Villanur Temple Car Festival

The Villanur Temple Car Festival is celebrated in Pondicherry on the ninth day of a ten day festival in the Tamil month of Vaikashi, corresponding to the Gregorian months of May - June . A decorated car carrying the deity of Sri Gokilambal Thirukamemswarara kukilambal is taken out in a colorful procession amidst thousand of devotees. The 15 meter high car or chariot or 'rath' is decorated heavily with colorful flowers and the lord sits amidst all the beauty.

The car festival of Villanur temple is celebrated on the full moon day and resembles quite like the renowned Car festival of Puri. The devotees of Thirukamemswarara kukilambal pull the car with the help of the auspicious rope and a touch of the rope is highly regarded by the devout devotees. The Villanur Temple Car Festival basically celebrates the power, mercy, kindness and benevolence of the lord. These ten days of the festival turns the people of Pondicherry in a mood of absolute frenzy.

The Villanur temple in itself is very important in the religious fabric of Pondicherry. Located at a distance of 10 kms from the main town of Pondicherry, the procession comes out of the Villianur temple from the village of the same name. The temple is very peaceful and serene but on this day, thousands flock the temple and it becomes a place of fun and festivity. It is an annual festival, also known as Brahmotsavam. The devotees offer sandal, curd, milk and buttermilk for distribution among the crowd in the honor of the Lord.