Manakula Vinayagar Temple

Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Manakula Vinayagar Koil is a Hindu temple located in the White Town of Pondicherry. Manakula Vinayagar Koil is more than 500-year-old. With the fact of being one of the oldest shrines in the region, Manakula Vinayagar Koil is counted among highly revered as well as the most popular Hindu temples in Pondicherry.

The name of the temple is derived from two Tamil words 'Manal' which stands for sand and 'Kulam' which refers to the Pond near the sea. The literal meaning of the temple goes back to the time of its construction when there was a pond that was engirdled by sand, and hence, the name Manakula comes.

Throughout the year, the temple is visited by a large pack of devotees to commemorate the Lord. Sprawls over a large area of 7913 sq ft, this shrine boasts a beautiful architectural design which includes a Raja Gopuram, Mandapam, and a Prahara - the place where the images of deities are kept.

With a height of 18 m, the gold laminated Kodi Kambam is the main feature of the entire architecture of the temple. Besides, the temple also depicts the tales and events from Hindu Mythology that are beautifully dotted on the walls. The idol of the presiding deity of the temple rests on a Golden Chariot which is built out of teak wood and gold racks that together proffers an intricate design to this chariot.

Throughout the year, the temple also celebrates several Hindu festivals that mark a heavy gathering of devotees from far and wide. Of those, Ganesh Chaturthi is one major celebration that is observed at the temple with all devotion and ardor. The festival is celebrated in August - September. Besides, another major festivity at Manakula Vinayagar Koil is observed every year during the time of Dussehra.

In this festival, the chariot is carried out in public and devotees come to have a glimpse and also to take blessings of Lord Ganesha. On the whole, a visit to these sacred Hindu shrines in Pondicherry is worth an experience of your time.

History of Manakula Vinayagar Temple

The legend associated with Manakula Vinayagar Koil goes like this, some 300 years ago, there was a saint with the name Thollaikkathu Siddhar who successfully established samadhi inside this temple compound. Since then the temple of Manakula Vinayagar has been considered to be auspicious when bringing an infant to this temple.

Another legend that rotates around this temple tells that the French people constructed a fort at this site in the year 1688 and the Manakula Vinayagar Koil was located right behind this fort. At that time, the site was engirdled with sand, and the shore on which the temple got its name.

Architecture of Manakula Vinayagar Temple

The idol of the Lord Ganesha stands here beautifully, facing towards the east, along with his consorts Buddhi and Siddhi. The idol rests on a golden chariot. The use of teak wood and gold racks gives an exquisite look to the chariot. Around 7.5 kilograms of gold was used in the making of the chariot.

Every year during Dussehra, this chariot is carried out for procession. The temple also features a dancing Ganesh called Narthana Ganapathy.