Pillayarpatti - About the temple:
Karpaga Vinayagar kovil is one of the oldest cave temples (Rock Cut) of Tamilnadu. The town of Pillaiyarpatti is named after 'Pillayar' - the tamil name for Ganesha, and this ancient temple houses rock cut images of Shiva, Lingodbhavar and others as well as several other shrines.
Deities:
Karpaga Vinayagar 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. Scholars says that Lord Vinayaga is the Lord of wisdom, which is confirmed by the head of elephant in the shape of sacred mantram "OM". When we draw a line from the broken left tusk, starting upward, then turning left to wards right ear and after passing through the bended left tusk up to the tip of trunk, Tamil alphabet "O" appears. The Lingam in the hand indicates the alphabet "M". Together they form "OM". As Vinayagar satisfies the wishes of his devotees like Karpagam tree, he is also known "Karpaga Vinayagar".
Other Deities
Besides Karpaga Vinayagar, there are many other images of deities carved out of rocks. One of them is Thiruveesar, a Siva Lingam. Other gods presiding in this temple are Marudankudi Eesar and Vaadaamalar Mangai.
Phone
04577-264240, 264241, 264182, 264797
Location
Pillayarpatti is situated at a distance of 71 kms from Madurai and 12 kms from Karaikudi on Tirupathur - Karaikudi state highway.
Bus Services
There is frequent Bus service available from major cities like Chennai, Madurai, Karaikudi, Devakottai, Tirucirappali, Sivagangai, Rameswaram, Sivakasi, Paramakudi, Theni, Kodaikanal, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Palani, Pudhukkotai, Aranthangi, Salem, Nagore, Nagappattinam, Bangalore.
Train Services
The nearest Railway Station is at Karaikudi which is 13 kms , Madurai 70 Kms and Tiruchi 100 Kms away from Pillayarpatti.
Below are the trains from Chennai to Karaikudi.
Rameswaram Express/6101 --- Chennai Egmore / Tiruchirappalli / Karikudi / Rameshwaram departs at 19.55 from Chennai daily.
Rameswaram Express/6713 --- Chennai Egmore / Tiruchirappalli / Karikudi / Rameshwaram departs at 17.00 from Chennai daily.
Air Services
The nearest Airports: Madurai - 70 kms, Tiruchi - 100 Kms, Coimbatore - 260Kms
Pooja Timings
1. Thiruvanandal - 06.00 A.M - 06.30 A.M
2. Kaalasanthi - 08.30 A.M - 09.30 A.M
3. Uchikalam - 11.30 A.M - 12.00 P.M
4. Maalaisanthi or Sayaratsai - 05.00 P.M - 06.30 P.M
5. Iravusanthi or Arthajaman - 07-45 P.M - 08-30 P.M
Worship Time
06.00 A.M - 1.00 P.M &
04.00 P.M - 8.30 P.M
Festivals:
The grandest of festivals is Ganesh Chaturti in the month of Aug - September, where a ten day celebration brings much gaiety to this temple town. Each day's celebration is marked by much splendor as Pillayar is taken in procession around town on several of his mounts, as are the other Pancha Murthys. The ninth day of the festival is marked by a chariot procession.
History
(temple side view)
The history of the Karpaga Vinayagar Temple in Pillayarpatti can be classified into three broad stages of growth stretching back to over 1600 years ago. The first period involved the creation of the innermost rock cut structures housing the primary image of Karpaga Vinayagar and also that of Tiruveesar. The distinctiveness of the image of Vinayagar at Pillayarpatti as well as the characters used in temple inscriptions helps corroborate the date of the original construction of the temple at around the 4th century AD. The pillars within the innermost shrine are also from this period.
The Pillayarpatti temple went through a second phase of growth when the Pillayarpatti Nagarathar community took over management of the shrine. Several inscriptions within the Karpaka Vinayagar Temple dating back to the period between 1091 and 1238 AD attest to this period of development which involved the building of the rajagopurams and vimanam.
The third stage of growth is the more recent renovations and refurbishments of the temple complex, including enlargements of the temple tank and the two rajagopurams that provide a majestic approach to the Pillayarpatti temple.
Managed to this day by the capable hands of Karpaga Vinayagar Nagarathar Trust, the temple enjoyed the patronage of local rulers throughout its history, including that of the Pandya kingdom of Tamil Nadu. The Karpaga Vinayagar Temple is today recognized as one of the best managed Hindu temples in India, known for its cleanliness and general upkeep.
Nearby Attractions
The Gokarneswarar Temple is located at Pudukkottai
Kunnakkudi hill temple dedicated to Shanmukhanathar (Lord Muruga).
Thirumayam Fort, Karaikudi
Town of Karaikudi
Chettinad Region
Chettinad Palace
Source of this article
Pillayarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar Temple Trust Website.
Retrieved Nov 23, 2009
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