Sri Ganga Varaga Nadeeswarar Temple is a huge Temple built in a whopping area in Thirukanji situated in Puducherry. There are multiple entrances to this Temple. There is a three tier North facing entrance looking towards River Sankarabarani. Facing the West is a five tiered Rajagopuram. To the left of this Rajagopuram is a Sub Shrine of Sri Raja Ganapathy and to the right of this Rajagopuram is another Sub Shrine of Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Siva Shanmugar. At the outset there is a West facing Sub Shrine of Sri Kodimarathu Vinayagar who has to be Prayed initially before entering the Moolasthanam. Like all other Shiva Temples there is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam, a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram and a Nandhi Vaahanam facing the Moolasthanam. The entire flooring leading to the Moolasthanam is neatly tiled. The threshold of the Moolasthanam including that of the few steps looks dazzling since they are all gold plated. There are two huge coloured Idols of Dwara Baalakas who stand guard before the Moolasthanam. There are Idols of Sri Dwara Ganapathy and Sri Dwara Subramaniyar on either side of the Dwara Baalaka Idols. In the Sanctum Sanctorum Sri Ganga Varaha Natheeswarar is seen in the form a West facing Swayambhu Shiva Lingam. It is very rare for any one to see a West facing Shiva Lingam and hence He is called as Shodasha Shiva LIngam and the Pooja offering thus done to Him is known as Shodashopachara Pooja. It is believed that Sri Ganga Varaga Natheeswarar seen in the Sanctum Sanctorum has 16 stripes on Him which is very rare and unique. There is a general belief that Sage Agasthiyar had come to Thirukanji and had installed and Prayed to the Presiding Deity of Sri Ganga Varaga Nadeeswarar. Devotees coming to this Temple would be amazed to see Sri Ganga Vaaraha Nadheeswarar who looks splendid with His Naagabharanam. The Consort of Sri Ganga Varaga Natheeswarar is known as Sri Kamakshi Ambal. There is a South facing Shrine for Sri Kamatchi Ambal who is seen in a standing posture. Facing the Shrine of Sri Kamakshi Ambal is a small Dwajasthambam, a Neivedhya Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam. His other Consort is Sri Meenakshi Ambal whose Shrine is East facing. Sri Meenakshi Ambal is seen in Her Shrine in a standing posture. Around the Koshtam of Sri Genga Varaga Nadheeswarar the Idols of Sri Durgai, Brahmma, Chandikeshwarar, Lingothbhavar, Dhakshinamoorhy and Nadana Ganapathy are seen. 

The outer peripheral of the Temple has an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Thundi Ganapathy. Likewise there is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Kasi Viswanathar who is seen in the form of a Shiva Lingam. His Consort Sri Kasi Visalakshi too is seen together with Him. Next to this is the East facing Sub Shrine in which Sage Agasthiyar is seen along with Sri Lobhamuthirai. The next East facing Sub Shrine in the outer peripheral is that of Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Subramaniyar who are seen in a standing posture.

The Sub Shrine of Sri Natarajar is South facing and the Gopuram has an Idol of Sri Natarajar along with the Rishaba Vaahanams. In His Sub Shrine Sri Natarajar is seen along with His Consort Sri Sivagami Ambal and Saint Manickavasagar. The next South facing Sub Shrine is that of Raahu and Kethu. There is a South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Sarabeshwarar and to the rear of this Sub Shrine is the Temple's Alankaara Mandapam. The Temple has a South facing Palliyarai and the Sub Shrine of Sri Kaala Bhairavar who is seen in a standing posture.

Close to this is the Navagraha Sannadhi and to the rear of this Navagraha Sannadhi is a Vanni Maram. A West facing Idol of Vanni Mara Vinayagar is kept beneath this Vanni Maram. A Shiva Lingam is kept on a podium which is bult around an Atthi Maram. The Sanneswaran Sannadhi of this Temple is West facing and He is called by the name Pongu Saneeswaran. Next to this is a West facing Yaaga Saalai. There are Idols of Surya Bhagwan and Chandra Bhagwan who are West facing. 

There is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Lakshmi Varaahar and their Urchavamoorthy Idol is also seen within the Sub Shrine. A West facing Garudalwar Idol and a Neivedhya Peedam are seen facing Sri Lakshmi Vaarahar. Close to the Garudalwar Idol is another small West facing Idol of Sri Anjaneya Swamy. The story behind Sri Lakshmi Varaahar can be elucidated as follows. Sage Agasthiyar could not find water when He was in Thirukanji and so He prayed to Shiva for it. Hence Shiva sent Ganga to Thirukanji through Sri Varaahar and offered Sage Agasthiyar the request that He had asked for. 

The outer peripheral has a North facing Sub Shrine in which the 63 Naayanmaars are neatly arranged side by side. The most sought after Sub Shrine of this Temple is that of Sri Mangala Vaarahi. In this North facing Sub Shrine Sri Mangala Vaarahi is seen in a standing posture. Quite close to the Maha Mandapam is a North facing Sub Shrine comprising of Appar, Sundarar, Thirugnana Sammandhar and Manikavasagar. 

Beyond the North facing Rajagopuram The Temple authorities have erected a huge tin sheet roofing which is meant for doing Divine Rituals on selected days. There is also a Gangai Amman Idol looking towards the North facing Rajagopuram. This Gangai Amman Idol is seated on a Crocodile podium. To the rear of this Gangai Amman Idol flows the River Sankarabharani and the Temple authorities have built four huge Padithurai in which ceremonial functions pertaining to the Temple could be conducted. The entire area is kept absolutely clean. The Temple has a Madapalli or a Temple Kitchen for making Prasadams. The Temple has a huge South facing Kalai Arangam which looks so impressive. During festive days many Devotees could be made to sit before it with ease. The Temple also has a huge Kalyana Mandapam built on the other side of the road. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is Vanni Tree and Atthi Tree and the Sacred Tank or Pushkarani is River Sankarabarani. The Temples Chariot is also safely secured outside the Temple premises. Purattasi Navarathri, Aavani Moolam, Chithirai Vishu, Aadi Thapasu, Thaipoosam, Panguni Brahmmothsavam, Pradosham, Maha Shivarathiri, Thei Pirai Ashtami, Panchami are the festivals that are celebrated in a grand manner.

Contact Details: 72005 58114, Saravanan Sivachariar 90474 84555 and EO 93454 31975

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 11.30 AM and 4.30 PM to 8.30 PM

Distance from Vikravandi to Pondicherry is 35 Kms

Distance from Thirukovilur to Pondicherry is 87 Kms

Distance from Thiruvannamalai or Tiruvannamalai to Pondicherry is 112 Kms

Distance from Thiruthuraiyur to Pondicherry is 45 Kms

Distance from Panruti to Pondicherry is 49 Kms

Distance from Vadalur to Pondicherry is 63 Kms

Distance from Chidambaram to Pondicherry is 69 Kms

Distance from Cuddalore to Pondicherry is 23 Kms

Distance from Sirkali to Pondicherry is 94 Kms

Distance from Kumbakonam to Pondicherry is 141 Kms

Distance from Thirunageswaram to Pondicherry is 144 Kms

Distance from Srivanchiyam to Pondicherry is 148 Kms

Distance from Thiruvamathur to Pondicherry is 52 Kms

Distance from Annamputhur to Pondicherry is 33 Kms

Distance from Thirunavalur to Pondicherry is 64 Kms

Distance from Rishivandiyam to Pondicherry is 114 Kms

Distance from Valikandapuram to Pondicherry is 135 Kms

Distance from Tiruchirapalli to Pondicherry is 201 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Pondicherry is 178 Kms

Distance from Kancheepuram to Pondicherry is 123 Kms

Distance from Vandavasi to Pondicherry is 80 Kms

Distance from Polur to Pondicherry is 123 Kms

Distance from Cheyyar to Pondicherry is 101 Kms

Distance from Vellore to Pondicherry is 158 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Pondicherry is 165 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Villianur R.S.

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