Karuvalarcheri Temple refers to the abode of Goddess Akilandeswari, in the place called Karuvalarcheri, near Kumbakonam. Here, Akilandeswari is revered as Karu Valarkkum Nayaki, the Divine Mother who nurtures the fetus in the mother’s womb so that it grows well and is born healthy; hence, the place itself became Karu Valar Cheri, the location that helps the fetus grow well. This Goddess can be said to be complementary to Goddess Garbha Rakshambika, who protects the unborn baby.
The Temple is principally dedicated to Shiva as Agastheeswarar, along with his consort, Akilandeswari, but is more famous as the abode of Karu Valarkkum Nayaki. The Temple is one of the major centers of worship coming in the Agastya Siddha Lineage.
The Temple lies on the Kumbakonam-Mannargudi road, about 2 km from a place called Marudanallur.
Karuvalarcheri Temple Legend
This Temple is associated with the celebrated sage Agastya. He is one of the Sapta Rishis, the 7 great sages, and also hailed as the earliest or the first of the Siddhars, the mystics or saintly beings with tremendous spiritual powers. According to legends, Agastya used to come to this Temple with his consort Lopamudra and offer prayers to Lord Agastheeswara and Goddess Sri Akilandeswari, particularly during the Sacred occasions of Shivaratri and Navaratri, and seek spiritual guidance.
Goddess Akilandeswari, the Karu Valarkkum Nayaki, is considered Swayambhu, who manifested on her own Divine will as mystical energy in the anthill present in the Temple. As she is self-manifested, they don’t perform Abishekam, the hydration ceremony for her idol; instead, they give her only an oil bath. Devotees worship this anthill as ‘Putru Kovil’ to receive the Goddess’ blessings.
In this Temple, the devotees will usually be able to see only the face of the Goddess; they have to visit this Temple on special occasions like Navaratri when they can have the Darshan of the Goddess in her complete form.
Karuvalarcheri Temple Structure
The Karuvalarcheri Temple is an ancient structure belonging to the Dravidian architectural style. Many rulers have also renovated it with many additions and alterations over the centuries. It has separate shrines for the principal deity Agastheeswarar in the form of a Shiva Lingam, Goddess Akilandeswari, celebrated as Karu Valarkkum Nayaki, and Ganesha. We can worship the Goddess in the sanctum in the standing posture. The Temple also has a 3-tiered Rajagopuram, the main tower.
Karuvalarcheri Temple Significance and Festivals
Devotees visit this Temple all through the year, praying to the Divine couple and seeking their grace. Many eligible couples also come here seeking child boon from the Goddess. Pregnant women also pray here for the safety of the fetus, its proper development, and safe delivery.
The festival of Navaratri, the 9 nights of the Goddess, is important in all Temples, especially in those where prominence is given to the Goddess. Karuvalarcheri is no exception to this phenomenon, where Navaratri remains the most significant festival celebrated with much fervor and enthusiasm. While they also celebrate festivals like Deepavali, they perform special worship on the Fridays of the Tamil month Aadi (July-August), regarded as Sacred for Goddess worship.
Karuvalarcheri Temple Worship Benefits
It is believed that this Goddess is both the giver and protector of life and her grace can help from the conception of the baby to its safe birth. Thus, people believe that the grace of Goddess Karu Valarkkum Nayaki can bestow eligible couples with progeny blessing; it can also ensure the safety of the fetus in case of pregnant women, a problem-free pregnancy, and the safe delivery of a healthy baby.
Couples seeking the child boon ask for the Goddess’ mercy by performing a ritual here, where they clean and venerate the steps of the sanctum with ghee or clarified butter. They also decorate the steps with a special chalk powder. Then the priests perform the Pooja to the Goddess on behalf of the couple and hand over 7 pieces of turmeric and one lemon as the Divine Mother’s blessing. The couple has to extract the juice from that lemon and consume it entirely, while the lady has to keep applying the turmeric, one piece after the other, on her body. It is believed that using 3 or 4 pieces of turmeric will be enough for the woman to conceive.
Similarly, pregnant women have to visit two Sacred spots in the Temple with devotion and faith. According to belief, one of these will bless the expectant mother with the proper growth of the baby in her womb, and the other will safeguard the fetus and ensure its safe delivery.
Once the baby is born and has grown, the couple is required to come to the Temple with the baby and express their gratitude to the Goddess through prayers and contributions.
Those of marriageable age and looking for a life partner can also seek this Goddess’ blessings to get united with a good and suitable spouse.
