Karpaka Vinayakar Temple

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Karpaka Vinayakar Kovil
The deity covered in a golden coat
Name:	Karpaka Vinayakar Kovil
Date built:	4th century
Primary deity:	Karpaka Vinayakar
Location:	Pillayarpatti, Tamil Nadu

Karpaka Vinayakar Temple is an ancient rock-cut cave shrine dedicated to Ganesha, located at Pillayarpatti, (15 kilometers west of Karaikkudi), in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

In the cave temple, there 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 between the years of 1091 and 1238. A unique Tamil image of Ganesha found in the temple helps to verify this dating. The presiding deity of the temple is Karpaka Vinayakar or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar.^[1]

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, as well as great numbers of pilgrims, come here everyday and gather for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival held every year during the months of August and September.^[2]

Like all Shivite temples, Pillayarpatti temple also has Lord Shiva as its presiding deity. Lord's name is Arjunapureeswarar. This temple is more famous for the rock cut Vinayagar (Ganesha) sitting majestically inside a cave.

Temlpe timings:

The tempple opens at 6 in the morning and stays open till 1 PM. The shrine is again opened at 4PM and is open till 8.30 PM.

Shri Karpaga Vinayagar

The Vinayagar sannidhi (Sanctom Sanctorum) is a cave where the 6 feet Karpaga Vinayagar has been carved inside. As this is a cave formation, there is no provision to go around for the pradakshina.

The inner santom is well illuminated with oil lamps and the whole idol is covered with gold. Its only during the Abhishekam or the holy bath when we get to see the full idol in its pristine glory.

[edit] External links

• Karpaka Vinayakar Temple at Pillayarpatti