24,
May 2011
Karpaga
Vinayagar Temple is one of the oldest Cave Temples (Rock Cut) temples of
Tamil Nadu and is situated at Pillayarpatti, which is between Pudukkottai and
Karaikudi.
The
town of Pillayarpatti
View of front mandapam with east side Rajagopuram in front of Shiva's sannidhi
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Antiquity:
Over 15 inscriptions are found within the temple, that help establish the age
of the temple. The Sthalapuranam published by the temple classifies the growth
of this temple into three distinct stages.
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 to this
date; the characters used in the temple inscriptions also help establish this
date. The pillars within the shrine are of pre-Pallava origin.
The
Pallavas were prolific builders of rock-cut temples (Mahabalipuram,
Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Mandagapattu, Seeyamangalam, Namakkal, Tiruchi,
Narthamalai, Kudumiyanmalai, Thirukokarnam, Thirumeyyam, Peraiyur, Malayadipatti,
Thirukolakudi, Kundrakudi etc.). A number of these can be traced to
Mahendravarman I (615 - 630 CE ) and Narasimhavarman I (630 - 668 CE ). However,
the inscriptions at Pillayarpatti date further back to the 4th century CE.
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 CE and 1238 CE, 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 Rajagopuras 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 Gopuras provide an
attractive approach to the temple, in this rather remote town of Pillayarpatti .
DEITIES
Karpaka
Vinayakar or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar 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 say that Lord
Vinayaka is the Lord of wisdom, which is confirmed by the head of the elephant in
the shape of the sacred mantra "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 bend of the left tusk up to
the tip of the trunk, the Tamil alphabet "O" appears. The Lingam in the hand
indicates the alphabet "M". Together they form "OM ".
This is confirmed by the lord here "Valampuri Pillayar". As Vinayagar
satisfies the wishes of his devotees like the Karpagam tree, he is also known as "Karpaga Vinayagar".
Here Lord Vinayaka appears with 2 hands unlike in other places where he is seen
with 4 hands. Also, he is seen seated without Pasa Angusa, with his legs folded
and stomach not touching the Asanam in the form of "Ardha Padmasana".
The
word Vinayaga means "Incomparable Leader" Devotees worshiping Valampuri
Vinayagar seated facing north, will be blessed with all wealth.
Chanting of sacred mantras by the students learning Vedas and agamas in the Vedagama School
( Entrance of east side Rajagopuram )
SHIVA TEMPLE INSIDE
THE PREMISES OF PILLAYARPATTI.
The
deity of this temple known as "Marudeeswarar" is the Marudha tree (In
Sanskrit Arjuna Viruksha, The Botanical name is Terminalia Arjuna) worship is
followed in this temple which indicates that this temple is an ancient temple.
The sculptor of Pasupatheeswarar, "A cow worshiping Lord Siva by offering
his milk" is the special feature of this temple. Also, Kubera the Lord of
wealth worshiped at this temple.
To illustrate the information that one who controls his five senses will be
able to understand God, a sculpture of a Five hooded snake wearing a Lingam on
its neck is found here. The five hoods of the snake indicate the five senses
while the Lingam indicates God. Also adding to the spirituality Goddess Lakshmi,
Saraswati, and Durgai are found together in the same sport.
Unlike other places, the three Lingams Thiruveesar, Marudheesar, and
Senchadeswarar and the three Goddess Sivagami Amman mman
It
is believed that by worshiping Kathyayini Amman
HOW
TO REACH :
Frequent
buses are available from Karaikudi.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
Temple complex view with temple tank
Ambal Sannadhi vimanam
Rajagopuram in front of Vinayagar sannadhi
A small sannadhi on a rock
Daughter sitting in front of a mandapam near Vinayagar sannadhi Rajagopuram
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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