Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in Tamilnadu State -1 at 5:39 PM

Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in  Tamilnadu State

Karpaka Vinayakar Temple, Thirupatthur

 

Pillaiyar patti Pillaiyar temple is an ancient rock-cut cave shrine dedicated to Ganesha, located at Thiruppatthur (1 km from Thiruppatthur bus stand or Thiruppatthur Thiruthalli Nathar Temple (One of the Thevera temples  Sivaganga district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
In the cave temple, there are rock cut images of Siva and other gods as well as several shrines. The Agama texts found on stones in the temple help date the temple between the years 1091 and 1238. A unique Tamil image of Pillaiyar found in the temple helps to verify this dating. The presiding deity of the temple is Karpaka Vinayakar or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar. 
As of 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 come to the temple for the worship of Pillayar, the Lord of Wisdom.
The Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chaturthi festival, is celebrated for 10 days in a grand manner every year during the months of August and September.  During that time, great numbers of pilgrims gather and participate in the Car Festival. Like all Shaivite temples, Pillayarpatti temple also has Lord Shiva as its presiding deity. The lord's name is Arjunapureeswarar. This temple is most famous for the rock cut Vinayagar (Ganesha) sitting majestically inside a cave.
Temple timings:
The temple 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 of Karpaga Vinayagar has been carved inside. As this is a cave formation, there is no provision to go around for the pradakshina. The inner sanctum is well illuminated with oil lamps and the whole idol is covered with gold. It is only during the Abhishekam, or the holy bath, when one can see the full idol in its pristine glory

 

Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple Of Pillaiyarpatti, Thiruppatthur (Sivagangai District)

Pillaiyarpatti is located near Thiruppathur, Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu. It is situated between Kundrakkudi and Tiruppatthur. Pilliyarpatti is 12 Kilometers away from Thiruppatthur and 3 kilometers from Kundrakkudi. Pillaiyarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar is carved out in a cave of Pillaiyarpatti Hillocks. Lord Vinayagar is carved out from the rock of the cave. Lord Thiruveesar is also carved in the rock of this cave. The temple was built under patronisation of Pandyas. The age of the cave temple is 2500 years or more. There are 14 stone Sculptures in the cave ( dated from 500 BC to 1284 AD ). These stone Sculptures state the ancient names of Pillaiyarpatti such as Ekkattoor, Thiruveenkaikkudi, Maruthangudi, and Rajanarayanapuram.
Pillaiyarpatti temple is a rock-cut temple located in Thiruppatthur, Sivagangai District. It was built after viewing a hillock by the early Pandiya kings. The image of Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar and that of a Siva Lingam were carved out of a stone by a sculptor named Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan who put his signature on a stone inscription, in Tamil Language used between the 2nd and 5th century AD, found even today in the sanctum. It can be concluded that the icon of Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar must have been carved around 4th century AD.
Pillaiyar (Vinayagar), the God of Victory is the main deity here in the name, Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar.
This temple is the only one in Tamil Nadu which contains a 6 feet rock-cut Pillaiyar idol. The Thumbikai of Lord Pillaiyar is curled towards his right side and so the God is also known as Valampuri Pillaiyar. The chettiyar (nagarathar) community has kept the temple clean. Chettiars are the only community now whose subcastes are divided based on Sivan Temples. e.g. subcastes like Pillayarpatti, Elayatrankudi and etc.

• Vinayagar’s trunk is curved at the right side (Valampuri Vinayagar) which is also a unique feature. Lord Karpaga Vinayagar is seated facing northern side.
• There are deities in this temple such as goddess Karthiyayini (who arrange marriages), Nagalingam (who gifts offspring), Pasupatheeswarar (who showers all wealth).
• Vinayagar Chathurthi is this temple's most important festival. It is 10 days long. Kappaukkattutual and hoisting temple flag begin before 9 days. On the 9th day car festival and much celebrated decoration of sandal covering ( Santha-na-kkappu) to Pillaiyar takes place.
• Devotees who observe Chathurthi Fast for a year come to Pillaiyarpatti on Avani Sukkilaptcha Chathurthi day (Festival) and fulfills it. They observe fast on Chathurthi day in front of vinayagar sannaidhi and take part in “ KumnaJebam” and receive holy pot of chanted holy water.

Thiruppatthur Pillaiyar Patti --- Location and Transport Facilities

Rail and Road Networks

By Rail

From Tiruchirappalli, there are four Daily Trains passing through Karaikudi, which Starts from Chennai and goes up to Ramaeshwaram.

• Train No. 16101 / 16102 --- Chennai Egmore --- Tiruchirappalli --- Karikudi --- Rameshwaram
• Train No. 16713 / 16714 --- Chennai Egmore --- Tiruchirappalli --- Karikudi --- Rameshwaram
• Train no. 56830 /56829 Tiruchchirapalli Rameswaram Passenger
• Train no. 76830/76831 Tiruchchirapalli Karaikkudi Passenger

Further from Karaikudi, we can reach Pillaiyar Patti by Bus, which is just 12 km away from Karaikudi.

By Road

• From Madurai to Pilliarpatti via Tirupputtur there are frequent buses. 75 km from Madurai
• From Trichy to Pillarpatti via Tiruputtur 112 km
• From Chennai to Pillayarpatti there are semi sleeper luxury buses being run by CT.S.Travels & Tours, which will drop you at straight at the temple and pick u back in the evening for your travel back to chennai. For more visit  

• The National Highway NH-210 --- Trichy to Ramanathapuram goes via Pudukkottai and Karaikudi. The distance from Trichy to Karaikudi is 103 km and from there another 12 km to Pillaiyar Patti.

• Alternatively, the National Highway, NH-226 --- Perambalur to Manamadurai goes via Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Tiruppattur and Sivaganga.

A road connecting 2 National Highways (NH-210 and NH-226) and State Highway (SH-35), passes through Pillaiyar Patti, which further connects them at Tirupattur.

Thiruppatthur Nearby Tourist Places

• Thirupputhur - Thiruthali Nathar,Yoga Bairavar Koil (Thirupputthur Periya koil) one of the Thevara Temple (2000 yrs old)
• Thirupputhur - Thiruppathur Pillaiyar patti Temple (12 km from Tirupputthur bus stand)
• Kundrakudi --- Murugan Temple (15 kilometers from Thirupputthur)
• Kaliyar Kovil --- Shiva Temple (13 kilometers from Thirupputthur)
• Thirukoshtiyur - Historic Perumal Temple featured in the hymns of Azhwars (6 kilometers from Thiruppatthur)
• Vairavanpatty --- Valarolinathar (Near Pillaiyar patti11 km from Tirupputtur)
• Pattamangalam ___ Astamasithi Thtchinamoorthy Temple ( 8 km from Tirupputtur)
• Piranmalai --- Mangai Pagar Temple (22 km from Tirupputtur)

 

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                              

(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )