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Aurobindo Ashram

Temples & Mosques in Pondicherry Pondicherry is a place of many faiths. The landscape is spotted with around 350 temples. Neighboring Karaikal has another ninety nine. Some were built by the Chola kings between the l0th and l2th centuries. A sizeable share is dedicated to the deities of the villages they are located in.
Villiannur This architectural marvel is situated 10 Kms from Pondicherry. Thousands of devotees converge here for a ten-day annual festival (Brah1lWtsatlam) , held during May -June along with the appearance of the full moon. The massive 15 m tall temple chariot, basking in finery, is taken out on a procession by a devout crowd. It’s a remarkable sight.
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 Nala-Damayanti; makes this the most famous Saturn temple in India.
The Varadaraja 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.
Vedapureeswarr Temple This 18th century Siva Shrine in Pondicherry houses stone inscriptions and a swayambhulinga. Recently renovated, the gopuram is brilliantly colorful.
Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple Legend says that Lord Siva disguised himself as an ascetic, seeking alms from a lady called Punithavathi living in Karaikal. Who later, as Karaikal 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-oldKandhuriFestival (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-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 story attached to it. A neighboring Frenchman finding the place of worship a nuisance, made several futile attempts to do away with the deity but it kept reappearing. Convinced, he turned an active believer. Therefore, it is also fondly referred to as Vellakkaran (White man) Pillai (Ganesha).
Overview : Pondicherry Beaches : Beach Promenade Beach , Chunabar Things To Do : Tours Seaside, Treks, Packages, Walks, Shopping and Pottery: , Eating Out Places Close By : Villianur, Tiruvandar & Bahur, Gingee (75 kms) & Chidambaram (74 kms), Point Calimere & Karaikal , Kancheepuram (130 kms), Mamallapuram (98 kms), Thanjavur (100 kms) & Tiruvannamalai (105 kms), Nagore (12 kms) & Tharangambadi (12 kms), Velankanni (29 kms), Pitchavaram (70 kms) & Kumbakonam (60 kms) Aurobindo Ashram : SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM, AUROVILLE