Pristine beaches and magnificent churches come to mind when you hear the name Pondicherry isn’t it? But Pondicherry’s association with temples goes a long way, with some tracing back to the 10th century AD. The architectural beauty of the temples in Pondicherry shows a blend of French and Indian heritages along with their religious significance.
The temples in Pondicherry paint a very different picture amidst the colonial vibe and bohemian chic, and we have handpicked a list of the famous ones you must visit.
Most Famous Temples near Pondicherry That You Must Visit:
Pondicherry is known as one of the best holiday destinations. But the temples paint a very traditional and beautiful picture of the city. So let us go through the list of temples in Pondicherry to gain more knowledge.
1. Manakula Vinayagar Temple:
The Manakula Vinayagar temple instantly attracts visitors’ attention with its brightly painted gopuram. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, built more than 350 years ago. It attracts devotees from all over Pondicherry and places beyond. You can see Lord Ganesha with his two consorts, Riddhi and Siddhi, making it a unique sight. As commonly seen in many south India, this temple follows a Dravidian style architecture.
The idol in the Ponicherry temple is named Bhuvaneshwar Ganapathy. Still, it is known as Manal KulathuVinayagar because of the temple’s location near the sea. It came to known as Manakula Vinayagar later but it was first called Manal Kulathu Vinayagar.
- Address: Manakula Vinayagar Koil street, White town.
- Opening Timings: 5:45 am to 12:30 pm and 4 to 9:30 pm.
- Dress Code: There is no dress code.
- How to Reach: If taking the train to Pondicherry, nearest rail station Villupuram (35 kilometres away) connected to all major cities of India. By Air, the nearest airport is Chennai International airport (135 km away). By road, you can take a private or state operated bus from many cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore and Madurai to Pondicherry. The temple itself is 73 Km from Chidambaram and 114 from Kanchipuram. People rent bikes to travel around the city or autos and taxis can also be hired.
- Temple Website: http://www.manakulavinayagartemple.com/
- Best Time To Visit: annual 24 days main festival during August and September. Sankatahara Chathurthi Day
- Other Attractions: Sri Aurobindo Ashram is 0.1 km away, Seaside Promenade is 0.4 km away and French institute.
Read: Puducherry – Culture and Tradition
2. Panchavati Hanuman Temple:
Panchavati Hanuman temple is a shrine that presides a 32 feet tall idol of Lord Anjaneya. The splendid temple architecture and gigantic idol draw several tourists and devotees regularly. You can enjoy the tranquil moments to appreciate the beauty and vibe of the Panchavati temple, Pondicherry, as it is sprawling across 12 acres of area. The perfect day to worship Lord Hanuman is on Saturday, and the shrine sees a huge footfall of devotees on this day.
- Address: Pondicherry – Tindivanam road.
- Opening Timings: 7 to 11 am and 5 to 8 pm.
- Dress Code: Decent, temple apt attire
- How to Reach: Pondicherry is connected to all major cities via train. In addition, there are local buses you can take to reach the temple. The nearest airport to Pondicherry is Chennai airport.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: Krishna Jayanthi, and Vaikunta times.
- Other Attractions: The temple has Anna Dhan facilities towards which you can contribute. It is known for its free prasadham given to all visitors. A 15-16 Kg stone can be seen floating on the water and is a key attraction for visitors. It is said that it is one of the stones used to build a bridge to Lanka. Irumbai temple.
3. Sri Karaneswara Nataraja Temple, Pyramid Temple:
Sri Karneshwar Nataraja temple is the most unusual and one of the most beautiful temples on Pudhukuppam beach in Pondicherry, 12 km North of Auroville. The temple resembles the great pyramids of Egypt and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Dr. Karan Sing, the chairman of the Auroville Foundation, built this temple in 2000. The new pyramid temple was made bigger and better because the tsunami of 2004 destroyed the original temple. The central chamber under the pointed dome houses the presiding deity.
- Address: Eco Village And Spa, GangaiammanKoil Street Beside Dune, Keelputhupet, Tamil Nadu 605014.
- Opening Timings: 6 to 12 pm and 4 to 9 pm.
- Dress Code: There is no specific dress code.
- How to Reach: The temple is 15 km away from Pondicherry city center, 16 km away from Puducherry bus stop, and 15 km away from the Puducherry airport. Chennai airport is 130 km away, and Villupuram railway station is 50 km away.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Other Attractions: Calm seashore.
4. Kamala Saibaba Temple, Pillaichavadi, Kalapet:
- Address: Shri Kamala Saibaba Temple, Shirdi Sai Nagar, Pillaichavady, Puducherry-605014.
- Opening Timings: 9 am to 1 pm.
- Dress Code: There is no specific dress code.
- How to Reach: Pondicherry is connected to all major cities, and you can reach the place via air, train, and bus routes. There are several local vehicles available that will take you to the temple.
- Temple Website: https://pondicherrykamalasai.org/
- Other Attractions: Pondicherry university.
5. Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Pondicherry:
- Address: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Heritage Town.
- Opening Timings: 6:30 am to 12 pm and 4:30 to 9:30 pm.
- Dress Code: Traditional dresses are a must.
- How to Reach: There are numerous bus transportation services from Chennai to visit the temple. Pondicherry is the nearest railway station to this temple. The closest bus station is 2.5 km away, and the Chennai airport is the nearest.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Other Attractions: Rock beach, University aquarium, Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar temple, Serenity beach.
Read: Spots to Visit in Pondicherry
6. Kamatchi Amman Temple, Pondicherry:
The Kamatchi Amman temple in Pondicherry is 500 years old. It is dedicated to the incarnation of Durga or Parvati, the Hindu Goddess Kamakshi Devi. The temple is one of the famous visits in Pondicherry and was constructed by the Pallava kings. The devotees are invited to join the total of four worships performed every day in this temple. In addition, Navaratri, Aadi, Aipasi Puram, Theppam, and Ther are annual festivals celebrated in this temple.
- Address: Kamakshi Amman Sannathi Street, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502.
- Opening Timings: 6 am to 12 pm and 5 to 9 pm.
- Dress Code: Traditional dresses are preferred.
- How to Reach: The temple is 3 km away from the Thavalakuppan bus stand, two km away from the Puducherry railway station, and five km away from the Pondicherry airport.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Other Attractions: Sri Ulagalanda Perumal temple, Sri Kumarakottam temple.
7. Vedapureeswarar Temple:
The Vedapureeshwarar temple is one of the famous Lord Shiva temples in Pondicherry, destroyed by the French troops in 1748. The temple is considered one of the landmark places to visit Pondicherry after its reconstruction in 1788. The architecture is similar to many south Indian temples with 75 feet tall Raja gopuram, and Goddess Parvati or Tiripurasundari has a shrine dedicated to herself. A rectangular water tank within its precincts enhances the beauty of this place.
- Address: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Heritage road.
- Opening Timings: 6 am to 12:30 pm and 4:30 to 8 pm.
- Dress Code: Traditional dresses are necessary.
- How to Reach: The temple is a few minutes walk away from Pondicherry. Puducherry is well connected to major cities through airways, railways, and road transportation.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Other Attractions: Pondicherry botanical gardens, Cathedrals.
8. Prathyangira Devi Temple, Moratandi:
The Prathyangira Devi temple is dedicated to the goddess Prathiyangara Devi located in Moratandi. The goddess’s statue is 72 feet with a long skull necklace around her, her skin in blue, bulging eyes, and a lion’s head. The poojas are performed in a small underground temple four feet below the ground.
- Address: Prathiyangara devi temple, Moratandi – 605101, Villupuram district.
- Opening Timings: 8 am to 1 pm and 3:30 to 8:30 pm.
- Dress Code: Traditional dresses are preferable.
- How to Reach: The temple is 9km away from the Pondicherry bus stand, and the Puducherry railway station is 10 km away.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Other Attractions: Moratandishaneeshwara temple,
9. Kanniga Parameswari Temple:
Dedicated to goddess Shakthi, a deity of power, the Kanniga Parameshwari temple is located in Pondicherry’s MG road. A Lord Ganesha idol is inside the temple complex and French glass paintings. This beautiful temple has perfect French and Indian architecture, making it unique. Tamil traditional style designs are used inside the ceiling of the sanctum. People from all cities visit the temple as it is one of the famous attractions in Pondicherry.
- Address: MG Road, Pondicherry 605001.
- Opening Timings: 6 am to 12 pm and 4 to 9 pm.
- Dress Code: Traditional dresses are preferred.
- How to Reach: The temple is three km away from the Pondicherry bus stand, which can be reached in five minutes at most in local transport.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Other Attractions: Promenade beach, Rock beach.
Read: Top Hindu Temples in India
10. Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple:
Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple is dedicated to the goddess Punithavathi and is located in Bharathiar street, Karaikal. Ammaiyar is one of Karaikal’s renowned goddesses, and the temple was constructed in 1929 by Malaiperumal Pillai. Punivati is the main goddess in this temple called Karaikkal Ammaiyar.
- Address: Bharathiyar St, Karaikal, Puducherry 609602.
- Opening Timings: 6 am to 9 pm.
- Dress Code: Traditional dresses are preferred.
- How to Reach: The temple is at a distance of 1.5 km from the Karaikal railway station.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Other Attractions: Karaikal beach, Saneeswaran temple.
11. Saneeswaran Temple, Thirunallar:
- Address: Tirunallar Saneeswaran Temple, Nalankulam, Thirunallar, Puducherry 609607.
- Opening Timings: 5:30 am to 12:30 pm and 5 to 9 pm.
- Dress Code: Traditional attire is preferred.
- How to Reach: The nearest railway station to this temple is 10 km away, and the Tiruchirapalli airport is 168 km away. So it is well connected to all major cities.
- Temple Website: https://thirunallarutemple.org/
- Other Attractions: Bhadrakali temple, Karaikal Ammaiyar temple.
12. Karaikal Kailasanathar Temple:
Karaikal Kalisanathar Temple is located opposite the Karaikal Ammaiyar temple and is one of the significant temples in Karaikal, Pondicherry, India. Lord Shiva is the main deity worshipped in this temple constructed about 2000 years ago by the Pallavas. The four elaborate doorways in each direction of the temple complex are the temple’s main attraction.
- Address: Kailasanathar Kovil St, Karaikal, Puducherry 609602.
- Opening Timings: 6 am to 12 pm and 4 to 7 pm.
- Dress Code: Traditional dresses are preferable.
- How to Reach: You can reach the temple from different parts of the city via car, taxi or train. Pondicherry is well connected to other parts of the country.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Other Attractions: Perumal temple, Mariamman temple.
Read: Famous Churches in Pondicherry
Now that we all know what Pondicherry has in store for us, it is about time to book your tickets and start packing. The temples in Pondicherry mentioned in this article will help you experience the devotional side of this beautiful city. Don’t forget to let us know if you found this article helpful!
FAQ:
1. What are the famous street foods in Pondicherry?
Ans: Some of the famous street foods or snacks you must eat while visiting Pondicherry are:
- Pani puri.
- Mutton samosas.
- Masala puri.
- Mutton rolls.
- Vegetable sandwiches.
- Bondas.
- Khowsuey.
- Crab masala fry.
2. What are the things you can do while visiting Pondicherry?
Ans: Some of the exciting things you can do while visiting Pondicherry are:
- Scuba diving.
- City tour.
- Visiting Auroville.
- Bike exploration of the city.
- Popular temples.
3. When is the best time to visit Pondicherry?
Ans: The best time to visit Pondicherry city is between October and March. This is because the temperature during these months is 15 degrees Celcius to 30 degrees Celsius.
