Majestic Temples of India

Pillayarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar Temple  Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu One of oldest Cave Temples (Rock Cut) of Tamilnadu situated near Karaikudi. Pillayar' is the tamil name for Ganesha. Shri Karpaga Vinayagar Sannidhi is a cave where the 6 feet of Vinayagar has been carved.  There is no provision for the pradakshinam. Vinayaga appears with 2 hands unlike in other places where he is seen with 4 hands. Pillaiyar's Thumbikai (trunk) is curled towards his right side & ganesha is also known as Valampuri Pillaiyar. It is believed that worshipping Valampuri Vinayagar who is seated facing north are blessed with prosperity. There are three Lingams - Thiruveeswarar, Marudheeswarar & Senchadeswarar and Mata Sivagami amman, Vadamalar Mangaiamman & Soundara Nayaga Amman all appear together at the same place & bless the devotees. Sapta Matrukkal namely Brahmi, Maheswari, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Maahendri & Chamundi are in the south prakaram.  Om Vigneswaraya Namah

Vinayaka Chaturthi   ऊँ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि   तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात्।  ऊँ Ganesha is the remover of all difficulties, all Vignas.  Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival celebrating arrival of Shri Ganesha. The Chaturthi after Amavasya during Shukla Paksha is celebrated as Vinayaka Chaturthi. Amavasya during Shukla Paksha is celebrated as Vinayaka Chaturthi.  Parvathi Devi made Ganesha using turmeric paste to guard the entrance while she went to bath. Paramashiva arrived at the entrance but Ganesha didn't allow Shiva to pass through. This angered Mahadev and he severed Ganesha’s head. When Parvati heard this, she was heartbroken. Seeing Devi's grief Mahedev promised to bring back Ganesha and instructed Bhootaganas to find a proper head. But they found only head of an elephant. That is how Ganesha came back to life with the head of an elephant. Ganesha’s Vigraham is brought home and poojas are done for 10 days. On Anant Ch...