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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Karpaka Vinayakar Temple (Pillaiyar Patti Pillaiyar Temple), Thiruppatthur, Sivaganga

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
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Greatness of Temple
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The Temple
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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
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Festivals
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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.
Connectivity
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