Thirukarugavur is to be found in Thanjavur district, Papanasam panchayat. Cauvery's tributary Vettar flows by, adding to the natural beauty of the place.
The temple lies 20 km east of Thanjavur and 20 km west of Kumbakonam.
A padal petra sthalam, Thirugnana Sambandar and Thirunavukarasar have sung the glory of this temple. It is being well maintained by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department.
Lord Shiva is known as Mullaivananathar and the goddess, Karukatha Nayagi (Sri Garbarakshambigai) in this temple.
The place was earlier known as Mullaivanam and sages Gauthamar amd Kargeyar were performing penance there. Nithuruvar and his wife Vedigai stayed in the ashram and served the sages. They told the sages that they were childless and wanted children. The two sages advised that they worship Mullaivananathar and Karukatha Nayagi to have their wish fulfilled.
After they prayed to the Lord and His consort, Vedigai became pregnant. Once when Nithuruvar was not around and Vedigai was in a swoon during to her pregnancy, sage Oordhuva Padar came to the ashram seeking alms. As Vedigai was unconscious and Nithuruvar was not there, they could not give him alms. Angered by the indifference, the sage cursed Vedigai and her foetus got aborted.
Shaken by these happenings, Vedigai appealed to the Goddess who appeared as Garbarakshambigai in front of her. She put the aborted foetus in a 'kudam' and safeguarded it till it attained its full growth. She handed over baby Nanduruvan to Vedigai.
Thrilled at the Goddess' kindness, Vedigai prayed to Her that She should stay in the same place in the form of Garbarakshambigai and help save pregnant women and foetuses. The Ambal also agreed and from that day on the place came to be known as Thirukarugavur and the Goddess as Sri Garbarakshambigai.
Since Vedigai could not breastfeed Nanduruvan, the Goddess sent Kamadhenu to feed the baby. Kamadhenu scratched the surface of the ground with its hoof and a milk tank appeared. The tank found opposite the temple is still known as ksheerakundam (milk tank).
It is believed that the childless and those who are not able to sustain a pregnancy would be blessed with a child if they prayed to the Ambal here. And for those who are already pregnant, the oil sold in the temple would act as an armour and help them have an easy delivery.
Mullaivananathar is a swayambulingam. It is made of an anthill (putru manal) and there are marks on the Lingam of a mullai (jasmine) creeper that is believed to have wrapped itself around it. Those who suffer from incurable diseases, do punugu (a kind of perfumed substance obtained from the civet cat) abhishekam to get cured

In southIndia  one of the oldesttowns is Kumbakonam.There are no.of ancient temples in the kumbakonam.One of the famous place is Mahamakham Tank.In kumbakonam Lord Brahma having unique temple it is very rare temple in India.Kumbakonam is the one of the holy city in India.

 In Kumbakonam  lot of temples are there for Lord.shiva.Adi Kumbeswarar is one of the sacred temple.This located in the centre of the town.The area of the temple is 1,89,000sq.ft.The height of the main gopuram is 128feet.It having four entrance with shops.

In Kumbakonam the famous one is mahamagam.mahamakham mandabam was built in 1542.The area occupied was 20acres.In that well lot of theerthans is mixed so we dip in the tank we are blessed this is one of the belief in kumbakonam. The other names of Mahamakham tank are Anuratha Teertham, Kanni Teertham, Papanasa Teertham.

To the North part of Mahamagam tank ,the kasi viswanatha temple is located.In this temple Nava kannikas are there.Ganga,Yamuna,Godavari,Narmada,Saraswati,Kaveri,Kumari,Payoshni and Sarayu are NavaKannikas.

In Lord Kumbeswara temple contains beautiful Sculpture,on the single block stone 27 stars and 12 rasis are carved.Here rare murugan who having six heads but having six hands.Sarangapani temple,Nageswaran temple,Chakrapani temple,Kalyanasundareswarar temple are the popular temples in kumbakonam.