Sithananda Swamy Temple, Karuvadikuppam, Puducherry

Sithananda Swamy Temple, Karuvadikuppam, Puducherry

Sithananda Swamy Temple is basically Jeeva Samadhi of Guru Sithananda Swamigal located in Karuvadikuppam in the Union Territory of Puducherry. The is Temple almost 200 years old. The temple is situated in the ECR Road Sivaji Statue Junction, which is very busiest point in the vicinity. As the temple is under the purview of the Hindu Religious Institution, Government of Puducherry, the administration of the temple is under the control of Commissioner, HRI. The temple is either managed by Board of Trustees constituted by HRI or the Special Officer.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2018/08/sithananda-swamy-temple-karuvadikuppam-history.html

The Temple

The Temple sprawls over 44670 sq. ft. with pond, trees and shrubs. The Temple is facing west with three tiered Rajagopuram. There is another three-tiered Gopuram on south side. This Temple is basically Jeeva Samadhi of Guru Sithanandha Swamigal and on which the idol of Siva Linga has been erected. The Temple has been constructed over his samadhi. There is a meditation hall in the Temple premises. Stucco images of 108 Siddhars can be seen in the Temple.

There are shrines of Sundara Vinayagar, Guru Dhakshinamoorthy and Ayyappan in the Temple premises. The temple bell of Guru Sithanandha Swamigal Temple was made in France during the erstwhile French Regime. Unlike any other bell, this temple bell has the précised sculpture of Guru Sithanandha. This bell is exclusively casted by the French Metallurgist. From this sculpture only, the image of Sithanandha was drawn.

The huge water tank in the complex abounding with fishes is a refreshing sight. Initially the temple pond is small and it was used for irrigating the garden inside the temple premises. Later it was improved during 1980s. The Temple Pond is at present balancing the eco system in the temple premises. Bharathiyar fled to Pondicherry which was under the French rule when he was faced with the prospect of arrest while involving in Indian Freedom Struggle activities in the year 1908.

It is said that Mahakavi Bharathiyar had a habit of writing poetry at this Sithanandha Swamigal Temple which is surrounded by full of trees (Thoppu in Tamil) where Quails come and go. Bharathiyar was mesmerized with this place full of birds and also wrote many poems sitting there. This place was then called as Quail Thoppu. Sri Guru Sithananda Swamy Temple still possess a statue of Bharathiyar in sitting posture with a book and a pen in his hand.

Festivals

Pujas and spiritual activities has been conducted in the temple on all days. Since Guru is predominant in this temple, Thursday Poojas is very special and thousands of devotees come to Temple on every Thursday. Maha Sangadahara Chathurthi, Maha Sivarathiri, Guru Poojai, Annabishekam, 108 Sankabishekam and Guru Poojai are also celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 2 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 146 Kms from Chennai Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai. The temple is situated in the ECR Road Sivaji Statue Junction, which is very busiest point in the vicinity. The Temple is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand – Jipmer Hospital (Gorimedu Bus Stop) Bus Route. All the buses plying in this route will stop at the entrance of the Temple itself. Devotees coming from Chennai can take Chennai to Pondicherry Bus via ECR, get down at Shivaji Statue Bus Stop. The Temple is situated just opposite to this Bus Stop.

Location | Photos