the new and the old

the first one is the future plan of hindu temples which gives importance to all the three and the second one is the existing plan of hindu temples which gives importance to Lord Shiva alone.

hindu gods and their implications.

the brahma and vishnu also can be given place in future siva temples.
read http://www.ashokha.com page hindu gods.
HINDU GODS
All Hindu Gods are the symbolic representations of various energies,
activities of the day to day life of the human beings. If they are
understood to the inner level true meaning one can find out that all
religions are describing only one thing, the God or the Super soul.
First system:
Lord Siva means Jeeva (the life force). Goddess Sakthi means energy.
The basic meaning is if you are having life you will have energy.
Siva has given His left side to her represents the blood and the heart
is the main source of energy.
His eldest son Ganapathy (meaning the origin of all living beings)
represents the moolathara of the body (the sexual glands). He is
having the elephant head and his vehicle (vahanam) is moonjuru.
(one of the species of rat). It describes that even though He is having
a small vehicle he is doing powerful things. Naturally one can
understand that the sexual organs are the reason for crores and
crores of living beings.
His youngest son Lord Subrahmaniam which means white stones.
(subra means white and mani means round shaped stone). He is
in mountains (places of height). It represents the Penial gland of the
body (which is in the head) (which is in height). Penial gland is white
and is round in shape. One can easily understand that the penial gland is in
height and He symbolically represents the knowledge.
If you wish that your life force and health is important then pray Lord
Siva and Sakthi to get the longevity, health and energy to live in
this world.
Second system:
Lord Vishnu (narayanan) symbolizes the worldly pleasures. Narayanan
means the best man among the human births. His wife Lakshmi (origin for
luxurious) is the goddess for the wealth. He is lying in a bed of Adisheshan
(the old and ancient snake). It is having five heads represent five senses.
If you wish to get the wealth and to live comfortably then pray the
Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

Third system:
Lord Brahma symbolizes wisdom. His wife Saraswathi is the goddess
for knowledge. Both are sitting in a lotus with thousand petals.
(symbolizes the brain (sahasraram). Saraswathy is playing Veena a
musical instrument (represents the knowledge.)
If you wish to get the knowledge then pray Lord Brahma and Saraswathi.

What people has done in due course is they think that knowledge is not
so important as life and wealth they forget the Brahma and Saraswathi.
Brahma and Saraswathi are in the prahar (the path around the sanctum
sanctoriam) of the temples of Siva. One
or two separate temples are there for them now. But now people give
importance to education and knowledge also and they begin to pray
these deities also.

pillaiyarpatti,sivaganga,karaikkudi,

Pillaiyarpatti

Pillaiyarpatti is a small town twelve kilometers from Karaikudi, near Madurai, in the Sivagangi District of Tamil Nadu. The town is named after the Ganesa Temple that adorns it. Here, Lord Ganesa is known as Pillaiyar, Tamil for revered and noble son, and 'Karpaga Vinayakar', Lord who offers his blessings like the celestial tree Kalpaka whose specialty is ' you ask and it will be given'.

This temple is 1,600 years old. It contains fourteen stone inscriptions dated between 400 AD and 1238 AD that reveal that the place was known as 'Ekkattur', 'Thiruveengaikudi', 'Maruthankudi' and 'Raja Narayanapuram' before it became to be called Pillaiyarpatti. An inscription dated 1284 AD, on the right side wall of the Thiruveesar sanctum, suggests that the original name of the Ganesa was 'Desi Vinayaga Pillaiyar',

Pillaiyarpatti Temple is a rock cut temple. The image of Karpaga Vinayakar and that of a Siva Linga were carved out of 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 name in the ' Tamizhi language' which was in use between 2^nd and 5^th century AD. It can concluded that the icon of Karpaga Vinayakar must have been carved around 4^th century AD

Karpaga Vinayakar is one of the oldest Vinayakar images in the world for it has only two arms. The significance of the two arms is that the first god evolved by ancient man was in the shape of man. This male god created out of stone was called Yaksha and the female god was called Yakshi. Later on to show the superiority of god to man the head of the man was removed and in its place a head in the shape of OM was fixed. The OM head was similar to that of an elephant. There are only two images of Vinayakars with two arms in the world. One is at Pillaiyarpatti the other is in Afghanistan. The one at Afghanistan must have been made later, for it is in a standing posture and has a number of ornaments adorning it. The one at Pillaiyarpatti is in a sitting posture mediating. He does not have Modakam (the most favourite sweet of Pillaiyar) but a Siva Linga in his palm. He mediates for the well being of the people and so their prayers are answered immediately.The first notable feature of this Vinayakar is that the trunk of the Lord is turned to the right, which is a rarity like the conch that is turned to the right. Moreover, this Vinayakar is facing north, which is unusual. It is believed that anyone who worships this 'Valampuri Vinayakar facing north' will be blessed with all wealth. The second is that the Temple walls reverberate with Veda mantras recited by students throughout the day. This increases the divine power of the icons to enable them to grant all devotes their requests irrespective of their number.

The Vinayakar here is also called Marudhessrwarar after a holy Marudhum tree inside the temple.
A striking beauty of this temple is the Pasupatheeswarar sculpture where a cow, known as Kaaram Pasu with a black colored tongue and teats, worships Siva by allowing milk to pour on the Siva Linga. The meaning behind this sculpture is that if living beings 'Jeevatmas help one another they will please god 'paramaatma' and attain salvation. Also, worship of this Linga brings prosperity as Kubera, the god of wealth, also worships it.

Next to Pasu Pasupatheeswarar is a sculpture of Naganathar, a five-headed snake encircling a Linga, whose worship is supposed to bring harmony in the family. It teaches that any man who controls his five senses, represented by the five hoods of the snake, can realise god, represented by the Linga.

Of the two Devis, Moodevi (goddess of misfortune) and Sridevi (goddess of good fortune) only the latter is usually worshipped but in Pillaiyarpatti Moodevi or 'Jesta Devi ' (eldest daughter)(actually moodevi and sridevi are sisters. Moodevi comes from the word mooththa devi which means eldest daughter)(it may be happened that the eldest daughter might have a poor life and the youngest daughter sridevi might be very rich and happy as she had married to Lord vishnu himself.) is also worshiped to ward of problems and difficulties in life caused by her.

Another beauty in Pillaiyarpatti is that Saraswathi, goddess of learning, and Durga, goddess of bravery, flank Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, on both sides. Worship of this shrine will grant all three attributes.

One more wonder at Pillaiyarpatti is the 'Growing Linga' in midst of the roots of the Peepal tree near the temple kitchen. When it was consecrated in the olden days, it became covered with earth due to rain and wind. Later on when the roots of the tree began to grow, the Linga became visible and this led people to believe that it was growing.

Unlike any other place we find three Lingas and three Ambals here, namely 'Thiruveesar', 'Marudeesar', and 'Chenchades', and 'Sivakami Amman', 'Vaadamalar Mangai Amman' (ashokha kusumambal) and 'Soundaranayaki Amman'. Devotees visiting this temple will be trebly blessed.

One more feature of this temple is the presence of an image of Karthiyayini Amman, who is supposed to unite in wedlock those women whose marriages have been postponed due to chevvai dosha and other reasons. One can also see the seven forms of Sakthi, namely 'Brami', 'Maheswari', 'Kowmari', 'Vaishnavi', 'Varahi', 'Maahendri' and 'Chamundi' in the south prakaram. The worship of Kongu Natchiamman is a wonder. Though the shrine for this Amman is outside the temple, the urchava moorthy is worshipped daily at Pillaiyarpatti.

The puranic pictures painted on the ceiling of the Alankara Mandapam are hundreds of years old. In one such painting the graceful eyes of Lord Vinayakar are drawn wonderfully well that they look at the devotee wherever he or she stands.

Wonder of wonders is the copper stature of the Nataraja carrying a small metal drum. Equally splendid are the icons of Lord Chandrasekarar and Uma Devi made of Panchaloka.

The worship of Dakshinamoorthy is done in a grand manner in this temple. A special projected shrine from the side wall of the Marudeesar sanctum houses the lord of wisdom. He is seated on a throne supported by six lions, a magnificent sight for devotees.

This temple is one of the nine important temples for Nagarathars. Nagarathars are divided into nine sects depending on the temples they worship. Pillaiyarpatti stands for the major sect of the Nagarathars who are ardent believers of Saiva sidhantha. So they always install 'pathi' and 'pasu' on raised pedestals and lay a prakaram around them at a lower level. The implication is that each life should strive to reach the level of paramaatma. Marudeesar shine at Pillaiyarpatti is no exception to this principle of 'pathi', 'pasu', and 'pasam'.

Vinayakar chathurthi is the most important festival of the temple. The temple has also had five Astapandana Kumbabishekams, the first in 1899 and the fifth in 1992.

The Lord Karpaga Vinayakar, in his yoga state in Pillaiyarpatti, offers his blessings to all his devotees. He propagates silently the principle that living for others brings bliss to us.

The Temple

This is an ancient rock cut temple. Scholars says that Lord Vinayaga is the Lord of wisdom, 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.

The deity of this temple is known as "Marudeeswarar" as Marudha tree (In Sansscrit Arjuna Virutcha,Tne Botanical name is Termanalia Arjuna) worship is followed in this temple which indicates that this temple in an ancient temple. The sculptur 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.

Also adding to the sprituality Goddess Laxmi, Saraswathi and Durgai are found together at the same sport.

Unlike other places the three Lingams Thiruveesar, Marudheesar and Senchadeswarar and the three Goddess Sivagami amman, Vadamalar Mangaiamman (ashokha kusumambal) 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 seperate sannidhi known as Sakthi sannidhi at this temple.

Antiquity: Over 15 inscriptions are found within the temple, that help establish the age of the temple. The Stalapuranam published by the temple classifies the growth of this temple into three distinct stages.

Presiding Deities

Karpaka Vinayakar

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. Scholars 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 to wards 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.

Other Deities

The deity of this temple is known as "Marudeeswarar" as Marudha tree (In Sansscrit Arjuna Virutcha,Tne Botanical name is Termanalia Arjuna) worship is followed in this temple which indicates that this temple in an ancient temple. The sculptur 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 sculplure 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 sprituality Goddess Laxmi, Saraswathi and Durgai are found together at the same sport.

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 seperate sannidhi known as Sakthi sannidhi at this temple.

The Location

Pillayarpatti is situated at a distance of 71Kms from Madurai and 12Kms from Karaikudi on Thirupathoor - Karaikudi state highway.

The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli and Madurai. Chennai Rameswaram Express and Kamban Express travel to these two railheads.

Pooja Timings

Pooja Time
Thiruvanandal Abhishekam	06.00 A.M - 06.30 A.M
Kaalasanthi Abhishekam	08.30 A.M - 09.30 A.M
Uchikalam Abhishekam	11.30 A.M - 12.00 P.M
Maalaisanthi or Sayaratsai	05.00 P.M - 06.30 P.M
Iravusanthi or Arthajaman	07.45 P.M - 08-30 P.M
Those who are interested to perform the Abhishekam may contact the administration well in advance (Contact No: 04577-264240, 264241,264182,264797)
Worship Time	06.00 A.M - 1.00 P.M 04.00 P.M - 8.30 P.M
Sabari malai, Thaipoosam seasons (November to January 20)
	06.00 A.M - 08-30 P.M

Festivals

"VINAYAGAR CHATURTHI" celebrated every year on Aavani is the important festival of this village. This festival is celebrated for 10 days in a grand manner. The festival will begin with Kappukattu and flag hoisting on the first day, cultural programmes are conducted from 6th day onwards. During the day and night, Lord Vinayaga is taken around in procession through the streets where he is seated in different vahanams every day.

First Day Silver Mooshika Vahanam	Second Day Simma Vahanam
Third Day Boodha Vahanam	Fourth Day Kamala Vahanam
Fifth Day Siver Rishaba Vahanam
Sixth Day Silver Elephant Vahanam upto Kajamugasura Samkaram and then in Golden Bandicoot Vahanam``
Seventh Day Silver Peacock Vahanam	Eighth Day Horse Vahanam
Nineth Day
Elephant Vahanam	Car
Tenth Day Theerthavari will be celebrated in the morning during night the Procession of five Lords seated in silver and golden Vahanam will take place About the temple Karpaga Vinayagar koil is one of the oldest Cave Temples (Rock Cut) temples of Tamilnadu and situated at Pillayarpatti, which is between Pudukkottai and Karaikkudi. The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli, Chennai. Rameswaram Express and Kamban Express travel to these two railheads. The town of Pillaiyarpatti is named after 'Pillayar' - the tamil name for Ganesha, and this ancient temple houses rock cut images of Shiva, Lingodbhavar and others as well as several other shrines. Steeped in the tradition of Agamic textsthe temple bears testimony to the vibrant temple culture of the Tamil people, passed down through centuries. Antiquity: Over 15 inscriptions are found within the temple, that help 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. The 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. Scholars 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 to wards 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 Sansscrit Arjuna Virutcha,Tne Botanical name is Termanalia Arjuna) worship is followed in this temple which indicates that this temple in an ancient temple. The sculptur 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 sculplure 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 sprituality Goddess Laxmi, Saraswathi and Durgai are found together at the same sport. 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 seperate sannidhi known as Sakthi sannidhi at this temple. © 2008, Pillayarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar Temple. All Rights Reserved. Designed and Maintained by www.360degreeinfo.com
Home Contact us Tamil version Main Menu The Temple History Presiding Deities Location Transportation Accommodation Pooja Festivals Important days Nagarathar Trust Photo Gallery Nearest tourist spots History This is an ancient rock cut temple. Scholars says that Lord Vinayaga is the Lord of wisdom, 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. The deity of this temple is known as "Marudeeswarar" as Marudha tree (In Sansscrit Arjuna Virutcha, The Botanical name is Termanalia Arjuna) worship is followed in this temple which indicates that this temple in an ancient temple. The sculptur 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. Also adding to the sprituality Goddess Laxmi, Saraswathi and Durgai are found together at the same sport. 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 seperate sannidhi known as Sakthi sannidhi at this temple. Antiquity: Over 15 inscriptions are found within the temple, that help establish the age of the temple. The Stalapuranam published by the temple classifies the growth of this temple into three distinct stages.