Karpaga Vinayagar Temple - Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar Temple

The Karpaga Vinayagar temple in Pillaiyarpatti is among the most established rock cut type architecture, given in temples of Tamil Nadu. It is located at Pillayarpatti of Sivagangai district. It was built after hewing a hillock by the early Pandya kings and the image of Karpaga Vinayaga and that of a Shiva lingam were carved out of a stone by a sculptor called ‘Ekattur Koon Peruparanan’, who put his signature on a stone inscription in Tamil language which was in use between 2nd and 5th century AD. Though Pallava emperors were well versed in rock cut architecture, it was the Pandya emperors to replicate those features in this temple. It can be concluded that the icon of Karpaga Vinayaga must have been carved somewhere around the 4th century AD.

The 14 stone inscriptions found in this temple dated between 400 AD and 1238 AD reveal that the place was known as Ekattur. Ganesha, the God of victory is the main deity here in the name Karpaga Vinayagar. This temple is the only one in TamilNadu which deserves pride for having a 6 feet rock cut Ganesh idol. Here, Lord Vinayaka shows up with two hands not at all like alternate pictures in India which have 4 hands. The larger inner shrine with its splendid sculptures make the people wonder at first sight. The maintenance of the temple premises is also a major reason for drawing people here and all the glory belongs to the Chettiar community who have renovated the entire temple and taken care of it.