Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1126 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Ancient · Hindu · India

Mullaivananathar Temple (Garbharakshambigai)

திருமுல்லைவாசல் முல்லைவன நாதர் கோயில்

Thirukarukavur, Tamil Nadu · 10.8699°, 79.2741°

Shiva (Mullaivananathar), with goddess GarbharakshambigaiEarly Chola—Paadal Petra Sthalam
Sacred since
100 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
Early Chola (Killivalavan)
Early Chola

History & significance

Shiva shrine on the Kaveri attributed to the Early Chola king Killivalavan, counted among the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams hymned by Tirugnanasambandar. Its goddess Garbharakshambigai draws devotees seeking safe pregnancy and childbirth.

Sthala katha — the legend

The goddess is believed to have received her initiation at this shrine.

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Related sites

Brihadisvara Temple
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1003–1010 CE
Airavatesvara Temple
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mid-12th c. CE
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Madurai · India
current structure largely 16th–17th c.
Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Chidambaram · India
core 10th c.; expanded to 13th c.
Ekambareswarar Temple
Kanchipuram · India
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Ramanathaswamy Temple
Rameswaram · India
12th–18th c. (great corridor 18th c., Sethupathis)

Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Early Chola