Karpaka Vinayagar
Temple is a 1600 year old Ganesha temple, located at Pillayarpatti, near
Karaikudi, Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu. Popularly known as Pillayarpatti
Temple, Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar temple is one of the oldest cave temples in
Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity, Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar or Karpaka
Vinayakar, is a 6 foot tall bas-relief carved out of an excavated cave. Lord
Ganesh is seen with two arms and a trunk curled towards his right side
(Valampuri Vinayagar).
Karpaka Vinayakar idol
is facing north which is said to be the direction of Lord Kubera – the God of
Wealth. Karpaga Vinayagar idol is in meditation posture here with Shiva Lingam
at his right hand (most Ganesha idols usually have mothakam in the right hand);
hence Ganesha is also called Yoga Vinayagar (Ganesha with meditation and all
fortunes), the one who grants success to all requests of his devotees.
Arulmigu Karpaga
Vinayagar Temple also enshrines Tiruveesar, a Shiva Lingam carved into the cave
wall, and Marudankudi Eesar with his consort Vaadaamalar Mangai. A five-headed
snake wearing a lingam on its neck is an important carving here. The temple
also enshrines Pasupatheeswarar (who showers all wealth), Nagalingam (who gifts
offspring to human beings), and Goddess Karthiyayini (who arrange marriages).
The inscriptions
within this temple dates back between 1091 AD and 1238 AD. There are 14 Agama
texts found on stone sculptures in the cave from 500 BC to 1284 AD. According
to the stone sculptures the ancient names of Pillaiyarpatti are Maruthangudi,
Ekkattoor, Rajanarayanapuram, and Thiruveenkaikkudi. The temple features two
Rajagopurams, a vimana, and a beautiful temple tank. Karpaka Vinayakar Temple
is also known by the names Desigavinayaga Pillaiyar Temple, Vinayagar Cave
Temple, and often Pillayar Temple.
Karpaka Vinayakar Temple
Festivals
The 10 day annual
Vinayakar Chaturthi festival is observed here during August – September. On the
9th day of Vinayaka Chaturthi, Desi Vinayakar is covered with about 80 kg of
sandal wood paste (Santha-na-kkappu). Another ten day festival in honor of
Kongu Nachiyamman, a village deity whose processional image is housed in the
temple, is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi (May - June). Margazhi
Tiruvathirai Festival is also held here in honor of Lord Nataraja and Sivakami
during December - January.
Temple Timings
Karpaka Vinayakar
Temple daily worship timings are from 6 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8.30 pm.
How to reach
Pillayarpatti Temple
Pillayarpatti is
located 10 km west of Karaikudi in the Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu. The
nearest railway stations are Karaikudi Junction Railway Station and Pudukkottai
Railway Station. Chennai Rameswaram Express and Kamban Express passes through
these two railheads. Tiruchirapalli Airport or Trichy Airport, located on the
NH 210 Tiruchirapalli - Rameswaram Highway, is the nearest air base.
Nearby Attractions
The Gokarneswarar
Temple is located at Pudukkottai and the Kunnakkudi hill temple dedicated to
Shanmukhanathar (Lord Muruga).
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