- Deity
- Saneeswara (Shani) and the Navagrahas
- Main idol
- About 27 feet
- Timings
- 6–11 am, 6–9 pm
- Location
- Pondicherry–Tindivanam road, about 5 km from Pondicherry
- Nearest airport
- Chennai (about 150 km)
- Busiest day
- Saturday
What to see
The temple grounds cover about two acres. Alongside the nine planetary deities are large figures for all 27 nakshatras (stars), as well as Shiva, Ganesha and Vastu Bhagavan, most standing well over head height. The scale is what surprises first-time visitors, and the open grounds make it easy to walk around each idol. Around the complex, 108 trees of different kinds have been planted, many linked to particular stars.
The Sri Pratyangira Devi temple is close by, and many pilgrims visit both on the same trip.
Worship and festivals
Saturdays, sacred to Shani, are the busiest days. Devotees troubled by unfavourable planetary positions perform special pujas for the relevant deity, often offering black cloth, betel leaves, fruit and a puja kit. Sani Pradosham and the new year draw big crowds, and Maasi Magam, Panguni Uthiram and Karthigai Deepam are also celebrated.
Timings and dress
Darshan hours are 6 to 11 in the morning and 6 to 9 in the evening. Traditional, modest clothing is expected: a dhoti or trousers with a shirt for men, and a sari, salwar kameez or churidar with a dupatta for women.
How to reach
You will find it beside the Tindivanam road out of Pondicherry, roughly 5 km from Pondicherry town, so an autorickshaw or taxi is the easiest option. Pondicherry has a railway station and good bus links with Tamil Nadu. Chennai airport is the nearest major airport, about 150 km away, a drive of around three and a half hours. We can include the temple in a Pondicherry trip, or as a stop on the way from Virudhachalam or Chennai.
Also nearby
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