Arulmigu Chetty Koil / அருள்மிகு செட்டி கோயில் / Sri Kaalatheeswarar koil /ஸ்ரீ காலத்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, புதுச்சேரி/ Puducherry (A Union Territory).

The visit to this Sri Kalatheeswarar Temple at Puducherry was a part of “Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples of Puducherry” on 06^th March 2026. This temple is on Mission Street, Puducherry, also known as “Chetti Kovil”.

Moolavar  : Sri Kalatheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Gnanambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Saraswati, and Ayyappan are on the top of the mukha mandapam. Vinayagar and Murugan sannidhis are at the entrance of mukha mandapam.

Shiva Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum is a little short of a round avudaiyar. A Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam, Nalvar, 63var, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar,  Natarajar, Chandikeswarar, Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi,  Navagrahs, Shaniswaran, Nagars, Suriyan, and Bairavar.

Ambal Sri Gnanambigai is in a separate sannidhi that faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

SRI VARADARAJA PERUMAL TEMPLE

Moolavar    : Sri Varadaraja Perumal

Thayar       : Sri Maha Lakshmi

Some of the salient features of the temple are...

Sri Varadaraja Perumal is in a separate temple on the north side of the Shiva temple, facing east. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Garudan are in front of the mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Maha Lakshmi, Sri Varadaraja Perumal under Adiseshan with Sridevi & Bhudevi and Andal are on the top of the mukha mandapam. In the sanctum sanctorum, Sri Varadaraja Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi.

Rajagopuram view from inside- the stucco images are related to Vaishnavam

ARCHITECTURE (Shiva Temple)

The total temple was constructed with brick and cement concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikal. The pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. A two-tier vimanam with greevam and vesara sigaram is on the bhumi desam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

Since the temple complex consists of both Shiva and Vishnu temples, the Rajagopuram has Shaivism stucco images on the front side and Vaishnavism stucco images on the inner side.

 The front view of Rajagopuram - stucco images are connected to Shaivism

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This Sri Kalatheeswarar temple is also called Chetti Koil. This temple was constructed by the Ayira Vaishya (Chetti) Community of Puducherry. The maha mandapam was gifted by Suburaya Chettiar’s son, Ponnusamy Chettiar.

Jeernodharan Ashta bandhana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 11^th June 2003.

The Amman temple 3-tier Rajagopuram, Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple entrance and a 3-tier Rajagopuram were constructed, and Jeernodharana Swarna bhandhana Rajabandhana ashta bandhana Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 05^th February 2022.

LEGENDS

The legend applicable to Kalahasti is also applicable to this temple. Since Shiva was worshipped by a snake (kala) and a Hasti (Elephant), Shiva is called Kalahastheeswarar. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Navratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Amavasya, Pournami, Vaikunta Keadasi,

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.15 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is in Puducherry, Mission Street, 2.5 km from Puducherry Railway Station, 40 km from Villupuram, and 42 km from Tindivanam.

The nearest Railway Station is Puducherry. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple/ ஸ்ரீ வரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோவில், புதுச்சேரி/ Puducherry (A Union Territory).

The visit to this Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple, at Puducherry, was a part of “Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples of Puducherry” on 06^th March 2026. This Perumal temple is on Mahatma Gandhi Road, Puducherry, about 100 meters away from the Sri Vedapuriswarar Temple. 

Moolavar  : Sri Varadaraja Perumal

Consort    : Sri Perundevi Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank is on the back side of the temple. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Maha Lakshmi, Sri Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi & Bhudevi, and Andal are on the top of the mukha mandapam. In the sanctum sanctorum, Sri Varadaraja Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi.

Sri Perundevi Thayar is in a separate temple on the right side of the main temple and faces east. Thayar is in a sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In the praharam, Alwars, Andal, and Vahana Mandapam, etc.

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was constructed with brick and cement concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and adhistanam. The pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. A two-tier vimanam with greevam and vesara sigaram is on the bhumi desam. Maha Vishnu’s various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

Maha Vishnu’s Dasavatar, 108 Divya Desam, etc, stucco bas-relief and paintings are on the walls of the mandapam and praharam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple is 300 to 40 years old and it was reconstructed in recent years. In 1974, Maha Samprokshanam was conducted along with new Utsava murtis and gold kacham. The mandapam was constructed and consecrated on 24th April 1992.

The foundation stone for the 5-tier Rajagopuram was laid on 13th November 1995, and ashta bandhana maha samrokshanam was conducted on 06^th July 1996.

Jeernodharana ashta bandhana samrokshanam was conducted on 20^th January 2016.

Both Sri Vedapuresswarar and this temple are under the same trustees.

Starting of Rajagopuram and samprokshanam inscriptions

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Masi Maham theerthavari at sea, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.15 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is in Puducherry, Mahatma Gandhi Road, 2.5 km from Puducherry Railway Station, 40 km from Villupuram, and 42 km from Tindivanam.

The nearest Railway Station is Puducherry. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Shri Vedapuriswarar Sivan Temple /ஶ்ரீ வேதபுரீசுவரர் சிவன் கோயில், புதுச்சேரி/ Puducherry (A Union Territory).

The visit to this Sri Vedapuriswarar temple at Puducherry was a part of “Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples of Puducherry” on 06^th March 2026. The temple is on Mahatma Gandhi Road, Puducherry, about 100 meters away from the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple. 

Moolavar  : Sri Vedapuriswarar

Consort    : Sri Tripura Sundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank is on the back side of the temple. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Shiva, and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Saraswati, and Ayyappanare on the top of the mukha mandapam. Vinayagar and Murugan sannidhis are at the entrance of mukha mandapam.

Shiva Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum is a little short on a round avudaiyar. A Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In praharam Nalvar, 63var both metal and stone, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Palliyarai with Dwarapalakas, library, and Natarajar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahs, Shaniswaran, Nagars, Suriyan, and Bairavar.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi that faces south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was constructed with brick and cement concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikal. The pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. A two-tier vimanam with greevam and vesara sigaram is on the bhumi desam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

Paintings of Shiva’s dance, Ambal, and Shiva’s various forms are on the ceiling of the mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per Wikipedia, the temple was destroyed by French troops and Indian subcontinental peoples in religious riots between Hindus and Christians in 1748 CE. During that time, the Utsava murtis are kept in the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple. After the riots, the same was reconstructed in 1788 CE, which was recorded by Ananda Ranga Pillai.

The temple tank was gifted by Kalichi Nathamuththu in 1830.

Both Sri Vedapuresswarar and Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temples are under the same trustees.

The temple tank was gifted by Kalichi Nathamuththu in 1830

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Amavasya, Pournami, Masi Maham theerthavari at sea, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.15 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is in Puducherry, Mahatma Gandhi Road, 2.5 km from Puducherry Railway Station, 40 km from Villupuram, and 42 km from Tindivanam.

The nearest Railway Station is Puducherry.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Avudainambi Eswarar Temple/ Arulmigu aavudainambiesan shivan temple /அருள்மிகு ஆவுடைநம்பிஈசன் திருக்கோவில், வடக்குப்பட்டு/ Vadakkupattu, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Avudainambi Eswarar Temple at Vadakkupattu, where the Archaeological Survey of India did excavations in 2022, in Kanchipuram District, was part of the 601^st week abhishekam, by the Ancient Shiva Temples, Sivamayam Group, on 10th May 2026. The temple is on the outskirts of the village Vadakkupattu, near the Thamarai Kuttai (a small pond).

Moolavar: Sri Avudainambi Eswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a deepa sthambam and Rishabam. Moolavar is on a square avudaiyar. The moolavar with avudaiyar is about 6 feet tall.

There is no koshta and Parivara murtis.

ARCHITECTURE

The Shiva Lingam with Rishabam is installed in a Meta colour sheet mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is claimed that the temple is 5000 years old, and there is no evidence available to prove its antiquity. It is said that the Shiva Lingam was unearthed from the pond and installed, just a few feet from the present place. The same was shifted to the present position when the surrounding land was taken over by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). 

The excavation was carried out for about 3 months, starting from 3^rd June 2022. The excavation was done in two places in the same village. The materials found belong to the middle of the Stone Age (4000 BCE to 2000 BCE), stone tools, pieces of ornaments in stone, glass, Gold, etc., bangle pieces, pieces of  Amphora &  Row let potteries,  pieces of Roman potteries, terracotta dolls, terracotta seals, Iron articles /materials, etc.  Also, the base of the brick masonry structure was found in one of the excavated pits. For the detailed post, please click this link.  

Stone beads

Gold ornament

In addition to the archaeological site, Ayyanar, Srivatsam and a Pallava period Maha Vishnu sculptures are scattered around this temple. From this evidence, a Shiva Temple and a Maha Vishnu temple might have existed in this place, maybe in the 8^th to 9^th century CE, Pallava period. For the detailed post, please click this link.

  Pallava period Maha Vishnu - Sculpted out of Sandstone

 Ayyanar

Srivatsam

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, no special poojas are conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since the temple is in the form of a shed, darshan of Shiva can be done at any time.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Poojari, Mr Saravanam, may be contacted on his mobile number +918870545882 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the old Archaeological Site and Tharamari Kttai of Vadakkupattu.

The place Vadakkupattu is about 4.7 km from Oragadam to Singaperumal Koil, 8.4 km from Oragadam, 12.2 km from Singaperumal Koil, 19 km from Walajabad, 16 km from Chengalpattu, and 32 km from Tambaram.

The nearest Railway Station is Singaperumal Koil.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---