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Churches
The Eglise de Sacre Coeur de Jesus, situated on the south
boulevard, stands out as an oriental specimen of Gothic splendour. It contains
rare and beautiful stained glass panels depicting events from the life of
Christ.
The Eglise de Notre Dame de la Conception Immaculate, on
Cathedral Street, was first built in 1692. It took its present shape in 1791.
The Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, in Rue Dumas, is notable
for its masonry-which uses the finest of limestone mixed with white of the
egg-making for a texture identical to that of white marble. It is modeled on the
Basilica at Lourdes, in southern France.
 Villiannur
You can locate the architecturally fine sight of the Sri Gokilambal
Thirukameswara Temple, 10kms from Pondicherry. Thousands of devotees converge
here for a ten-day annual festival (Brahmotsavam), held during May-June along
with the appearance of the full moon.
The massive 15m tall temple chariot, basking in finery, is taken out on a
procession by a devout crowd. It's a remarkable sight. Besides, the breath-taking Ousteri lake nearby, spread over 10
hectaresm, is home to rare varieties of birds.
Thirunallur Temple
Thirunallar is 5kms west of Karaikal. The sanctum sanctorum of Lord
Dharbaraneswara Temple holds Siva as the main deity. However, its shrine
dedicated to Saneeswaran (Saturn) which figures in the story of Nala-Damayanti;
makes this the most famous Saturn temple in India.
The blessings of Saturn are said to be overwhelming, while its wrath causes
great misery.
The temple hosts a mammoth festival (Shanti peyarchi), each time Saturn moves
from one sign of the Zodaic to another.
The Varadaraja Temple
The Varadaraja Temple (12the century) is the most important
Vishnu temple in
town, located just west of Gandhi Road, off Tyagaraja Street. Here, Narasimha
sits behind Venkatachalapathy, the main deity.
Vedapureswarar Temple
This 18th century Siva Shrine in Pondicherry houses stone inscriptions and a
swayambhulinga. Recently renovated, the gopuram (tower) is brilliantly colourful.
Karaikal Ammaiyur Temple
Legend says that Lord Siva disguised himself as an ascetic, seeking alms from
a lady called Punithavarthi living in Karaikal. Who later, as Karaika Ammaiyar,
was destined to find an esteemed place among his 63 saints.
An image of this lady saint is housed in a small and beautiful temple erected
right where she lived.
Masthan Saheb Darga
 Dedicated to Masthan Saheb Syed Dawood
Buhari, a Sufi saint who came to
Karaikal from Buhara two centuries ago. He died aged 120, in 1829. Various
miracles are attributed to him. The over-170-year-old Kandhuri Festival
(November) is celebrated in his commemoration. It starts with the hoisting of a
huge flag on a pole-reminiscent of a ship and a sea-faring tradition. And winds
up, 10 days later with a spectacle of floats lit with electric colours.
Manakkula Vinayakar Temple
Located right behind the Raj Nivas in Pondicherry town, this Ganesha temple
has an interesting aside. A neighbouring Frenchman finding the place of worship
of nuisance, made several futile attempts to do away with the deity. Still, it
kept reappearing. Convinced, he turned an active believer.
Therefore, it is also fondly referred to as Vellakkaran (white man) Pillai (Ganesha).
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