Temples & Mosques
Pondicherry
is a place of many faiths. If you look at the places of worship which dominate
the landscape you will realize why pilgrims flock to Pondy. In and around
Pondicherry there are a whopping 350 temples - big and small. Neighbouring
Karaikal has another ninety nine. Some were built by the Chola kings between
the 10th and 12th centuries. A sizeable share is dedicated to the deities
of the villages they are located in.
Villiannur
You can locate the architecturally fine sight of the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswara
Temple, 10 kms 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. The Lt. Governor
of Pondicherry ritually joins the heave. A secular practice, carried over
from the French days, when the French Governeurs themselves used to draw
the car out on the streets. Besides, the breath-taking Ousteri lake nearby,
spread over 10 hectares, is home to rare varieties of birds.
Thirunallar Temple
Thirunallar is 5 kms 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 Naki 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 (Shani peyarchi), each time Saturn
moves from one sign of the zodiac to another.
The Varadraja Temple
The Varadaraja Temple (12th century) is the most important Vishnu temple
in town, located just west of Gandhi Road, off Tyagraja Street. Here Narasimha
sits behind Venkatachalapathy, the main deity.
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 above 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 mast and a sea-fairing
tradition. And winds up, 10 days later with a spectacle of floats lit with
electric colours.
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