Located between Kunnakudi and Thirupathur in the state of Tamil Nadu is very famous temple dedicated to lord Ganesha known as Karpaga Vinayakar temple and this temple is visited by many devotees is well known. Along with Tiruvidaimarudur in Tirunelveli, Thiruvudai Maruthur in Thanjavur, Srisailam in AP this Pillayarpatti temple is one of the four arjuna kshetras.
It is interesting to note that this temple is rock cut cave temple and Lord Ganesha here is considered very powerful. Presiding deity is Lord Shiva and he is known as Lord Arjunapureeswarar.
This temple was built between the years 1091 and 1238 and Agama texts present on the stones of this temple confirms it. People visiting would be surprised to see as many as 14 stone sculptures in the cave.
It is really superb that this temple has got 6 feet rock cut pillayar deity and in this regard this temple is the one and only one in Tamil Nadu. The Lord Vinayakar here is called as Valampuri Vinayakar because his trunk or thumbikai is seen curled to his right side. The Lord Vinayakar is seated facing north side.
Apart from the main deity Lord Vinayakar this temple also has got other deities such as Karthiyayini, Nagalingam plus Pasupatheeswarar and people pray these deities also to get their wishes fulfilled.
One important piece of informations about this temple is Goddes Lakshmi, Goddess saraswathi and Goddess Durga are found together
In this amazing temple Vinayakar Chathurthi festival is celebrated superbly for ten days and during this festival people from all over come for the darshan of Lord Vinayakar. There is a chariot procession on the ninth day of this festival and it is superb.
Nagarathars or people belonging to chettiyar community are involved in the maintenance of this temple is well known.
This Karpaga Vinayagar temple is daily opened from morning 6 am to 1 pm and then from 4 pm till 8:30 pm in the evening.