- Deity
- Goddess Kanniga Parameswari (Shakti)
- Timings
- 6 am to 11 am, 5 pm to 8 pm
- Location
- MG Road, Puducherry
- Busiest time
- Fridays and the Aadi month
- Nearest international airport
- Chennai
Architecture
The goddess's shrine, the sanctum and the vimana above it are carved in the Dravidian manner. The pillars, with their decorative designs, and the stained-glass paintings are in a French style, reflecting the town's colonial past. Fine sculptures and painted details reward a slow look around.
Worship and offerings
Devotees come to pray for a happy married life and for children. Common offerings include garlands of lemons, kumkum, turmeric and red saris for the goddess. Fridays are especially busy, when many local families perform special pujas.
Festivals
The Tamil month of Aadi (July to August) is the busiest time of year at the temple, and Navaratri is celebrated with special decorations. Diwali and Pongal are also observed.
- Aadi festival
- Navaratri
- Diwali
- Pongal
Timings and dress
Morning darshan runs from 6 am until 11 am, and the doors reopen at 5 pm, closing at 8 pm. There is no formal dress code, but clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is appreciated. Leave footwear outside.
How to reach and nearby
The temple is on MG Road in central Puducherry, a short auto or taxi ride from the bus stand and the railway station. Buses run frequently from Chennai, and Chennai has the closest international airport, with Puducherry's small airport handling limited domestic flights. Two other shrines, Sri Varadaraja Perumal and Chetty Pillayar, are within easy reach, so you can visit all three in one outing. Evenings, when the lamps are lit and the Friday crowds gather, show the temple at its most lively. We can add it to a Puducherry heritage and temple walk.
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