Introduction

About 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Pondicherry, Villaiayanur is a quaint town spread over more than 65 square kilometer, famous for the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple. Dating back to the Chola dynasty, this beautiful temple has an idol of Lord Shiva, and shrines of local deities Murugan and Devi. Lauded as one of the finest architectural marvels in Pondicherry, the temple in the months of May-June is thronged by devotees for a ten-day annual festival called Brahmothsavam. During the festivities, a lavishly decorated temple chariot, about 15 meters high (19.5 feet), is carried out in a cheerful procession around the town. It is truly an awe-inspiring sight!

Special Attributes

The temple is one of the finest architectural specimens in Pondicherry.

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Wear fully covered clothes since it is a religious site.

Connectivity

You can hire a private taxi or take an auto-rickshaw from Pondicherry city centre to Villaiayanur.

Enjoyed by

Families, Backpackers, Senior Citizens

Exposure

You will mostly be under the open sky. On a summer afternoon you will be exposed to a harsh sun, so it is advisable to wear fully covered clothes, dab loads of sunscreen lotion, put on your sunshades and carry along a bottle of drinking water.

Avoidable Season

April, May, June, July, August, September

Facilities

Basic, plan accordingly

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

The tour could involve some bit of walking around Villaiayanur, so it is advisable to put on your walking shoes.

Type of site

Temple site