Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
A stone niche holds a standing goddess in colourful cloth with a trident, between two relief figures.
Swayambu

Thiru Vadukur Sri Vadukeeswarar Temple 16th of 22 in Nadu Nadu · Temples near Pondicherry

Darshan today6:00 am – 11:00 am, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Start reading Share
Moolavar
Vadukeeswarar, Panchanadeeswarar,Vadukurnathar
Ambal
Tiripurasundari, Vaduvakirkanni
Theertham
Vamanadeva Theertham
Sthala vriksham
Vanni tree
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 800 words · 4 min

Visited on: 17th September, 2016 and 16th 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

Moolar
Sri Vadukeeswarar, Sri Panchanadeeswarar,
Sri Vadukurnathar
Ambal
Sri Tiripurasundari, Sri Vaduvakirkanni
Theertham (Holy water)
Vamanadeva Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Vanni tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 16th 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.

A grey stone gateway topped by two small towers, with a small yellow stone pavilion in front of it.

Legend

The legend associated with this temple is that of a demon called Mundasuran. After rigorous penance, he was blessed with a lot of powers by Lord Shiva. He also obtained the power that he could not be killed by other demons or devas.

He started misusing his powers by harassing Lord Brahma and other celestial gods. They complained to Lord Shiva and sought his intervention. Lord Shiva directed Vaduka Bairavar, one of the eight Bairavars, to destroy the demon.

After killing Mundasuran, it is believed that Vaduka Bairavar worshiped the lord here to seek relief from the Brahmahathi dosham (the sin accrued by the act of killing). Hence the lord here is named “Sri Vadukeeswarar” and this place gets the name Vadukur.

Another legend associated with this temple is that of Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma, the creator, had five heads like Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma was very proud of this equality. Once Goddess Parvathi mistook Lord Brahma as Lord Shiva and extended the honours which Lord Brahma did not refuse. The confusion arose because both had five heads. To remove this confusion, Lord Shiva decided to remove one head of Lord Brahma and he did this here. Lord Brahma realized his mistake and pleaded to Lord Shiva to pardon him, which Lord Shiva acceded to. It is believed that this event took place here. As Lord Shiva removed one head of Lord Brahma, the lord here is praised as Sri Vadukeeswarar (“vaduku” means to pluck in Tamil).

A stone gateway with a carved sculpture of two seated figures on top, and a small domed shrine at the right.
A large tree with bare branches rises between dark stone walls, beside a carved shrine tower on the right.

Deities in the temple

Apart from the main deities, shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Nalvar, Dakshinamurthy, Pitchandavar, Brahma, Ardhanareeswarar, Suryan, Chandiran, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Navagraham, Saneeswarar, Sapthamathakkal and Bairavar can be seen in the corridors.

The significant feature of this temple is that the idol of Sri Anjaneyar is next to that of Lord Brahma. In the front hall (Mandapam), there is an idol of Lord Krishna where he can be seen standing between two serpents.

Four dark stone figures in white cloth stand on bases in a plain room, with Tamil name boards above each.
A long dark stone panel carved with a row of seated figures, with red and white flowers laid along the top.
A stone niche holds a standing goddess in colourful cloth with a trident, between two relief figures.
A shrine with a white stucco Ganesha under an arch, flanked by two bulls and two small figures, over a stone pedestal.
A small open stone shrine with carved pillars and a round domed roof, and a stone pedestal before the dark doorway.
A tall tower covered with pale carved figures above a dark stone wall and a doorway with an image in yellow cloth.
A small white stone shrine with a Tamil name board, holding a dark image in red cloth, with a lamp burning below.
A round well with a metal grille, small dark images on a stone platform under a blue roof, and one on a pedestal.

Salient Features

The Artha Mandapam (hall) in front of Lord Shiva’s shrine has eight pillars. It is believed that worshipping the lord from this hall will reward the devotees with prosperity and happiness.

Saint Arunagirinadhar has also sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

Greatness of this temple

Devotees believe that worshiping the lord of this temple would bless them with better job opportunities and promotions in works.

Important Festivals

The wedding festival of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is celebrated on the day of the Tamil New Year. It mostly falls on 14th of April every year.

Other important festivals celebrated in this temple are -

Vaikasi Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June),

Skanda Shashti in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct-Nov),

Thirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec),

Thai Poosam in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) and

Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).

Pradosham is observed regularly. Also, poojas to Lord Bairavar are conducted on all Sundays and on all Ashtami days.

Temple Timings

From 06:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Vadukeeswarar Temple,
Tiruvandar Koil Post
Kandamangalam Via,
Puducherry – 605 102.
Tele: +91- 99943 05874.

*
Open the map →
NavigateGet directions in Google Maps
Today6:00 am – 11:00 am, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone+91- 99943 05874
A tall tower of pale carved figures above a dark stone sanctum wall, with a small pillared shrine at the left.
A grey stone gateway with a carved sculpture of two figures above it, between plain stone walls and green trees.

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

What makes this temple great

Devotees come here for better work and for prosperity and happiness, and for a temple with a sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy in place of a gopuram.

  1. Better work and promotionDevotees believe that worshiping the lord here blesses them with better job opportunities and promotions in works.
  2. Worship from the Artha MandapamIt is believed that worshiping the lord from the Artha Mandapam rewards devotees with prosperity and happiness.
  3. Anjaneyar beside BrahmaThe idol of Anjaneyar is next to that of Lord Brahma, which is a significant feature of this temple.
  4. A sculpture in place of the GopuramIn place of the Gopuram, there is a beautiful sculpture depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.
Significance

Its place in the tradition

A Paadal Petra Sthalam sung by Thirugnanasambanthar, said to be built by a Chola king.

  1. A Paadal Petra SthalamOne of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 16th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
  2. Sung by ThirugnanasambantharThe Pathigam of this temple was rendered by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar.
  3. Built by a Chola kingThis temple is believed to have been built by the Chola King Paranthakan-I.
  4. A self-manifested LordLord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for work, for prosperity and happiness, and for the festivals and poojas held here.

  1. For a better jobFor better job opportunities and promotions in works, devotees worship the lord here.
  2. For prosperity and happinessWorshiping the lord from the Artha Mandapam is believed to reward devotees with prosperity and happiness.
  3. For Bairavar's poojasPoojas to Lord Bairavar are conducted on all Sundays and on all Ashtami days.
  4. For the wedding festivalThe wedding festival of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is celebrated on the day of the Tamil New Year.
The entrance gateway with the sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy on top.
276Paadal Petra Sthalams

Paadal Petra Sthalams

The name Vadukeeswarar

  1. வடுகுTo pluck, in Tamil

The lord is named Vadukeeswarar because Lord Shiva removed one head of Lord Brahma here, and "vaduku" means to pluck in Tamil.

The place was historically called Vadukur and the temple Andarkoil.

    Legends of the temple

    Lord Shiva directed Vaduka Bairavar to destroy the demon Mundasuran, who misused his powers. Vaduka Bairavar then worshiped the lord here to be relieved of the Brahmahathi dosham.

    To remove the confusion between Brahma and himself, Lord Shiva removed one of Brahma's five heads here, and pardoned him when he pleaded.

    What devotees pray for

    • Better job opportunitiesWorshiping the lord here is believed to bless devotees with better job opportunities and promotions.
    • Prosperity and happinessWorshiping from the Artha Mandapam is believed to reward devotees with this.

    Prayers here are for work and for prosperity and happiness.

    Saints who sang here

    1. ThirugnanasambantharSaint Thirugnanasambanthar rendered the Pathigam of this temple.
    2. ArunagirinadharSaint Arunagirinadhar sang in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his Thirupugazh.

    Two saints sang in praise of the lord and of Murugan here.

    Festivals through the year

      The wedding festival of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is celebrated on the Tamil New Year, with Vaikasi Visakam, Skanda Shashti, Thirukarthikai, Thai Poosam and Shivrathri.

      Deities

      The deities of this temple

      * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

      From the sanctum to the corridors
      Moolavarவ
      Moolavar

      Sri Vadukeeswarar

      Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). The lord is slightly leaning towards the left side.

      Ambalதி
      Ambal

      Sri Tiripurasundari

      The Ambal of this temple is Sri Tiripurasundari, also called Sri Vaduvakirkanni.

      A shrine with a white stucco Ganesha under an arch, flanked by two bulls and two small figures, over a stone pedestal.
      Shrine in the corridor

      Vinayakar

      Shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar and Murugan with his consorts can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorமு
      Shrine in the corridor

      Murugan with his consorts

      Saint Arunagirinadhar has also sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

      Four dark stone figures in white cloth stand on bases in a plain room, with Tamil name boards above each.
      Shrine in the corridor

      Nalvar

      Idols of the Nalvar can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorத
      Shrine in the corridor

      Dakshinamurthy

      The shrine and idol of Dakshinamurthy can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorஆ
      Shrine in the corridor

      Sri Anjaneyar

      The significant feature of this temple is that the idol of Sri Anjaneyar is next to that of Lord Brahma.

      Shrine in the corridorது
      Shrine in the corridor

      Durgai

      The shrine and idol of Durgai can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorச
      Shrine in the corridor

      Sapthamathakkal

      The shrine and idols of Sapthamathakkal can be seen in the corridors.

      A small white stone shrine with a Tamil name board, holding a dark image in red cloth, with a lamp burning below.
      Shrine in the corridor

      Lord Bairavar

      Poojas to Lord Bairavar are conducted on all Sundays and on all Ashtami days.

      In the front hallகி
      In the front hall

      Lord Krishna

      In the front hall (Mandapam), there is an idol of Lord Krishna where he can be seen standing between two serpents.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      Thiru Vadukur Thiruvakkarai Puravaar Panangkatur Thiruthuraiyur Irumbai Mahalam Arisili Thirumanikkuzhi Thiruvamathur Gramam Thiruvennainallur Thirunavalur Thiruchopuram Thiru Idayaru
      You are hereThis temple

      Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today6:00 am – 11:00 am, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
      6:00 – 11:005:00 – 8:00 pm

      Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Vadukeeswarar Temple, Tiruvandar Koil Post, Kandamangalam Via, Puducherry – 605 102.

      +91- 99943 05874

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 62.9 km in straight lines.

      Map of Thiru Vadukur and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Thiruvakkarai, Puravaar Panangkatur, Thiruvamathur, Gramam, Thiruthuraiyur. Thiruvennainallur · 32.3 km Thiru Vadukur 1 Thiruvakkarai 2 Puravaar Panangkatur 3 Thiruvamathur 4 Gramam 5 Thiruthuraiyur 10 km N
      Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.
      1. 1 ThiruvakkaraiSri Chandramouleeswarar Temple and Sri Vakrakali Amman Temple12.1 km from the last stop
      2. 2 Puravaar PanangkaturSri Panangatteswarar Temple12.8 km from the last stop
      3. 3 ThiruvamathurSri Abirameswarar Temple8.9 km from the last stop
      4. 4 GramamSri Sivalokanathar Temple14.7 km from the last stop
      5. 5 ThiruthuraiyurSri Shista Gurunatha Eswarar Temple14.5 km from the last stop
      Open this route in Google Maps →

      Temple plan

      A shrine with a white stucco Ganesha under an arch, flanked by two bulls and two small figures, over a stone pedestal.
      01

      Vinayakar

      Shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar and Murugan with his consorts can be seen in the corridors.

      1 / 5

      Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

      Pathigam

      Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

      Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

      V. Muthukumaraswamy

      Sung here by Thirugnanasambandar. Verse 1 of 11.

      Suṭukū rerimālai yaṇivar suṭarvēlar
      koṭukūr mazhuvāḷoṉ tṟuṭaiyār viṭaiyūrvar
      kaṭukūr pasikāmaṅ kavalai piṇiyillār
      vaṭukūr puṉalchūzhntha vaṭukū raṭikaḷē

      The verse describes the Lord who wears a garland of fire, holds a bright spear and an axe, and rides a bull. It calls him free of hunger, desire, worry and disease, the Lord of Vadukur, a place surrounded by water.

      Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

      Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

      All eleven verses

      1. 01

        சுடுகூ ரெரிமாலை யணிவர் சுடர்வேலர்கொடுகூர் மழுவாளொன் றுடையார் விடையூர்வர்கடுகூர் பசிகாமங் கவலை பிணியில்லார்வடுகூர் புனல்சூழ்ந்த வடுகூ ரடிகளே

        Suṭukū rerimālai yaṇivar suṭarvēlar / koṭukūr mazhuvāḷoṉ tṟuṭaiyār viṭaiyūrvar / kaṭukūr pasikāmaṅ kavalai piṇiyillār / vaṭukūr puṉalchūzhntha vaṭukū raṭikaḷē

      2. 02

        பாலு நறுநெய்யுந் தயிரும் பயின்றாடிஏலுஞ் சுடுநீறும் என்பும் ஒளிமல்கக்கோலம் பொழிற்சோலைக் கூடி மடவன்னம்ஆலும் வடுகூரில் ஆடும் மடிகளே

        Pālu naṟuneyyun thayirum payiṉtṟāṭi / ēluñ suṭunīṟum eṉpum oḷimalkak / kōlam pozhiṟchōlaik kūṭi maṭavaṉṉam / ālum vaṭukūril āṭum maṭikaḷē

      3. 03

        சூடும் இளந்திங்கள் சுடர்பொற் சடைதன்மேல்ஓடுங் களியானை உரிபோர்த் துமையஞ்சஏடு மலர்மோந்தங் கெழிலார் வரிவண்டுபாடும் வடுகூரில் ஆடும் மடிகளே

        Sūṭum iḷanthiṅkaḷ suṭarpoṟ chaṭaithaṉmēl / ōṭuṅ kaḷiyāṉai uripōrth thumaiyañcha / ēṭu malarmōnthaṅ kezhilār varivaṇṭu / pāṭum vaṭukūril āṭum maṭikaḷē

      4. 04

        துவரும் புரிசையுந் துதைந்த மணிமாடம்கவர வெரியோட்டிக் கடிய மதிலெய்தார்கவரு மணிகொல்லைக் கடிய முலைநல்லார்பவரும் வடுகூரில் ஆடும் மடிகளே

        Thuvarum purisaiyun thuthaintha maṇimāṭam / kavara veriyōṭṭik kaṭiya mathileythār / kavaru maṇikollaik kaṭiya mulainallār / pavarum vaṭukūril āṭum maṭikaḷē

      5. 05

        துணியா ருடையாடை துன்னி யரைதன்மேல்தணியா அழல்நாகந் தரியா வகைவைத்தார்பணியா ரடியார்கள் பலரும் பயின்றேத்தஅணியார் வடுகூரில் ஆடும் மடிகளே

        Thuṇiyā ruṭaiyāṭai thuṉṉi yaraithaṉmēl / thaṇiyā azhalnākan thariyā vakaivaithār / paṇiyā raṭiyārkaḷ palarum payiṉtṟētha / aṇiyār vaṭukūril āṭum maṭikaḷē

      6. 06

        தளருங் கொடியன்னாள் தன்னோ டுடனாகிக்கிளரும் அரவார்த்துக் கிளரும் முடிமேலோர்வளரும் பிறைசூடி வரிவண் டிசைபாடஒளிரும் வடுகூரில் ஆடும் மடிகளே

        Thaḷaruṅ koṭiyaṉṉāḷ thaṉṉō ṭuṭaṉākik / kiḷarum aravārthuk kiḷarum muṭimēlōr / vaḷarum piṟaisūṭi varivaṇ ṭisaipāṭa / oḷirum vaṭukūril āṭum maṭikaḷē

      7. 07

        நெடியர் சிறிதாய நிரம்பா மதிசூடும்முடியர் விடையூர்வர் கொடியர் மொழிகொள்ளார்கடிய தொழிற்காலன் மடிய வுதைகொண்டஅடியர் வடுகூரில் ஆடும் மடிகளே

        Neṭiyar siṟithāya nirampā mathisūṭum / muṭiyar viṭaiyūrvar koṭiyar mozhikoḷḷār / kaṭiya thozhiṟkālaṉ maṭiya vuthaikoṇṭa / aṭiyar vaṭukūril āṭum maṭikaḷē

      8. 08

        பிறையும் நெடுநீரும் பிரியா முடியினார்மறையும் பலபாடி மயானத் துறைவாரும்பறையும் அதிர்குழலும் போலப் பலவண்டாங்கறையும் வடுகூரில் ஆடும் மடிகளே

        Piṟaiyum neṭunīrum piriyā muṭiyiṉār / maṟaiyum palapāṭi mayāṉath thuṟaivārum / paṟaiyum athirkuzhalum pōlap palavaṇṭāṅ / kaṟaiyum vaṭukūril āṭum maṭikaḷē

      9. 09

        சந்தம் மலர்வேய்ந்த சடையின் இடைவிம்முகந்தம் மிகுதிங்கள் சிந்து கதிர்மாலைவந்து நயந்தெம்மை நன்றும் அருள்செய்வார்அந்தண் வடுகூரில் ஆடும் மடிகளே

        Santham malarvēyntha chaṭaiyiṉ iṭaivim'mu / kantham mikuthiṅkaḷ sinthu kathirmālai / vanthu nayanthem'mai naṉtṟum aruḷseyvār / anthaṇ vaṭukūril āṭum maṭikaḷē

      10. 10

        திருமா லடிவீழத் திசைநான் முகனாயபெருமா னுணர்கில்லாப் பெருமான் நெடுமுடிசேர்செருமால் விடையூருஞ் செம்மான் திசைவில்லாஅருமா வடுகூரில் ஆடும் மடிகளே

        Thirumā laṭivīzhath thisaināṉ mukaṉāya / perumā ṉuṇarkillāp perumāṉ neṭumuṭisēr / serumāl viṭaiyūruñ chem'māṉ thisaivillā / arumā vaṭukūril āṭum maṭikaḷē

      11. 11

        படிநோன் பவையாவர் பழியில் புகழானகடிநாண் நிகழ்சோலை கமழும் வடுகூரைப்படியா னசிந்தை மொழியார் சம்பந்தன்அடிஞா னம்வல்லா ரடிசேர் வார்களே

        The last verse names the singer as Sambanthan and says that those who master these verses will reach the feet of the Lord.

        Paṭinōṉ pavaiyāvar pazhiyil pukazhāṉa / kaṭināṇ nikazhchōlai kamazhum vaṭukūraip / paṭiyā ṉachinthai mozhiyār sambanthaṉ / aṭigñā ṉamvallā raṭisēr vārkaḷē

      Photos

      Photographs

      14 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

      A stone niche holds a standing goddess in colourful cloth with a trident, between two relief figures.
      A grey stone gateway topped by two small towers, with a small yellow stone pavilion in front of it.
      A stone gateway with a carved sculpture of two seated figures on top, and a small domed shrine at the right.
      A large tree with bare branches rises between dark stone walls, beside a carved shrine tower on the right.
      Four dark stone figures in white cloth stand on bases in a plain room, with Tamil name boards above each.
      A long dark stone panel carved with a row of seated figures, with red and white flowers laid along the top.
      A stone niche holds a standing goddess in colourful cloth with a trident, between two relief figures.
      A shrine with a white stucco Ganesha under an arch, flanked by two bulls and two small figures, over a stone pedestal.
      A small open stone shrine with carved pillars and a round domed roof, and a stone pedestal before the dark doorway.
      A tall tower covered with pale carved figures above a dark stone wall and a doorway with an image in yellow cloth.
      A small white stone shrine with a Tamil name board, holding a dark image in red cloth, with a lamp burning below.
      A round well with a metal grille, small dark images on a stone platform under a blue roof, and one on a pedestal.
      A tall tower of pale carved figures above a dark stone sanctum wall, with a small pillared shrine at the left.
      A grey stone gateway with a carved sculpture of two figures above it, between plain stone walls and green trees.