooth delivery. After the safe delivery, Lord Shiva vanished and at the same time, Rathnavathi’s mother arrived. Later the family realized that it was Lord Shiva who attended the delivery. Hence, Shiva in the temple came to known as Thayumanaswamy, meaning the Lord who could act like a Mother. The goddess Parvathi is known by the name Mattuvar Kuzhalammai.
Even today, women who are expecting the baby, pray to Thayumanaswamy for the safe delivery and a healthy baby. Once the bay is born, a whole stalk of green bananas will be offered to God as a note of Thanksgiving. 🙂
