Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Puducherry – History

Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Puducherry – History

The temple, situated on the seashore, is more than 500 years old and is on a street, which was originally populated by weavers. However, with the occupation of the French, the temple began facing problems. The Christian priests would not allow the public procession of the deity on Sundays and on Easter, and made the Governor sign an order to that effect in 1701. However, Hindu devotees rebelled when the government decided to demolish the temple structure. Skilled artisans joined the strike and people decided upon a mass exodus from Pondicherry.

The Governor, Francois Martin came to an agreement and people gave up their plans after being promised that there would be no hindrance to temple worship. In 1708 some Christian priests led Adi Dravidas into the temple and caused untold destruction to the temple property. Once again, the Hindus of Pondicherry went on a strike and wrested an assurance from the Governor that there would be no interference in the religious activities of the Hindus.

The French built a Fort here in the year 1688. The temple behind this fort was the Manakula Vinayakar temple. This was near the sea shore with lot of sand (Manal) and hence the tank came to be known as Manarkulam – Manakkulam. Many government manuals also confirm this fact. It is on the eastern part of this tank; the temple is built known as Manakula Vinayakar temple and became very popular in the days that followed. Mahakavi Bharathi, Swami Arvinda and Annai were staunch devotees of Manakula Vinayaka.

A gift of a piece of land measuring 106 x 56 sq.m., was made by Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry for widening the southern side of prakaram of Manakula Vinayagar Temple on 21.1.1969. It appears that when the Sri Aurobindo Memorial Fund Society purchased the Montbrun House adjacent to the temple, the Mother sent word to the temple authorities that she would like to offer a portion of land to the temple so that the devotees could have a comfortable circumbulation to go around the sanctum.

The Mother, who was herself a spiritual Power, had a deep devotion for Manakula Vinayaka and kept with her images of Ganesha, to help her tide over monetary problems. She has also gone on record to reveal how he manifested before her as a flame of golden light encircled by a very brilliant golden aura while retaining his traditional image of an Elephant-headed God.