Pondicherry is also called as Pondy or Puducherry. The Pranavamoorthy or the Presiding Deity of this Temple is Manakula Vinayagar here.  In olden days this area was like a Kulam or Lake filled with sand and hence the name Manakkula Vinayakar who is seen here with four hands.  Holding Angusam in one hand Paasakayiru in another and with Abayadhana Muthra and Varadhana Muthra in the other two hands.  This Temple was known as Bhuvanesa Vinayagar Temple in the  earlier days and the Presiding Deity, Lord Ganesha was majestic and East facing.  Now the present Temple has been built in an area of more than 7900 square feet.  There is a colourfully painted Rajagopuram along with a Gold Plated Dwajasthambam.  The Urchavar Deity too is found within the Sanctum Sanctorum.  Manakula Vinayagar Blesses all His Devotees and sees that they get rid of all their problems.  A maha mandapam, a madapalli or a Temple kitchen, Temple office and a mini marriage hall are all found within the Temple premises itself.  The ceiling is grogeously decorated and painted by renowned painters.  Tholaikaathu Siddhar who stood a staunch Devotee of Manakula Vinayagar went on to attain Mukthi and Samaadhi here.  Poet Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathi and Swami Aravindhar were some of the famous dignitaries who were followers of this Temple.  Apart from the conventional Hindus, this Temple has staunch Christian followers too from India and from US and other European countries.  In the  recent past a few US citizens joined together and pooled money and got a Diamond Crown for Lord Ganesha.  Some Devotees bring their new born kids to this Temple for naming them.  Likewise many Devotees bring their newly purchansed bicycles, two wheelers, cars and other automobiles and offer Pooja here even before the registration of the vehicle.  This Temple is believed to be more than 500 years old and Lord Dupleix of France had an eye on this Temple and wanted to demolish it many times during his tenure in Pondy but all his attempts went futile due to the strong unity of the Hindus and due to his fear for the Marathas.  This made Lord Dupleix step back all the time.  The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is a Vilva Maram.  The Elephant of this Temple which is made to stand outside amuses the kids and the elderly alike.  The Temple has a Golden Chariot and Vinayaka Chathurthi is celebrated with a great pomp.  

Temple Timing: 6:30 AM - 11 AM and 4:30 PM - 9 PM

Contact Details: 0413 - 233 6544

Distance from Chennai to Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Puduchery is152 Kms

Distance from Pudhuchery New Bus Stand To Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple is 2 Kms

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