Varadaraja Temple

Pondicherry is a popular pilgrimage center of India with numerous places of worship of different religions. The Varadaraja Temple in Pondicherry is a well-known Vaishnavite temple. In the temple Lord Narasimha is placed behind Venkatachalapathy, the principal deity. Some of the other famous temples of the region are Ammaiyar Temple, Anandamangalam (Hanuman temple), Thirumarugal, Navagiraga temples, Thiruchengattangudi, Thirunallur Temple, Thirukkannapuram, Thanjai Brahadeeswarar Temple Thirupugazhur.

The architecture of Varadaraja Temple is quite similar to the Vedapureswarar Temple. Lord Vishnu as Varadaraja Perumal and Goddess Lakshmi as Thayar are worshiped in this temple. The temple is situated beside Vedapureswarar Temple and is managed and administered by the same trust. The temple is open to the devotees offering prayers from 6 am to 12.00 in the noon and from 4.00pm to 9.30 pm. It is one of the oldest temples in the town that was built during 12th century. Huge number of devotees of Lord Vishnu visits the temple to receive the blessings of God.

Varadaraja Temple is situated on the west of Gandhi Road, which is off Tyagraja Street. The architecture of the temple reflects the influence of Dravidian style. It has a gopuram that is decorated with bright colors and has a number of beautifully carved pillars.