Pillaiyarpatti 1600 years old temple

Pillaiyarpatti Lord Ganesh Temple

God of Victory











Karpaga Vinayagar

Pillaiyarpatti temple is a rock - cut temple located about 12 km's from Karaikudi on the Karaikudi Madurai road. It was built after viewing a hillock by the early Pandiya kings and the image of Karpaga Vinayaka and that of a Siva Linga were carved out of a stone by a sculptor called Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan who put his signature on a stone inscription found even today in the sanctum. He put his signature in Tamil Language which was in use between 2nd and 5th century AD. It can be concluded that the icon of Karpaga Vinayaka must have been carved around 4th century AD.

This temple is 1,600 years old. The 15 stone inscriptions found in this temple, dated between 400 AD and 1238 AD reveal that the place was known as Ekkattur Thiruveengaikudi Maruthankudi Raja Narayanapuram before it came to be called Pillaiyarpatti. Vinayak, the God of Victory is the main deity here in the name Karpaga Vinayakar. This temple is the only one in TamilNadu which deserves pride for having a 6 feet rock-cut Vinayak idol. The Thumbikai of Lord Ganesh is curled towards his right side and so the God is also known as Valampuri Vinayakar. The larger inner shrine with its splendid sculptures make the people wonder on the first sight.

Besides this Ganesh image, there are many other images of deities carved out of rocks. One of them is Thiruveesar, a Siva Lingam. Other gods presiding in this temple are Marudankudi Eesar and Vaadaamalar Mangai. Every day five poojas are offered to the God.
In front of the temple is a large beautiful teppakulam(tank) and it serves the water needs of the temple devasthanam. The temple has two splendid Rajagopurams. There are many inscriptions found in this temple which tell us the history of this ancient architecture.
The festivals Ganesh Chathurthi & Karthigai are celebrated here in a grand manner. Ganesh Chathurthi is celebrated as ten days festival with flag hoisting. During this festive season, Lord Ganesh is taken on a procession in his Mooshika Vahana. The Car festival on the 9th day and Theerthavari on the 10th day draws millions of people from all over the nation and the State Government arranges for special buses every year. 'Thiruvaathirai' is also celebrated here in the Tamil month of Margazhi.

Antiquity: Over 15 inscriptions are found within the temple, that helps establish the age 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 Vinayakar and Tiruveesar came into being. The uniqueness of the image of Ganesha 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.
he Pallavas were prolific builders of rock cut temples (Mahabalipuram, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Mandakapattu, Seeyamangalam, Namakkal, Tiruchi, Nartamalai, Kudumiyanmalai, Tirukkokarnam, Tirumeyyam, Peraiyur, Malayadipatti, Tirukolakkudi, Kunrakkudi etc.). 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.

Deities:
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. This 6 feet tall mammoth image of Ganesha is a bas relief in an excavated cave, off of a hill in the precincts of the temple. A scholar says that Lord Vinayaga is the Lord of wisdom, which is confirmed by the head of elephant in the shape of sacred mantram "OM". When we draw a line from the broken left tusk, starting upward, then turning left towards right ear and after passing through the bended left tusk up to the tip of trunk, Tamil alphabet "O" appears. The Lingam in the hand indicates the alphabet "M". Together they form "OM". This is confirmed by the lord here "Valamburi Pillayar". As Vinayagar satisfies the wishes of his devotees like Karpagam tree, he is also known "Karpaga Vinayagar".
Here Lord Vinayaga appears with 2 hands unlike in other places where he is seen with 4 hands. Also he is seen seated without Angusapasam, with his legs folded and stomach not touching the Asanam in the form of "Artha Padma" Asanam.
The word Vinayaga means "Incomparable Leader" Devotees worshipping Valamburi Vinayagar seated facing towards north, will be blessed with all wealth. Chanting of sacred mantrams by the student learning Vedas and agamas in the Vedaagama School create a divine atmosphere.

The deity of this temple is known as "Marudeeswarar" as Marudha tree (In Sanskrit Arjuna Virutcha,The Botanical name is Termanalia Arjuna) worship is followed in this temple which indicates that this temple in an ancient temple. The sculpture of pasupatheeswarar, "A cow worshipping Lord Siva by offering his milk" is the special feature of this temple. Also kubheran the Lord of wealth had worshipped at this temple.

To illustrate the information that one where controls his five senses will be able to understand God, a sculpture of five headed snake wearing a Lingam on its neck is found here. The five head of the snake indicate the five senses while the Lingam indicates God. Also adding to the spirituality Goddess Laxmi, Saraswathi and Durgai are found together at the same place.

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.

It is believed that by worshipping Kathyayini amman at this temple women get relived from sevvai dosham which prevent them from getting married. "Sabda Madhar" whom importance due to changing time are provided with a separate sannidhi known as Sakthi sannidhi at this temple.

Pooja Timing 1. Thiruvanandal - 06.00 A.M - 06.30 A.M 2. Kaalasanthi - 08.30 A.M - 09.30 A.M 3. Uchikalam - 11.30 A.M - 12.00 P.M 4. Maalaisanthi or Sayaratsai - 05.00 P.M - 06.30 P.M 5. Iravusanthi or Arthajaman - 07-45 P.M - 08-30 P.M
Worship Time
From 06.00 A.M - 1.00 P.M
From 04.00 P.M - 8.30 P.M

TIRUVANNAMALAI capital of Saivism.

Tiruvannamalai capital of Saivism.

Tiruvannamalai is an ancient city named after the holy mountain "Tiruvannan Malai".
Geologist consider this mountain is older than The Himalayas. The history of Tiruvannamalai Can be tracked from B.C 100 Tamil Sangam age. The foundation of Arunachala temple has been laid by Chola king Vijalaya Chozan And the contributions have been extended by continuous kingdom and people.
Under the Hoysala King Vallalan this town flourished among the spiritual seekers and become famous south Indian spiritual pilgrimage site. Local Deepam festival is world famous, this festival take place every year of Tamil month Karthigai and celebrated for the period of 13 days.

.This city is full of spiritual ashram built by many holy men and enlightenment gurus. Seshadri Swamigal, Ramana Maharishi and Yogi Ramsuratkumar are some of them who lived attained eternity from Tiruvannamalai.
Visitors all around the world travel to this city during the month of November and December.

Thiruvannamalai - Annamalaiannal

The Saiva cult is a world phenomenon. Thiruvannamalai is the capital of Saivism. The South Indian eity Siva is the God of all countries. Annamalaiannal is the most sacred of the names of the manifestation of Lord Siva.

Lord Arunachaleswarar at this place gives salvation to all souls .

The Creator Lord Bramha and Protector Lord Thirumal entered into a controversy Among themselves so as to ascertain who was the greatest.
Lord Siva was asked to be the judge. Lord Siva told them that Whoever was able to see his crown as well as his feet would be termed as the greatest.
Then Lord Siva transformed himself into a Jothi (a column of fire) touching the heaven and earth. Thirumal took the avatar of varaha (wild boar) and dug deep into the earthto find Siva's feet but at last accepted defeat. Bramha took the form of a swan and flew to see the crown of Siva. Unable to see the crown, Bramha saw a thazhambu flower which had decked Siva's crown falling down. He asked the flower as to the distance of Siva's crown whereby the flower replied that he had been falling for forty thousand years. Bramha, realizing that he would not be able to reach the crown asked the flower to act as a false witness.

The thazhambu flower acting as a false witness declared that Brahma had seen the crown. Siva became angry at the deception and cursed that Bramha should have no temple on earth and that the thazhambu flower should not be used while praying to Lord Siva. The place where Lord Siva stood as a column of fire to eliminate the ego is Thiruvannamalai. The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Krithayugam, was Manikkam (Emerald) during Threthayugam, and was pon (Gold) during Dwaprayugam and rock during Kaliyugam as per the ancient legends. On the request of Thirumal and Bramha by their devout prayer, Siva who was in the form of a fire column took the form of a Sivalingam at the foot of the hill where the Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Temple is located

Thiruvannamalai has the honor of providing an abode for saints such as Arunagirinathar, Vitpatchathevar, Gugai Namachivayar, Guru Namachivayar, Deivasigamani, Arunachala Desikar, Mahan Seshadri Swamigal, Bagawan Ramana Maharishi, Sri Yogi Ram Surathkumar and the like.

Thiruvannamalai has been the abode of Siddhars. Idaikkattu Siddhar, one of the eighteen Siddhars, belongs to this sacred soil.

The Significance of Girivalam (Circumambulation)

In most of the holy places the Deity is found atop the hill. But here the Holy hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and is worshipped. "Arunam" means sun and denotes the red colour of fire. "Asalam" means "Giri" or "malai" (mountain). Thus "Arunachalam" means the Holy hill which is red in colour. The Holy hill is 2668 fi. high. he Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, was Manikkam (Emerald) during Threthayugam, and was Pon (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam. There are eight lingams located at the eight directions and provides an octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai Town. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai Temple glorified in
Dhevaram is located on this path. The circumambulation path is 14 kilometers. History has it that even today a number of siddhars are living on the hill. It is auspicious to perform "Girilvalam" during every Full moon day which would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhars movement would be there and the whole atmosphere would be filled with perfumes of herbal plants. This will provide peace of mind and good health to body. It is a proven fact that on every Full moon day lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill and get all benefits by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar .

Significance of Worshipping Asta Lingams in Girivalam

1. Indra Lingam
   East
   Lord Indiran, the king of Celestials
   Sun and Sukiran
   Long life and fame
2. Agni Lingam
   South East
   Lord Agni (God of Fire)
   Chandran (Moon)
   Relief from diseases and fear
   
3. Yama Lingam
   South
   Yama, God of Death
   Sevvai
   Longevity of life span
   
4. Niruthilingam
   South West
   Niruthi, the king of giants
   Raghu
   Health, Wealth and Fame. Issueless can get children.
   
5. Varunalingam
   West
   Varuna, the God of Rain
   Sani (Saturn)
   Relief from illnessEspecially water related diseases
   
6. Vayulingam
   North West
   Vayu the God of air
   Kedhu
   Relief from illness especially the heart diseases, breathing and stomach problems
   
7. Kupera Lingam
   North
   Kuperan, the God of Wealth
   Guru
   Wealth and improvement in life status
   
8. Easanya Lingam
   North East
   Easanyan
   Budhan
   Peace of mind
   

Arthanareeswarar

Lord Siva's wife Goddess Umadevi once playfully closed His eyes which plunged the world into darkness. All living beings suffered in the dark. To absolve herse of this sin Mother Umadevi created a Sivalingam out of sand and worshipped at Kancheepuram. At that instance, Lord Siva ordered her to proceed to Thiruvannamalai and do penance so that she could get half of His body. Likewise Mother Parvathi did penance at Pavalakundru with the help of Saint Gowthama. A demon called Makidasuran disturbed the penance of Mother Parvathi. The Mother took the form of goddess Durga Devi and destroyed him on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Karthigai during the auspicious period of pradosham. Lord Siva presented himself in the form of Fire atop the hill and merged Goddess Parvathi on the left half of his body.
To commemorate this event, every year during the Tamil month of Karthigai in Kiruthigai Star, exactly at 6.00 p.m. Arthanareeswaramurthi presents himself as Jyothi Swaroopa to his devotees at the time of Karthigai Festival 10th day.













Deepam

Temple plan