Pillayarpatti Vinayagar Temple

The early Pandya dynasty ruled southern Tamil Nadu from the 3rd-century BCE, patronizing literature, arts, and religious architecture, including the Karpaka Vinayakar temple. This temple, evolving over 1,400 years, features a 7th-century rock-cut cave attributed to Narasimhavarma. The primary sanctum houses a unique Ganesha with two hands and a right-curved trunk. Nearby, a Shiva sanctum contains a linga and inscriptions in an archaic script. The temple also has a bas-relief interpreted as Ardhanarishwara or Harihara. Later expansions added several shrines and mandapams, with frescoes and areas for various deities, highlighting its historical and architectural significance.

Polla Pillaiyar Temple

Thirunarayur Soundaryeswarar Temple, also known as Polla Pillayar Temple, is located in Cuddalore district, 18 km from Chidambaram. The temple, over 1500 years old, is dedicated to Shri Tripurasundari and Shri Soundaryeswarar. The sthala puranam narrates the story of a stork cursed by Sage Durvasa, which worshipped Lord Shiva with Ganga water, leading to the temple’s name. The temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam with hymns by Sambandar and Appar, and it features a unique Vinayakar idol called Polla Pillayar, meaning uncarved by a chisel. Nambiandar Nambi, a Saivite savant, played a key role in preserving Saivite hymns, with support from Chozha Emperor Rajarajan. The temple also honors Nambiandar Nambi and Rajaraja Chozhan for their contributions.

Sri Achumuri Vinayagar Temple

Three demons—Tharaka, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali—harassed the Devas with their flying fortresses, prompting them to seek Lord Shiva’s help. To defeat the demons, Shiva prepared a grand chariot but forgot to worship Lord Ganesha, leading Ganesha to break the chariot’s axle. Realizing his mistake, Shiva worshipped Ganesha and successfully defeated the demons at Thiruvathigai. This place, Achirupakkam, is named after the broken axle incident. The temple here has two sanctums: Umaiaatcheeswarar (for the King) and Emaiaatcheeswarar (for Sage Trinetradhari). The temple’s Dwarapalakas are the slain demons Tharakan and Vidyunmali. Worship at this temple, especially lighting lamps, is believed to bring power and position to devotees.

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