Sri Ganga Varaaha Nadheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கங்கவராக நதீஸ்வரர் ஆலயம், Thirukanji, Villianur, Puducherry.

The visit to this Sri Ganga Varaha Nadheeswarar Temple at Thirukanji, Villianur, in Puducherry was part of “Shiva, Vishnu and Buddhist Temples Visit in Puducherry, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli Districts”, from 8^th to 10^th April 2026. The Sri Ganga Varaha Nadheeswarar Temple at Thirukanji, a part of Puducherry, is on the banks of the Gingee River, also called the Varaha River.

Moolavar  : Sri Ganga Varaha Nadheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Kamakshi Amman and Sri Meenakshi Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces west with a 5-tier Rajagopuram, and 3-tier Rajagopurams are on the south and north sides. Vinayagar and Murugan sannidhis are on either side of the west side of the Rajagopuram. Kodimarathu Vinayagar, Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are in the open mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is of “Shodasa Lingam” (In Sanskrit, Shodasa means 6 flat surfaces, Dhara Lingam). In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In praharam, Kasi Vishwanathar, Agasthiyar with Lobamudra, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Natarajar with Sivakami, Sarabeswarar in a Gajaprishta Vimana sannidhi, Palliyarai, Kala Bairavar, Navagrahas, Saniswarar Chandran, Suryan, Sri Lakshmi Varahar (A Maha Vishnu Temple), 63var, Jyeshta Devi, Mangala Varahi, Thundi Vinayagar, and Meenakshi Amman.

Agasthiyar with his consort Lobamudra

Jyeshta Devi

Varahi

 Dakshinamurthy

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram, and the vimanam above the bhumi desam was built with bricks. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of plain valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The vesara vimanam above bhumi desam is of one tala with greevam and Dravida sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

Natarajar Sannidhi

Sarabeswarar temple

The Sarabeswarar temple faces south with the sanctum sanctorum and open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The bhitti is plain without koshtas. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of plain valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. An eka tala Gajaprishta vimanam is above the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Sarabeswarar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, and Murugan are in the greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple belongs to the Chozha period. Due to a flood in the river, the temple was completely damaged, and the Shiva Lingam was found in the middle of the river. The Shiva Lingam was brought to this place, and the present temple was constructed in recent years.

LEGENDS

Moolavar was worshipped by Agasthiya Maharishi. In ancient times, this place was believed to be equivalent to Kasi and Rameswaram.

Since the Sankarapani River flows from south to north, this temple is equivalent to Kasi. It is good to do dharpanam for the departed souls on the banks of the Sankaraparani River.

A Devotee, on the way to Kasi with his father’s asthi, turned to flower at this place. Hence this place is called as “காசிக்கு வீசம் பெற்ற திருத்தலம்”.

This is one of the Shiva temples, where Sri Kamakshi and Sri Meenakshi are present in this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Theipirai Ashtami, Theipirai Panchami, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Thai Poosam, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Hanuman Jayanti, etc.

Managala Aarti is conducted on Saturdays at the Sankaraparani River, also called the Varaha River.

PC- website

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The temple website

https://srigangaivaranatheeshwar.blogspot.com/2019/02/welcome-to-sri-gangaivara-natheeshwar.html

The head Priest’s mobile number, +919047484555, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Villianur, is a part of Puducherry, 8.6 km from the bus stand, 9.2 km from the Puducherry Railway Station, 21.7 km from Cuddalore, and 30 km from Viluppuram.

The nearest Railway Station is Puducherry.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Maha Vishnu Sannidhi

Maha Vishnu Sannidhi

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Sametha Sri Kasi Vishvanathar Temple/ அருள்மிகு ஸ்ரீ காசி விசாலாக்ஷி சமேத ஸ்ரீ காசி விஸ்வநாதர் திருக்கோயில், Villianur, Puducherry.

The visit to this Sri Kasi Vishwanathar Temple at Villianur, in Puducherry, was part of “Shiva, Vishnu and Buddhist Temples Visit in Puducherry, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli Districts”, from 8^th to 10^th April 2026. This place is also called as Thirukashi (காசியினும் வீசமிகு திருக்காசி ஷேத்திரம்).

Moolavar  : Sri Kasi Vishvanathar

Consort    : Sri Vishalakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram and a mukha mandapam on the south side. Stucco images of Vinayagar, Shiva, Parvati, and Murugan are on the top of the mukha mandapam. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram (South side). A stucco image of Shiva and Parvati's marriage is on the top of the entrance to the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is small on a round avudaiyar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Shiva Lingam with Ambal (Hope this Ambal may be the original one), Chandikeswarar, Chandran Suryan, Bairavar, Navagrahas, and Annapoorani.

Maybe the original Ambal

Annapoorani

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with bricks and cement concrete from adhistanam to sigaram. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with lotus petals and kapotam with nasi kudus. The vesara vimanam above bhumi desam is of two tiers with greevam and vesara sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is claimed that the temple is more than 1000 years old, but to prove the same, no evidence is available at the temple. Considering the iconography of the Ambal deity in the praharam, the original temple may be 500 to 600 years old, ie, the latter Chozha period.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 15^th May 2005

LEGENDS

It is believed that this temple is considered equivalent to Kashi. Hence this place is also called as Thirukashi (காசியினும் வீசமிகு திருக்காசி ஷேத்திரம்). The devotees do the rituals for their ancestors and departed souls. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Ashtami, Sankadahara Chaturthi, pournami, Amavasya, Pongal, Thaipoosam, Skanda Sashti, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

 

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number of Sivacahariyar Pradeep Shivam +919626536469 or Srinuvasa Sivachariyar‘s mobile number +919345456810 may be contacted.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Villianur, is a part of Puducherry, 8.6 km from the bus stand, 9.2 km from the Puducherry Railway Station, 21.7 km from Cuddalore, and 30 km from Viluppuram.

The nearest Railway Station is Puducherry.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Kokilambigai Udanurai Sri Thirukameswarar Temple / ஶ்ரீ கோகிலாம்பிகை உடனுறை ஶ்ரீ திருக்காமேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், Villianur, Puducherry.

The visit to this Sri Thirukameswarar Temple at Villianur, in Puducherry, was part of “Shiva, Vishnu and Buddhist Temples Visit in Puducherry, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli Districts”, from 8^th to 10^th April 2026. This temple is on the banks of the Sankaraparani River.

Moolavar  : Sri Kameswarar

Consort    : Sri Kokilambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance mandapam. Stucco images of Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Saraswati and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar are on the top of the mukha mandapam. The 5-tier Rajagopuram is after the east side entrance mandapam. Vinayagar and Murugan sannidhis are on either side of the east side of the Rajagopuram. Nandi, with his consort, is on the left side of the Rajagopuram passage. Balipeedam, Dwajasthamabm and Rishabam are on the east side of the Rajagopuram.

Dwarapalakas with simhas are on either side of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudaiyar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate temple with koshta murtis of Ambal’s various forms. Dwarapalakis are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. 

In the praharam, Nalvar, Santhana Kuravars, 63var, Utsavars, Vinayagars, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Pancha Lingas, Sahasrara Lingam, Sri Valli Devasena Muthukumara Swamy, Chandikeswarar, Natarajar, Kokilambigai, Palliyarai, Esanya Lingam, Nagars, Chandran, Suryan, Maha Saraswati, Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Maha Lakshmi, and Aiyyappan. In the outer praharam, Natya mandapam, Navagrahas, and Bairavar.   

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to Prastaram, and the vimanam above the bhumi desam was constructed with bricks. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum has a jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with lotus petals and kapotam with nasi kudus. The vesara vimanam is of two tiers with greevam and vesara sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

The maha mandapam pillars are with horse riders

The south side Rajagopuram is of 7 tiers with beautiful sculptures, which include Shiva Leelas, Veerabhadra, Alingna Murti, Gajasamhara Murti, Bikshadanar, etc.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple belongs to the 11^th century, the Chozha period. There are about 44 inscriptions recorded from this temple. These inscriptions belong to Kulothunga Chozha, Pandyas, Sambuvarayars and French rule (1080 CE to 1880 CE)

As per the inscriptions, this place was called Jayangonda Chozha Mandalathu Mathur Nattu OzhukaraipaRRu Villiyanallur, Videl Vidugu Chaturvedimangalam (From Thiruvaamathur Temple inscriptions), Thiruneetruchozha Nallur, Thirukami Nallur, Kulothunga Chozha Nallur. Shiva was called Valliyanallur Thirukamechuramudaiya Nayanar and Valliyanallur Nayanar.

The Vijayanagara King Veeraprataba Devaraya Maharayar’s inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp at Chandeswarar Sannidhi, for which a land was gifted as Thirunamaththukani.

Thiribhuvana Chakravarthikal Konerimaikondan Kulothunga Chozha’s 13^th reign-year inscription records the gift of land and 2500 kalam paddy for the Flowering Garden / nandavanam, Thirumadaivilakam, and Thirukulam/ temple tank.

During the Kopperunjingan period (1249 CE), the accounts were verified by the Government officials.

In the Vijayanagara King Achutha Devaraya period, 1542 CE, after the Kaikolars left the village, the Thalaiyaris were investigated, and the problem was solved. Herders, who rear the cattle, are taxed based on the tail, called the Tail Tax.

In the Vijayanagara King Kumarakampanna period, 1370 CE, one of his General Saluvamangu Deva Maharajana’s inscriptions on the south wall records the gift of 12 ma of land in Olukalarai.

Two inscriptions of Vijayanagara Ariyana Udayar I’s reign, year 1379 CE, on the south wall of palliyarai, record the gift of 10 ma of land, and another inscription records the gift of 500 kuli lands to this temple by Vaniyan Malai Pillai alias Thennatteriyan of Ulanthai for burning a perpetual lamp.

During the Vijayanagara King Ariyena Udayar’s period, 1318 CE, an inscription on the east wall of the maha mandapa records the donations made for the celebration of the Theerthavari festival on Panguni Thirunal day. The donations are collected as taxes on cattle, viz., ½ money for a cow, ¾ money for the she buffalo, ¼ money for the he buffalo, and ½ money for sheep.

During the Vijayanagara king Savana Maharaja’s period, 1378 CE and 1399, two inscriptions on the east wall of the maha mandapam record the gift of dry and wet land taxes, fish pond tax, Chekku tax and 60 panams, to celebrate the Adi festival.

The Vijayanagara King Virupaksha II’s period, 1472 CE, inscription on the north wall of the ardha mandapam records the gift of lands at Chozhanallur alias Vannarakkallai by Kattari Saluvanaresinga Udayar, Mahamandaleswara of Thondai Mandalam.  

The rest of the inscriptions belong to Achuthadevaraya, the younger brother of Krishna Devaraya (1532 CE and 1536 CE), Achyutaraya, on the northern side of the second prahara eastern entry, Sadasivaraya’s 9^th reign year 1542 CE on the east wall of maha mandapa, Sriranga I’s 4^th reign year 1575 CE on the north wall of maha mandapa, and Venkata II’s reign inscription on the east wall of the east gopura inner sides of Vinayagar shrine. 

The Vijayanagar period inscriptions, after Sri Ranga III, returned to Tirupati, are without the King’s name, which includes both Tamil and Telugu. One such inscription on the north wall of the maha mandapam, without the king’s name, records donations made by one Padmanabha for sriseva (During Muslim’s invasion).

Ref

1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume – 7, Sl. Nos 815 and 816.

2. வரலாற்றில் வில்லியனூர், புலவர் ந வெங்கடேசன்.

3. புதுச்சேரி மாவட்ட ஊரும் பேரும், கி. இளங்கோவன்

4. An article “Glimpses of Villiyanur of Puducherry from the light of epigraphical sources”, by G Gomthy, Asst Professor of History, Kunthavai Nachiar, Govt. Arts college for women, Thanjavur.

Thirupani for the temple chariot was carried out at Rs 421304.00.

An 1880 CE French period inscription records the strengthening and maintenance of old buildings and Gopuram, during the French administration DE, De M Leyonce Laugier, officer De Legion Dhonneur ET De Linstruction Publique, Gouverneur Civil De L’s Francaise.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 05^th February 1987.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Shiva is being worshipped by the Siddhars even to this day.

Devotees worship Shiva to get rid of marriage obstacles, chronic diseases, Poorva Janma doshas, debts, and Sathru fear. Worshipping Shiva of this temple will get wealth, child boon, increase life, blessings of pithru, blessings from Shiva and Siddhars.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Ashtami, Sankadahara Chaturthi, pournami, Amavasya, Pongal, Thaipoosam, Skanda Sashti, etc.

Every pournami day from 15.00 hrs to 22.00 hrs, a 12 km procession will be conducted from the temple tank, Sankaraparani River Haarati.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline number +914132666396 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Villianur, is a part of Puducherry, 8.6 km from the bus stand, 9.2 km from the Puducherry Railway Station, 21.7 km from Cuddalore, and 30 km from Viluppuram.

The nearest Railway Station is Puducherry.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---