Puducherry Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple or Sri Kokilambigai Vudanurai Sri Thirukameswarar Temple or Kameshwarar Temple or Villianur Temple is an ancient Lord Shiva Temple located in E-Car Street, Villianur, Puducherry. Lord Thirukameshwara is the main deity and worshipped in Shivalinga form. There are separate shrines for Goddess Parvati and she is worshipped as Gokilambal Amman in this temple. The temple was built in the Dravidian style of architecture.
The lingam is made of clay and covered with bronze armor when priests perform abhishekas and other pujas. Each day, the temple priests perform three times a day. Each puja includes a sacred bath (abhisheka), dressing (Alangaram), a food offering (Naivethanam) and showing the lamp and worshiping (Deepa Aradanai) to Thirukameshwara and Gokilambal. On Mondays and Fridays, Special rituals are performed. Then, fortnightly rituals like Pradosham, and monthly rituals like Amavasai and Pournami are also performed in this temple.
The temple is very popular for its chariot festival, which takes place around May / June. The devotees take out Gokilambal-Thirukameshwara, in a chariot, and take them into the town. It is believed that whoever pulls the chariot will have their wishes fulfilled by Lord Shiva, This festival attracts thousands of devotees from Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu.
Other Deities are Lord Murugan, Lord Brahma, Lord Narasimha Swamy and a Nandi (bull statue) called Prasava Nandi. Women pray to it during their pregnancy.
The peculiarity of this temple is that the rays of the sun fall on the deity on the 9th, 11th and 19th of the month of Panguni (March-April).
The annual Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated for 10 days.
Puducherry Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Swamy Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 AM to 12.00 Noon
Evening: 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM
Temple Daily Rituals:
Kalasanthi at 8:00 AM
Uchikalam at 12:00 noon
Sayarakshai at 6:00 PM
Puducherry Kameshwarar Temple History:
Villianur Kameshwarar Temple is said to be around 1000 years old. It was built in the 12th century AD, by King Chola.
According to legends, the king suffered from leprosy. But he was healed, after worshiping Lord Shiva here. So, he built the temple and established the town of Vilwanallur (named after the surrounding tree forest of Vilwa trees).
The Chola successors and rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire added other structures later. The masonry is believed to be built during the 16th century.
How to Reach Thirukameshwara Temple:
By Air:
Puducherry Airport is 10.8 km.
Chennai International airport is 150 km away.
By Rail:
Puducherry railway station is 11 km.
The nearest major railway station is Villupuram (30.3 km away).
By Road:
Puducherry bus terminus is 8 km from the temple. Private Autos, Taxis, cabs and motorcycles are available from the Main bus stop to reach the temple.
Puducherry Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple Address:
E-Car Street,
Villianur,
Puducherry – 605110.