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Karpaka Vinayakar Temple is an ancient rock-cut cave
shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesh, located at Pillayarpatti
15 km west of Karaikkudi in the state of Tamil Nadu in
India. In the cave temple are rock cut images of Shiva and
other gods as well as several shrines. The Agama texts
found on stones in the temple help date the temple to the
period between 1091 AD and 1238 AD. The presiding deity is
Karpaka Vinayakar or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar.[1] It is 6
feet high and 5 feet wide. A unique Tamil image of Ganesha
is found in the temple help verify the temples's date.
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History
This image of Ganesha is bound to be familiar to anyone of
Tamil origin; however, little is known to many about the fact
that this is an image of the rock cut Karpaka Vinayakar Shrine
at Pillayarpatti near Karaikkudi at one of the oldest Cave
Temples (Rock Cut) temples of Tamilnadu. Pillayarpatti is
situated between Pudukkottai and Karaikkudi. The nearest
airport is at Tiruchirappalli. Chennai Rameswaram Express and
Kamban Express travel to these two railheads.
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Mythology
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. Steeped in the tradition of Agamic
textsthe temple bears testimony to the vibrant temple culture
of the Tamil people, passed down through centuries.
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 Ganesha is one factor testifying this date; the
characters used in the temple inscriptions also help establish
this date. The pillars within the shrine are of pre-Pallava
origin.
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The Temple Architecture
Over 15 inscriptions are found within the temple,
that help establish the age of the temple. The Stalapuranam
published by the temple classifies the growth of this temple
into three distinct stages. The Pallavas were prolific
builders of rock cut temples (Mahabalipuram, Mahendravadi,
Mamandur, Mandakapattu, Seeyamangalam, Namakkal, Tiruchi,
Nartamalai, Kudumiyanmalai, Tirukkokarnam, Tirumeyyam,
Peraiyur, Malayadipatti, Tirukolakkudi, Kunrakkudi etc.). A
number of these can be traced to Mahendravarman I (615 - 630
AD) and Narasimhavarman I (630 - 668 AD). However, the
inscriptions at Pillayarpatti date further back to the 4th
century AD. Also, given the location of the temple in the
Pandya kingdom it would only be logical to associate Pandya
patronage to this temple, especially in the light of Pandya
patronage at the Kazhugumalai temple not too far from here.
There are several inscriptions within this temple that date
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 phase 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, in this
rather remote town of Pillayarpatti. It is with great pride
that the Pillayarpatti Nagarathar community which has been
traditionally involved with the temple - patronizes
maintenance of this temple and the scrupulous conduct of
worship services.
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Festival
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. In addition, the ten day festival in the month of
Vaikasi (May - June) is held in honor of Kongu Nachiyamman, a
village deity whose processional image is also housed here.
The Margazhi Tiruvadirai festival is celebrated in honor of
Nataraja and Sivakami (Dec - Jan).
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