Karpaka Vinayakar Temple, Pillayarpatti

The Karpaka Vinayakar Temple at Pillayarpatti, in Sivaganga district, began as a rock-cut cave shrine in the 7th century CE and grew over the following centuries. Inside the cave are carved images of Ganesha, a Shiva linga and a figure variously read as Ardhanarishvara, Harihara or the king who made the shrine, all with unusual iconography. Inscriptions help date the core; one in the sanctum shows features of Tamil Brahmi and early Vatteluttu, suggesting parts may be older still.

The temple is one of the nine clan temples of the Nagarathar community, linked with them in their tradition since 714 CE. Later inscriptions from the 11th to 13th centuries line its walls and halls, and bronze images found during repairs in the late 19th century date to the 11th century. Today a tall, brightly painted gopuram and large decorated mandapams surround the ancient cave.