About trip

About Temple: This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 16th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).

• Moolar:Sri Vadukeeswarar, Sri Panchanadeeswarar,Sri Vadukurnathar
• Ambal:Sri Tiripurasundari, Sri Vaduvakirkanni
• Theertham (Holy water):Vamanadeva Theertham
• Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree):Vanni tree
• Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by :Saint Thirugnanasambanthar.
• Location:Thiru Vadukur (Thiruvandarkoil),Puducherry.

History:

• The lord of this temple, Lord Vadukeeswarar is slightly leaning towards the left side.
• There is no flag post (Dwajasthambam) in this temple.
• This east facing temple’s main tower is not tiered. In place of the Gopuram, there is a beautiful sculpture depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.
• This temple is believed to have been built by the Chola King Paranthakan-I. It is constructed in a style that is similar to that of Tanjore temple but it is much smaller in size.
• The historical name of this place is Vadukur and that of the temple is Andarkoil. However, over a period of time, this place’s name has been changed to Thiru Andarkoil.  
• Apart from the main deities, shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Nalvar, Dakshinamurthy, Pitchandavar, Brahma, Ardhanareeswarar, Suryan, Chandiran, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Navagraham, Saneeswarar, Sapthamathakkal and Bairavar can be seen in the corridors.
• The significant feature of this temple is that the idol of Sri Anjaneyar is next to that of Lord Brahma. In the front hall (Mandapam), there is an idol of Lord Krishna where he can be seen standing between two serpents.
• Devotees believe that worshiping the lord of this temple would bless them with better job opportunities and promotions in works. 
  

Itinerary

Day 1 - Puducherry Sightseeing

Morning Pick up from Theni/Dindigul. Then proceed to visit Sri Vadukeeswarar Temple at Thiru Vadukur (Thiruvandarkoil). Arikamedu. The Pondicherry Botanical Garden. Pondicherry Museum. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 2 - Puducherry Sightseeing

Morning Breakfast at Hotel. Check Out from Hotel. Then proceed to visit Auroville Beach. The Old Lighthouse. Mahatma Gandhi Statue. Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple . Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Then starting our Journey towards Theni/Dindigul.