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.
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.
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.
Tiruveesar is a Shiva Lingam carved in a similar manner. Other deities in the temple
include Marudankudi Eesar and his consort Vaadaamalar Mangai.
Antiquity: 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 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.
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.
Worship
Protocol: Each day, five worship services are offered
to the presiding deity, commencing at 6 AM , and closing down at 9 PM. During the fourth
phase of each lunar half month, Pillayar is taken in procession around the temple.
Hundreds of pilgrims patronize the temple on these days.
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. 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).
Nearby
Attractions: Pudukkottai
houses the Gokarneswarar Temple, and Kunnakkudi houses the hill
temple of Shanmukhanathar.
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