6 Famous Temples To Visit In Pondicherry

Visited on: 17^th September, 2016 and 16^th December, 2016

Location

Thiruvadukur is at a distance of about 22 kms from Pondicherry on the Pondicherry to Villupuram route. From Villupuram it is about 20 kms.

Nearest railway station is Chinnababu Samudram (4 kms) on the Villupuram to Pondicherry railway line.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 16^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• The lord of this temple, Lord Vadukeeswarar is slightly leaning towards the left side.
• There is no flag post (Dwajasthambam) in this temple.
• This east facing temple’s main tower is not tiered. In place of the Gopuram, there is a beautiful sculpture depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.

History of the Temple

This temple is believed to have been built by the Chola King Paranthakan-I. It is constructed in a style that is similar to that of Tanjore temple but it is much smaller in size. 

The historical name of this place is Vadukur and that of the temple is Andarkoil. However, over a period of time, this place’s name has been changed to Thiru Andarkoil.  

Currently, this temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India, Department of Culture, Government of India..

Visited on: 17^th September, 2016

Location

Panayapuram is at a distance of about 12 kms from Villupuram and 3 kms from Mundiambakkam. It is on the Pondicherry to Mundiambakkam route. The temple is hardly one km away from the Vikravandi tollgate on the Panruti / Kumabakonam route. 

Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near Panayapuram are: Thiruvamathur (13 kms), Thiruthuraiyur (24 kms) and Thirumundeeswaram (Gramam) (29 kms). 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 20^th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. 
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the few temples that has palm tree is its “sthala viruksham”. 
• This temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 4-tiers.
• The last Consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 02.06.2004 and prior to that in the year 1971. 

History of the Temple

This temple is believed to have been built by the Chola King Kulothungan-I.

It is believed that once this place was densely populated with palm trees. This place is called “Puravaar Panangkatur” because “Puravaar” in Tamil means forest and Panangkatur means full of palm trees. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar has also mentioned this place as Puravaar Panankatur in his hyms.

Of the 276 Paadal Petra Shivasthalams, very few temples have Palm tree (Panai) as their Sthala Viruksham. This temple is one of them. They are - Thiru Panaiyur, Thiru Vanparthan Panankattur, Thiru Puravaar Panankattur, Thiru Cheyyar, Thiru Mazhapadi, Thiru Valampuram and Thiruppanandal.

Visited on: September 17, 2016

Location

Thiruvakkari is situated at a distance of about 25 kms each from Pondicherry, Tindivanam and Villupuram. On the Pondicherry to Mayilam route, there is a village called Perumbakkam. An arch (Entrance) of this temple is erected at Perumpakkam and from here this temple is at a distane of about 6 kms.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 30^th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This temple has three corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 7-tiers.
• Although this is a Shiva temple, Goddess Vakrakali is more prominent here.
• Everything in this temple, including the idols, the structures and the flag post are “Vakram” (Contrary / Unusual).

History of the Temple

The temple is located on the banks of river Varaha.

As per the information displayed at the temple, it is more than 2000 years old and was built by King Adithya Chola. 

Legend

According to legend that there was once a Demon King called Vakrasuran, who, being a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and had performed rigorous penance here. Pleased by his penance, Lord Shiva granted him the boon of immortality. Empowered with immortality, he started terrorizing the celestial gods (Devas). The Devas pleaded with Lord Shiva to save them from Vakrasuran’s atrocities. Lord Shiva asked Lord Mahavishnu to kill Vakrasuran, In the fight between Lord Vishnu and Vakrasuran, as soon as Vakrasuran’s blood touched the ground, demons started forming in its place. Vakkra Kali (Goddess Parvathi) was sent to drink the blood without letting it drop to the ground. Mahavishnu used his Sri Chakra and killed Vakrasuran. When Vakrasuran's sister Dhunmukhi came to the battle field, she was pregnant. Goddess Parvathi took out the baby, wore it in her ear as earring and then killed Dhunmukhi. After killing Dhunmukhi, she stayed there in the form of Vakrakali.

As the Demon Vakrasuran worshipped Lord Shiva here, it is said that this place is called Vakkarai. Other names associated with this place are Kundalivanam, Dhukrapuri and Vakrapuripattinam.

It is also said that Chandiran (Moon god) worshipped the Lord Shiva here. 

Visited on: 20^th May, 2016

Location

Irumbai is about 10 kms from Puducherry and 2 kms away from Morattandi on Puducherry to Tindivanam route. After Morattandi, there is a small road on the right side leading to Irumbai village where the temple is located. Also, the temple is in the vicinity of Auroville International Township.

Two more Padal Petra Sthalam, Kiliyanur and Arisili are located very near to this place. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 32^nd Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the three places where the Shiva Lingam is said to have been installed and worshipped by Mahakala Rishi.
• The Vimanam - the tower above the sanctum sanctorum is an excellent example of the Ekadala style of architecture. 

History of the Temple

It is believed that this temple was built in the 7^th century by Chola King Kulothungan III.

As per the inscriptions on the stone walls of the temple, the village’s name is mentioned as “Iruncheri”.

Another reasoning behind the name Irumbai is that this place was once densely populated by Iluppai trees and so the village got the name Iluppai. Over a period of time this name got changed to Irumbai.

This temple is associated with the legend of Kaduveli Siddhar, a famous yogi who lived in the area about five hundred years ago. 

Visited on: 17^th September, 2016

Location 

Kiliyanur is at a distance of about 25 kms from Pondicherry on the Pondicherry to Tindivanam route. After crossing Morattandi, there is a small road on the right going to Kiliyanur village. Travel along that road for about 3 kms to reach the temple. The temple is near the village Brammadesam and at a distance of about one km from Kiliyanur bus stand.

Two more Paadal Petra Sthalam, Arisili and Irumbai Maakaalam are located very near to this place.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 33^rd Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• It is said that this is the last (276^th) Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam that has been identified so far.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• The procession idols (Urchavars) are kept somewhere else for safety reasons as they have been stolen once and later recovered.
• This is a Rahu-Kedu parikara Sthalam.
• There is no flag post (Kodimaram) or main tower (Rajagopuram) in this temple.

History of the Temple

This temple is around 1500 years old and was built in the Chola period. “Killi” is the surname of Chola kings and there are historical references to kings from the Chola period like King Nedungkilli and King Killivalavan. It is possible that this place’s name “Kiliyanur” might have been derived from its connection to the Chola dynasty.

As per the stone inscriptions in the temple, it can be deduced that this temple was first built using bricks and later reconstructed using granite during King Paranthaka Chola-I’s period.

Visited on: 17^th September, 2016

Location

15 kms away from Puducherry on the Puducherry to Tindivanam route. After crossing Morattandi, there is a small road on the right going to Ozhindiyapattu village. Travel along that road for about 1.5 kms to reach the temple. Two more Paadal Petra Sthalam - Kiliyanur and Irumbai Maakaalam are located very near to this place.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 31^st Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
• Lord Shiva’s lingam in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested) and is very small in size. 

History of the Temple

This temple has a small main tower (Rajagopuram) and a single corridor. It is east facing and is believed to have been built by the kings of Chalukyas. 

Legend

The legend is that Sage Vamadeva visited many Shiva Sthalams seeking relief from a curse he had incurred. When he came to this place, he was taking rest for a while under a peepal (Arasu) tree. Mesmerized by the beautiful surrounding and atmosphere, he started imagining how pleasant it would be to have a temple for Lord Shiva built under this tree. Knowing the Sage’s wish, Lord Shiva blessed him with an appearance, relieved Vamadeva’s curse and stayed there as a swayambumurthy. Since the Lord appeared under an Arasu tree, he is named Sri Arasaleeswarar and this place itself is named Arasili.

However, over a period of time, this Shivalingam disappeared from this place and is believed to have gotten submerged under the earth.