Churches & Temples in Puducherry

Churches

The Eglise de Sacre Coeur de Jesus, situated on the south boulevard, stands out as an oriental specimen of Gothic splendour. It contains rare and beautiful stained glass panels depicting events from the life of Christ.

The Eglise de Notre Dame de la Conception Immaculate, on Cathedral Street, was first built in 1692. It took its present shape in 1791.

The Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, in Rue Dumas, is notable for its masonry-which uses the finest of limestone mixed with white of the egg-making for a texture identical to that of white marble. It is modeled on the Basilica at Lourdes, in southern France.

Villiannur

You can locate the architecturally fine sight of the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswara Temple, 10kms from Pondicherry. Thousands of devotees converge here for a ten-day annual festival (Brahmotsavam), held during May-June along with the appearance of the full moon.

The massive 15m tall temple chariot, basking in finery, is taken out on a procession by a devout crowd. It's a remarkable sight. Besides, the breath-taking Ousteri lake nearby, spread over 10 hectaresm, is home to rare varieties of birds.

Thirunallur Temple

Thirunallar is 5kms west of Karaikal. The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Dharbaraneswara Temple holds Siva as the main deity. However, its shrine dedicated to Saneeswaran (Saturn) which figures in the story of Nala-Damayanti; makes this the most famous Saturn temple in India.The blessings of Saturn are said to be overwhelming, while its wrath causes great misery.The temple hosts a mammoth festival (Shanti peyarchi), each time Saturn moves from one sign of the Zodaic to another.

The Varadaraja Temple

The Varadaraja Temple (12the century) is the most important Vishnu temple in town, located just west of Gandhi Road, off Tyagaraja Street. Here, Narasimha sits behind Venkatachalapathy, the main deity.

Vedapureswarar Temple

This 18th century Siva Shrine in Pondicherry houses stone inscriptions and a swayambhulinga. Recently renovated, the gopuram (tower) is brilliantly colourful.

Karaikal Ammaiyur Temple

Legend says that Lord Siva disguised himself as an ascetic, seeking alms from a lady called Punithavarthi living in Karaikal. Who later, as Karaika Ammaiyar, was destined to find an esteemed place among his 63 saints. An image of this lady saint is housed in a small and beautiful temple erected right where she lived.

Masthan Saheb Darga

Dedicated to Masthan Saheb Syed Dawood Buhari, a Sufi saint who came to Karaikal from Buhara two centuries ago. He died aged 120, in 1829. Various miracles are attributed to him. The over-170-year-old Kandhuri Festival (November) is celebrated in his commemoration. It starts with the hoisting of a huge flag on a pole-reminiscent of a ship and a sea-faring tradition. And winds up, 10 days later with a spectacle of floats lit with electric colours.

Manakkula Vinayakar Temple

Located right behind the Raj Nivas in Pondicherry town, this Ganesha temple has an interesting aside. A neighbouring Frenchman finding the place of worship of nuisance, made several futile attempts to do away with the deity. Still, it kept reappearing. Convinced, he turned an active believer.

Therefore, it is also fondly referred to as Vellakkaran (white man) Pillai (Ganesha)