File:Karpaka Vinayakar temple, Pillayarpatti Pillayar Koil, Tiruppathur Tamil Nadu - 23.jpg

English: About mid 7th-century, a rock cut shrine was carved into the hill of Pillayarpatti village. Dedicated to Ganesha (locally called Desi Vinayaka Pillayar), the rock-cut temple has three significant carvings – one of Ganesha on the south wall and facing north, second of Thiruveesar (Shiva linga) on the west wall facing east, third of Ardhanarishwara (half Shiva, half Parvati) between the two. The temple was expanded by various dynasties, particularly after the 13th-century through the 18th-century.

The temple is among those where artwork has survived without damage from Hindu-Muslim religious wars in the Madurai region after the 13th-century. It has frescoes, which have been restored.

The temple is notable for portions which belong to the 7th-century, in particular its iconography. Ganesha is two handed, his trunk turns to his right, and he holds sweets in his right hand, for example.

The Ardhanariswara carving is also unusual, with two hands and the left Parvati side wearing the crown of Vishnu (she is considered Vishnu's sister) but without their Vahana and other expected iconographic features. The Ardhanarishwara has several features that appear like those of Harihara (half-Shiva, half-Vishnu), but the left side depicts conspicuous feminine features (waist, breast). The carving also shows two attendants to the side. Given neither half of this carving hold their characteristic icons in their hands, it is difficult to state that this is Harihara or Ardhanarisvara.

The sanctum has a separate Harihara carving, as well.

The temple has 7th-century inscriptions, where Ganesha is called "Desivinayakar". Another inscription found in the left side of the sanctum of this temple is unusual from paleographic perspective. It is archaic, older than the 7th-century by a few centuries, closer in some aspects to Tamil Brahmi but with Vatteluttu features. It reads "Ikkatturu, Kotturu, Ainjan". Thus, this temple may have more ancient roots.