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The town of Pillaiyarpatti is named after 'Pillayar' - the
Tamil name for Ganesh, and the Karpaka Vinayaka (also spelt as Vinayak)
temple here houses rock cut images of Ganesh, Lord Shiva and several other
shrines. The image of Ganesh is bound to be familiar to anyone of Tamil
origin; however, little is known to many about the fact that there is an
image of the rock cut Karpaka Vinayaka Shrine at Pillayarpatti near
Karaikkudi at one of the oldest cave temples (rock-cut) of Tamil
Nadu. Pillaiyarpatti is situated between Pudukkottai
and Karaikkudi.
The Deities
Karpaka Vinayaka or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar is the presiding deity here.
Like the Karpaga Vriksham, which bestows all prosperity, praying to this
idol will shower all good. He faces north, which is said to be the
direction of Kubera, He is portrayed with two arms and a trunk curled
towards his right in the valampuri mode. This 6 feet tall mammoth image of
Ganesh is a bas-relief in an excavated cave, off of a hill in the
precincts of the temple. Tiruveesar is a Shiva Linga carved in a similar
manner. Other deities in the temple include Marudankudi Eesar and his
consort Vaadaamalar Mangai.
The Growth 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 Vinayaka and Tiruveesar came into being. The uniqueness of
the image of Ganesh 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 and 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 Services
Each day, five worship services are offered to the presiding deity,
commencing at 6.00 a.m. and closing down at 9.00 p.m. 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.
Festivities
The grandest of festivals is Ganesh Chaturti in the month of August -
September, where a ten-day celebration brings much gaiety to this temple
town. Each day's celebration is marked by many splendors as Pillayar is
taken in procession around the town on several of his mounts, as are the
other Pancha Murtis. 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 honour of Kongu Nachiyamman, a village deity whose processional
image is also housed here. The Margazhi Tiruvadirai festival is celebrated
in honor of Nataraja and Shivakami.
Rail:The nearest railway stations are at Karaikkudi
and Pudukkottai and from these stations
there are regular buses to Pillaiyarpatti.
Road: Pillaiyarpatti is well connected by road with the major
towns and cities of the state.
Accommodation is available at the economy class hotels and lodges in Karaikkudi or Pudukkottai.