Karpaka Vinayakar Temple (Pillaiyar Patti Pillaiyar
Temple), Thiruppatthur, Sivaganga
Karpaka
Vinayakar Temple (Pillaiyar Patti Pillaiyar Temple) is an ancient rock-cut
cave shrine dedicated to Ganesha, located at Thiruppatthur (1 km from Thiruppatthur bus stand or
Thiruppatthur Tiruthali Nathar Temple (One of the Thevara temples), Sivaganga district in the state of Tamilnadu, India. In the cave temple, there are rock-cut images of Siva and other gods as well as several shrines.
The Agama texts found on stones in the temple help date the
temple between the years 1091 and 1238. A unique Tamil image of Pillaiyar found
in the temple helps to verify this dating.
The
presiding deity of the temple is Karpaka Vinayakar. As of today, the
Pillayarpatti Nagarathar worshipers are involved in conducting daily
worship services in the temple, as well as maintaining it. People from all over
the state come to the temple for the worship of Pillayar, the Lord of Wisdom.
It is one of the 9 temples of the Nagarathar Chettiar community of Chettinad, Tamilnadu. The Kozhukkattai
nivedhana is made from 18 measures of rice on the Vinayaka Chathurthi festival
day.
Pillaiyarpatti
temple is a rock – cut temple located about 12 km’s from Karaikudi on the
Karaikudi Madurai road. It was built after hewing a hillock by the early
Pandiya kings and the image of Karpaga Vinayaka and that of a Siva Linga were
carved out of a stone by a sculptor called Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan who put
his signature on a stone inscription found even today in the sanctum. He put
his signature in Tamil Language which was in use between 2nd and 5th century
AD. It can be concluded that the icon of Karpaga Vinayaka must have been carved
around 4th century AD.
The Ganesh
Chathurthi / Vinayaka Chathurthi
festival is celebrated for 10 days in a grand manner every year during the
months of August and September. During that time, great numbers of pilgrims
gather and participate in the Car Festival. Like all Shaivite temples,
Pillayarpatti temple also has Lord Shiva as its presiding deity. The lord's
name is Arjuna Pureeswarar. This temple is most Karpaga Vinayagar Koil is one
of the oldest cave temples or rock cut temples in Tamilnadu.
This
lovely temple is in Pillayarpatti, which is flanked by Pudukkottai and Karaikkudi. Pillaiyarpatti
town derives its name from 'Pillayar' - the Tamil name for Lord Ganesha.
Karpaga Vinayagar Temple’s presiding deity is Karpaka Vinayakar or Desi
Vinayaka Pillaiyar and he is depicted with two arms and a trunk bent towards
his right in the Valampuri mode. The image of Ganesha is massive, towering at
6ft, and is a superb bas relief in an excavated cave. The temple’s inner
sanctum is bathed in golden light thanks to the flickering oil lamps that
illuminate the sacred space. The magnificent idol is covered in gold but one
can only see the complete idol in all its glory during the Abhishekam or holy
bath.
Karpaga
Vinayagar Koil is also home to rock cut images of Shiva, Lingodbhava and many
others and there are quite a few other shrines. There are at least 15
inscriptions within, which help establish the temple’s antecedents. The temple
is steeped in the agamic tradition and is a great illustration of the rich
temple culture of the Tamilians which has endured through the ages.
History
For brief
details, please refer below link;
Greatness
of Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Pooja
Timings
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Festivals
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
Devotees
pray here for removal of obstacles in marriage proposals, for child boon and
for good education. Devotees perform abishek to Lord Vinayaka and offer
vastras.
Contact
Karpaka
Vinayakar Temple,
Pillaiyarpatti,
Sivagangai District,
Tamilnadu
– 630 207
Phone: 04577-264240,
264241, 264182, 264797
Email: pknkkai@bsnl.in
Accommodation
Around
47 cottages (including A/C cottages & western toilet facilities) are
maintained by the trust for the benefit of pilgrims. Cottages can be booked
well in advance through phone: 04577-264240, 264241, 264182, and 264797
Booking Time 7.00 A.M To 9.00 P.M. Cottage are available for rent only for pilgrimages purpose.
Booking Time 7.00 A.M To 9.00 P.M. Cottage are available for rent only for pilgrimages purpose.
Connectivity
For
brief details, please refer below link;
