Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Pondicherry

Timings

6 am to 12 noon, 4 pm to 9 pm

Address

MG Road, Puducherry

Nearest railway station

Puducherry

Nearest airport

Chennai (about 3 hours by road)

Busiest days

Saturdays in Purattasi

What makes it special

The temple displays images of all 108 forms of Vishnu worshipped at the Divya Desams, the sacred shrines praised by the Alvar saints, so devotees can pay respects to all of them in one place. Many families bring infants here for their first feeding of rice, the annaprasanam, in front of the deity, trusting Vishnu to protect the child's health.

Devotees offer tulasi garlands, ghee, sandal paste, new clothes and sweet payasam, and arrange thirumanjanam, the ritual bath of the deity. Giving food and clothing to the poor around the temple is also common.

Festivals

The temple is crowded on all Saturdays of the Tamil month of Purattasi (September–October), which are sacred to Vishnu. Vaikunta Ekadasi in Margazhi brings long queues from before dawn to pass through the Paramapada Vasal, the gateway to heaven, and Garuda Sevai processions draw large crowds in the streets around the temple.

• Brahmotsavam
• Vaikunta Ekadasi
• Garuda Sevai
• Rama Navami festival
• Purattasi Saturdays

Timings and tips

Darshan hours are 6 am–12 noon and 4–9 pm. Wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees. Evenings are pleasant, when the lamps are lit and the street outside is lively. Photography inside the sanctum is not allowed, and footwear must be left at the counter near the entrance. Nearby, the Vedapureeswarar temple and the Kanniga Parameswari temple make a short temple walk.

How to reach

The temple is within walking distance of the Puducherry bus stand, and Puducherry railway station has direct trains to Chennai and other cities. Chennai airport is about three hours away by road. Puducherry is under two hours' drive from Virudhachalam, and we can pair this temple with a visit to Thiruvahindrapuram and Auroville.

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