Karpaga Vinayagar Of Pillaiyarpatti

Pillaiyarpatti ,located about 12 km’s from Karaikudi in Chettinad ,on the Karaikudi-Madurai road.has a famous rock – cut temple. The early Pandya kings built it by hewing a hillock and the 6ft ,2 handed,image of Karpaga Vinayagar is carved out of a single stone by a sculptor called Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan who put his signature on a stone inscription found even today in the sanctum. The signature is in a Tamil script which was in use between 2nd and 5th century AD,hence it is believed that the statue of Karpaga Vinayagar must have been carved around 4th century AD.So this temple is 1,600 years old. The 14 stone inscriptions found in this temple, dated between 400 AD and 1238 AD reveal that the place was known as  Ekkattoor, Thiruveenkaikkudi, Maruthangudi, andRajanarayanapuram , before it came to be called Pillaiyarpatti.

Vinayak, the God of Victory is the main deity here and is locally known by the name of Karpaga Vinayagar. As the trunk of of Lord Ganesh is curled towards his right side he is a Valamburi Vinayagar and believed to be a powerful deity who makes devotees wishes come true.As Vinayagar satisfies the wishes of his devotees like the Karpagam tree, he is also known as “Karpaga Vinayagar”.Lord Karpaga Vinayagar is seated facing north.As it is commonly believed that devotees worshiping a Valamburi Vinayagar seated facing  north, will be blessed with all wealth,this temple is very popular with all those who would be wealthy. Read more of this post