Temples

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Temples

Temples:

There are several temples in Pondicherry that were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries. Most of them are dedicated to the local goddesses of the villages where they were constructed. There are also quite a few temples dedicated to Lord Vinayaka or Ganapathy. The Varadaraja temple, built sometime in the 12th century, has inscriptions which tell of a Sanskrit university that existed at Thirubhuvanam. The Manakula Vinayaka temple is also very popular with both the locals and visitors for it is believed that Lord Ganapathy, the presiding deity, favours his devotees with success in whatever they do. The Masi Magam festival held during the full moon day of Tamil month of Masi(February-March) attracts a large number of devotees.

Manakula Vinayagar temple:

This temple is more than 300 years old and is dedicated to Ganesha. It has a

golden spire and walls portraying forty different forms of Ganesha. The temple also has a smaller shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan, who is Ganesha’s younger brother. Over 5000 devotees flock to this site everyday. The temple compound also plays host to ‘Lakshmi’, the temple elephant, who uses her trunk to dispense blessinga

Varadaraja Perumal Temple :

Located on M.G.Road, this is believed to be the oldest temple in town, dating back to 600 AD. The temple built in the typical Dravidian style, complete with brightly coloured ‘gopuram’ and sculpted pillars, is probably the oldest standing structure in puducherry. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu. Legend has it, that the temple was originally built for the idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, which were brought to the present site by fishermen, from the sea. The main deity here is Venkatachalapathy (Vishnu). Right behind that is a separate shrine for Narashima (who is also an avatar of Vishnu).

Vedhapureeswarar Temple :

This temple also known as the Eashwaran koil, is located on M.G.Road and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has colourful ‘gopuram’, adorned by the statues of gods and goddesses, like most temples in South India.

Kanniga Parameswari Temple :

This temple, dedicated to the godess Shakti is unique as it seems to be strongly influenced by the French architectural style. Located on M.G.Road, it has an unusual blend of both Tamil and French architecture. With its arched walls, ionic columns, stained glass windows and even some angel decorations, it is reminiscent of a French building. However, the inner ceiling supported by the more traditional granite pillars and the sanctum sanctoram, which has a typical Tamil design, highlights the more traditional Tamil features.

Kamatchiamman Temple :

Located on Bharathi Street, this temple is different from most other South Indian temples by virtue of its lack of colour and ornamentation. Its starkness is what makes it stand out from the rest. This dark rust coloured temple is dedicated to Durga, the goddess of war.

Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple :

This is located in a small town called ‘Villianur’, 11 kms. from puducherry. The main shrine housing the ‘Shivlinga’ and the shrines dedicated to the Devi and Murugan date back to the 12th century Chola period. This temple has a little bit of French heritage attached to it, though not in its architecture, but in some of its traditions. The annual Temple Car Festival which is held in the months of May and June, involves the pulling of a 15 metre tall chariot through the streets by a large crowd of devotees.

During French colonial rule, the Governor of puducherry used to join this very procession and actively participate in the drawing of the chariot through the streets. This tradition lives on with the present Lieutenant Governor of puducherry participating in the festival now.

Panchavadi:

Panchavadi temple lies in between Tindivanam and Pondicherry main road, Exactly near Thiruchitrambalam Cross Road, one of the tallest anjaneyar statue in the world is erected here only.If you move from Tindivanam to pondicherry you may find the temple Panchavatee at 29th kilometer. From pondicherry towards Tindivanam road its only 9 km ahead. The Pachamuga Anjaneya temple at Panchavatee is known for bestowing better health to the devotees. The idol of the central image is 36 feet in height making it one of its own kind. The idol is believed to have special power and is considered a healer.The Temple has indeed become a landmark and no tourist bus in that route skips the Temple. The Temple is accessible by road NH 45A

This vision of Pachamuga Anjaneya with five faces – his own in the centre, surrounded by Garuda, Hayagreeva, Narasimha and Varaha. Hayagreeva is the horse form of Lord Vishnu, Narasimha the lion and Varaha the boar. In consonance with Hanuman and Garuda, surely, the most mighty manifestation of the godly.

Prathyankara temple:

Prathyankara Temple lies inbetween the Pondicherry and Chennai main road. To reach the temple we have to getdown at Moratandi, Just after the Thiruchitrambalam Cross Road stop, please remind your conductor to getdown there if you move thro bus from Chennai.

72 Feet Idol :

We can able to see the idol of prathyankara amman, before you reach the temple. The village sandy en route is replicated in miniature at the foot of the shrine, where there are numerous small shops selling pictures of Prathyankara, other idols, devotional cassettes and bric-a-brac. Small lingas and other objects made of ceramic are a unique craft belonging to this area.

According to the puranas, Prathyankara Devi emerged from the third eye of Sarabeswarar, a manifestation of Lord Siva, with 1,000 faces of lions, 1,000 hands and with a blood-stained protruding tongue, a frightening form indeed. She helped reduce the ferocity of Lord Narasimha.

The priests are friendly and eager to explain the spiritual significance of the venue.There are main two idols of her one outside open to sky stand 72 feet tall and one inside slightly underground about 4 feet. Many evil forces just leave as you enter the temple (if you believe).

SRI KARNESHWAR NATARAJA :

TEMPLE has been built by Dr. Karan Singh, through his "Hari Tara Charitable Trust", Jammu. Dr. Karan Singh being the former Sadar-e-Riyasat (Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir), and Union Minister of India, besides being a scholar and statesman, is a great devotee of Lord Shiva. The allegiance t o Sri Aurobindo and to Lord Shiva was the inspiration for the temple where one can find a Hindu god inside an Egyptian pyramid. The temple has been built with Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks, developed by who is a French Architect Satprem Maini and representative for Asia of the UNESCO Chair on "Earth Architecture Constructive cultures and sustainable development". The pyramid has been made with the exact proportions of the Great Pyramid, with an angle of 51 °51^”and exactly oriented to the North-South cardinal direction.

THE TEMPLE

The temple was first inaugurated on 16th March 2000, was severely damaged by the tsunami of 26th December 2004.T h e statue of Lord Nataraja was turned towards the South by the impact of the tsunami and bore all the brunt. Sri Aurobindo says that Lord Shiva as Nataraja is transcendental in nature and this has been amply proved by the very . little damage caused by the tsunami to the small village of Pudukuppam where the temple is located. Not a single person died in this village while the neighbouring villages had several casualties. The rehabilitation programme that followed radically transformed this village into a model village with new houses roads, parks, boats and fishing nets and a community hall. The temple was also rebuilt, using the unique concept of a pyramid, by Dr. Karan Singh, through his Hari Tara Charitable Trust, Jammu. The present temple was inaugurated on 30th September 2006 by Dr. Karan Singh &Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi.