Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Temple - Pillayarpatti

Pillayarpatti is located at Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu state. It is next to it is on the way  to Tirupattur kunrakkuti from Karaikudi. Today the town is pillaiyarpatti known for all peopl but it was previously called as , 1. Ekkattur erukattur or, 2. Marutankuti, 3. Tiruvinkaikuti, 4. Tiruvinkaicvaram, 5. Iracanarayanapuram that has five other names. Marutankur, tenmarutur, kanecapuram, kanecamanakara. such names are found in the later inscriptions.

This is a large temple with two raja gopuram. And it seems tiruppani has been occurred four times in this temple.

As this is kutaivarai temple (Rock cut temple) we ran the first part of temple. And between the four pillars of the hall is a double hall. In the bottom of the hill on the forehead towards facing the 6 feet tall Ganesha karpaka vinayagar is located..  In the south west towards the forehead Sankara narayana and Garuda is seen on two sides...

Slightly west of north and south from there on north side can be seen  "linkothpavar murti." This is the largest kutaivarai temple for vinayakar (God of Wisdom) and this ancient temple built was built by Mahendra Pallava in 1600 A.D. This temple iis currently owned by Nakarattar (Trust).

Lord Ganesh is called as Man of wisdom. When you notice his face keenly, you could see the  "Om" sign…

Something Special about “Karpaga Vinayagar - Pillayarpatti”:

1. 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.

2. This 6 feet tall mammoth image of Ganesha is a bas relief in an excavated cave.

3. Unlike other places the three Lingams Thiruveesar, Marudheesar and Senchadeswarar and the three Goddess Sivagami amman, Vadamalar Mangaiamman and Soundara Nayaga amman all appear together at the same place and bless the devotees.

4.Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar is having only 2 hands which is a special feature.

5.From the history of divine architecture and from stone sculptures and from the available documentary evidence Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar figure alone is the first Pillaiyar in the world.

This is one of the temple which follows the festivals in grand manner and The great and grand of festivals is Ganesh Chaturti in the month of Aug - September, where a ten day celebration makes much devotees 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 slated 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).

Temple Timing :

Every day, five worship services are offered to the presiding deity and temple will open at 6 AM , and close 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.

Contact Info :

Sivagangai District
Tamil Nadu State

Phones: 04577-264240, 264241

e-mail  :,