Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Puducherry

The Varadaraja Perumal Temple, dedicated to Vishnu and to Lakshmi as Perundevi Thayar, stands in the heritage town area of Puducherry. It is believed to have been founded by the Cholas in the 11th century and enlarged by the Pandyas in the 12th. The region later saw destruction and rebuilding during the colonial wars, and in 1748 the temple sheltered the images of the Vedapurishvarar temple. The Vasantha mandapa is said to have been built by the city's Hindus, Muslims and Christians.

A granite wall encloses the shrines, entered through a five-tiered gopuram 110 ft high. The sanctum holds a 5-foot granite image of Varadaraja standing with four arms, with Perundevi and Bhumi beside him, and a mirror hall adjoins it. Modern paintings of the 108 Divya Desams line the precinct walls. The ten-day Brahmotsavam in Chithrai is a leading festival, and children are brought here to write their first letters in a plate of rice.