Travel To Pondicherry

Pondicherry Maps

Temples- Pondicherry
Pondicherry has been a settled city for hundreds of years. Though the temples of Thanjavvur and Chidambaram are better known than Pondy. But the temples here are equally beautiful. devotes visit the temples in hundreds and seek blessings while giving offerings.

Manakula Vinayagar Koil
The temple is more than 300 years old and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is invoked and his blessings are sought before any new work or puja is started. In this temple the walls depict forty different forms of Ganeshas. The temple also has a golden spire.

Within the same temple, there is a smaller shrine that is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the younger brother of Lord Ganesha.

Its estimated that 5000 devotees visit the shrine everyday. Lakshmi the female elephant also stand here and devotes iffer her coins while she gives them blessings.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple
This is believed to be the oldest temple in Pondy and dates back to 600AD. The temple has been built in Dravidian style and has a very brightly colored gopuram. This is also one of the oldest standing structures in Pondicherry. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is known as the preserver of the Universe. There’s another shrine here which is dedicated To Lord Narsimha (half animal – half man), who is known to be an avatar (another form) of Lord Vishnu. According to legend, the temple originally had idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman.

Vedhapureeswarar Temple
The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva nd has a brightly colored gopuram. It’s also known as Eashwaran Koil and is located on MG Road. The Gopuram is adorned with gods and goddesses as is customary in south Indian temples.

Kanniga Parameswari Temple
The temple is unique as its architecture is a mix of Tamil and French influences. It’s dedicated to Goddess Shakti. With angel representations, stained glasses and arched walls, the temple looks very French, but the interiors are more Tamil looking.

Kamatchiamman Temple
The temple stands out from all temples and in fact from all the temples in South India. Its starkness makes it stand out. It also lacks color unlike rest of the temples that are located here. It’s dedicated to Goddess Durga and is rust colored.

Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple
The temple is located in a small town called Villaianur and dates back to 12th century Chola period. It has some French traditions also attached to it. In the annual temple car festival when a chariot was pulled by the devotees, the Governor of Pondicherry also took part in pulling the chariot. The tradition continues till date with the Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry doing the same.