Pillaiyarpatti - Karaikudi

Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Temple,
History of the Temple

Pillaiyarpatti is named after 'Pillayar' - the Tamil name for Ganesa, and this ancient temple houses rock cut images of Shiva, Lingodbhavar and others as well as several other shrines. Steeped in the tradition of Agamic texts the temple bears testimony to the vibrant temple culture of the Tamil people, passed down through centuries. Karpaka Vinayakar or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar is the presiding deity here, and he is portrayed with two arms and a trunk curled towards his right in the valampuri mode.


This 6 feet tall mammoth image of Ganesa is a bas-relief in an excavated cave, off of a hill in the precincts of the temple. Tiruveesar is a Shiva Lingam carved in a similar manner. Other deities in the temple include Marudankudi Eesar and his consort Vaadaamalar Mangai . Over 15 inscriptions on stones (kalvet) are found within the temple, which helps to establish the age of this temple. The history of the temple classifies the growth of this temple into three distinct stages. The first stage goes back in time by about 1600 years. During this period, the innermost rock cut shrines housing Karpaka Vinayakar and Tiruveesar came into being. The uniqueness of the image of Ganesa is one factor testifying this date. There are several inscriptions within this temple that dates back to the period between 1091 AD and 1238 AD,making it apparent that the Pillayarpatti Nagarattar became the custodians of the temple during the 13th century AD during the second growth of this temple, when Vimanams and Rajagopurams were built. The third phase of growth is much more recent and it involved the repair, rebuilding and refurbishment of the entire temple complex, including the renovation of the temple tank. The tank and the two Raja Gopurams provide an attractive approach to the temple.


Deities

Karpaka Vinayakar or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar is the presiding deity here, and he is portrayed with two arms and a trunk curled towards his right in the valampuri mode. This 6 feet tall mammoth image of Ganesha is a bas relief in an excavated cave, off of a hill in the precincts of the temple. Tiruveesar is a Shiva Lingam carved in a similar manner. Other deities in the temple include Marudankudi Eesar and his consort Vaadaamalar Mangai.

Location of the Temple

Sri Karpaga Vinayakar temple is situated in Pillayarpatti, Sivagangai district near Karaikudi of Tamilnadu, India. The rock cut Karpaka Vinayakar Shrine at Pillayarpatti is one of the oldest Cave Temples (Rock Cut) temples of Tamilnadu