Most Famous Temples in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is considered as one of the most popular vacation spots. Temples create a very traditional and magnificent image of this city. Let's have a look at the various temples in Pondicherry to know more about them.

1. Manakula Vinayagar Temple:

Manmula Vinayagar Temple instantly attracts the attention of visitors with its vibrantly colored dome. This temple of ancient origin is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and was built over 350 years ago. It is a magnet for devotees from Pondicherry and beyond. There is a scene of Ganesha and his two consorts, Riddhi and Siddhi, which is an unusual scene. Like many other temples in South India, this one is Dravidian style of architecture.

rry temple is called Bhubaneswar Ganapati. The temple is still popular in the form of Manal Kulatu Vinayagar due to its proximity to the sea. It was later renamed Manakula Vinayagar but was originally called Manal Kulatu Vinayagar.

Address: Manmula Vinayagar Koil Street, White Town.

Opening Timings: 5:4M to 12:30 PM and 9:30 PM to 4:45 PM.

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Dress Code: There is no dress code.

How to reach:

  While traveling by train to Pondicherry the nearest railway station is Villupuram (35 km away) which is connected to major cities of India. By air, the nearest airport to the city is Chennai International Airport (135 km away). By road, you can travel to Pondicherry by private or government bus from many cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore and Madurai. The temple is about 73 km from Chidambaram and 114 km from Kancheepuram. Bikes are available for rent to get around the city. Autos and taxis are also hired.

The best time to visit is on the day of Sankatahara Chaturthi, the annual Sankatahara Chatrahara festival that takes place for 24 days between July and August.

Additional attractions Sri Aurobindo Ashram is 0.1 km away. The seaside promenade is 0.4 km away and the French Institute is also 0.4 km away.

2. Panchvati Hanuman Temple:

Panchvati Hanuman Temple has a 32 feet tall Anjaneya idol. This magnificent temple architecture and huge idol attracts a lot of people and devotees every day. The Panchvati Temple in Pondicherry is spread across 12 acres so you can take your time and enjoy the peaceful moments to enjoy the beauty and ambiance. The best time to pay obeisance to Lord Hanuman is Saturday and on that day devotees also visit in large numbers.

Address: Pondicherry - Tindivanam Road.

Opening Timings: 7 am to 11 am and 5-8 pm.

Dress Code: Elegant and suitable for temples

How to reach there: Pondicherry is connected to all major cities by trains. Additionally, local buses are also available to reach the temple. The nearest airport to Pondicherry is Chennai Airport.

Temple Website: N/A

Best time to visit: Krishna Jayanti and Vaikunta times.

Other nearby attractions include: Annadan facilities that you can indulge in. It is famous for the free prasad offered to everyone who visits. It is a 15-16 kg stone that floats in the water and is a major attraction for tourists. It is believed to be one of the stones used to build the bridge connecting Lanka. Irumbai Temple.

3. Sri Karaneshwar Nataraja Temple, Pyramid Temple:

Sri Karneshwar Nataraja Temple is one of the most unique and magnificent temples located at Pudukuppam on the Pondicherry beach, 12 km north of Auroville. It resembles the huge pyramids dedicated to Lord Shiva in Egypt. The temple was built in the year 2000 by Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman of Auroville Foundation. The new temple was enlarged and improved after the 2004 tsunami destroyed the temple at its original location. The central chamber under the pointed dome houses the main focus of the deity.

Address: Eco Village and Spa, Gangaiamman Koil Street Beside Dune, Keelputhupet, Tamil Nadu 605014.

Timings: 6 – 12 pm and 4 to 9 pm.

Dress Code: There is no official dress code.

How to get there : The temple is 15 km from Pondicherry city center and 16 km from Puducherry bus station and 15 km from Puducherry airport. Chennai Airport is 130 km away and Villupuram Railway Station is 50 km away.

Other attractions: Tranquil beach.

4. Kamala Saibaba Temple, Pillaichawadi, Kalapet:

It is located in Pillaichavadi, Pondicherry, Sri Kamala Sai Baba Temple was established in 1995 by Sai Baba Seva Samiti under the Samaj Act. The Temple Seva Samiti initially also had 50 life members, but it grew to 359. The set is regular. The temple also conducts annadanam, bhajans and various types of service activities.

Address: Sri Kamala Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi Sai Nagar, Pillaichavadi, Puducherry-605014.

Opening Hours: 9 AM to 1 PM.

Dress Code: There is no official dress code.

How to reach there: Pondicherry is well connected to major cities in India, you can reach the temple by rail, air or bus routes. A variety of local vehicles are available to take visitors to the temples.

Additional attractions: Pondicherry University.

5. Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Pondicherry:

The Varadaraja Perumal Temple is situated in the heritage town of Pondicherry and has defined the religion of the region for over 800 years. This temple is one of the oldest temples around Pondicherry. Also the most famous Vishnu temple built during the Chola period in the 11th century. It has a five-tiered 110 feet Rajagopuram. Varadaraja resides with Bhudevi and Sridevi opposite the Perumal Vishnu temple. The temple also exhibits exquisite workmanship and awe-inspiring Dravidian style architecture.

Address: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Heritage Town.

Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 12 PM and 4:30 PM to 9:45 PM.

Dress Codes: Classic dress codes are mandatory.

How to reach there: Several bus services ply from Chennai to the temple. Nearest Railway Station to Pondicherry Temple. The nearest bus station is 2.5 km away and is near Chennai Airport

Temple Website: N/A

Additional attractions: Rock Beaches, University Aquarium, Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Serenity Beach.

6. Kamachi Amman Temple, Pondicherry:

The Kamachi Amman Temple in Pondicherry is believed to be more than 500 years old. The temple is dedicated to the manifestation of Durga or Parvati, the Hindu Goddess Kamakshi. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in Pondicherry and was built by the Pallava king. It is very special that the devotees participate in the four daily services held in the temple. Further, the major annual festivals held in this temple are Navratri, Aadi, Aipasi Puram, Theppam and Ther.

Address: Kamakshi Amman Sannathi Street, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502.

Opening Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM.

Dress Code: Traditional. Dress codes are a preferred option.

How to reach there: The temple is just 3 km from Thavalakuppan bus stop, 2 km from Puducherry railway station and 5 km from Pondicherry airport.

Temple Website: N/A

Additional attractions: Sri Ulagalanda Perumal Temple, Sri Kumarakottam Temple.

7. Vedapurishwara Temple:

The Vedapureeswarar temple is believed to be one of the most famous Shiva temples in Pondicherry which was destroyed by the French forces in 1748. Renovated in 1788, the temple is considered one of the most important places to visit in Pondicherry. The structure is similar to the majority of temples in South India with a 75 feet high Raja Gopuram. Goddess Parvati also known as Tripurasundari is a shrine. A rectangular water tank in the temple premises also adds to the beauty of the area.

Address Mahatma Gandhi Road, Heritage Road.

Opening Hours: 6 AM to 12:30 PM, and 4:30 PM to 8 PM.

Costume Code: Classic clothes are required.

How to get there This temple is a short walk from Pondicherry. Puducherry is connected to major cities by railways, airways and roads.

Temple Website: N/A

Other attractions: Pondicherry Botanic Gardens Cathedrals

8. Pratyangira Devi Temple, Morathandi:

Pratyangira Devi Temple is believed to be dedicated to Pratyangara Devi and is located in Morandi. The idol of the goddess is 72 feet tall with a large skull necklace and bulging eyes and a lion's head wrapped in her blue skin. Worship takes place in a small underground temple four feet below the surface.

Address: Pratyangara Devi Temple, Morathandi - 605101, Villupuram District.

Opening hours are 8 am to 1 pm and 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

The dress code is conservative. Dress codes are the best option.

How to reach there The temple is 9 km from Pondicherry bus stop and 10 km from Puducherry railway station.

Temple Website: N/A

Other Attractions: Moratandisanishwara Temple,

9. Kanniga Parameshwari Temple:

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti, the goddess of power and strength, Kanniga Parameshwari Temple is located on MG Road, Pondicherry. A Ganesha idol is located inside the temple complex, as well as French glass works. The temple is beautiful and has amazing French and Indian architectural styles, which are different. Traditional Tamil designs are used on the roof of the holy sanctum. Tourists from all cities visit the temple as it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pondicherry.

Address: MG Road, Pondicherry 605001.

Opening hours are 6 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM.

The dress code is conservative. Clothes are a priority choice.

How to reach The temple is just three kilometers away from Pondicherry bus station, which can be reached in 5 minutes in case of local public transport.

Temple Website: N/A

Other attractions are Promenade Beach and Rock Beach.

10. Ammayar Temple:

Karaikal Ammayar Temple is dedicated to Puneethavathi Devi and is located on Bharatiyar street in Karaikal. Ammayyar is one of the most revered deities of Karaikal. This temple was built in 1929 under Malaiperumal Pillai. The main deity of the temple known as Karaikkal Ammayar is Pvt.

Address: Bharatiyar St, Karaikal, Puducherry 609602.

Opening hours are 6 AM to 9 PM.

Costume Code: Classic dress codes are the most popular.

How to get there? The temple is about 1.5 km from Karaikal railway station.

Temple Website: N/A

Other attractions are Karaikal Beach and Saneswaran Temple.

11. Saneswaran Temple, Tirunallar:

One of the famous shrines of Lord Shani, Tirunallar Shaneswaran Temple is located in Tirunallar, Karaikal district of Pondicherry. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are the main deities in Tirunallar Saneswaran Temple. Tirunallar Saneswaran Temple. They are worshiped under the names Bhogamartha Poonmulai Amman and Darbaranyeswarar. Saneswaran surrendered his power to Lord Shiva to save his beloved Nalan from Shani's curse at his Tirunallar Saneswaran temple. Before entering the main sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva, he is worshiped and acts as the gatekeeper of the shrine.

Address: Tirunallar Saneswaran Temple, Nalankulam, Tirunallar, Puducherry 609607.

Opening hours are 5:15 am to 12:30 pm and 5 to 9 pm.

Costume Code: Classic dress is the preferred style.

How to reach there The nearest railway station to this temple is just 10 km away and Tiruchirappalli Airport is just 168 km away. This means it is easily connected to major cities.

Additional attractions are Bhadrakali Temple, Karaikal Ammayyar Temple.

12. Karaikal Kailasanathar Temple:

The Karaikal Kalisanathar Temple is opposite the Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple and is one of the most important temples in Karaikal, Pondicherry, India. Built around 2000 years ago during the Pallava period, the presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva worshiped here. The most prominent feature of the temple is the four delicate entrances leading to each side of the complex.

Address: Kailasanathar Kovil St, Karaikal, Puducherry 609602.

Opening hours are 6 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 7 PM.

The dress code is conservative. Clothes are preferred.

How to reach there: You can reach the temple from many parts of the city using taxi, car or train. Pondicherry is easily connected to other parts of the country.

Temple Website: N/A

Additional attractions include Perumal Temple and Mariamman Temple.