Department of Hindu Religious Institutions & Wakf, Puducherry
Government department · Puducherry
The Department of Hindu Religious Institutions & Wakf administers the Hindu temples of the Union Territory of Puducherry, which covers Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, under the Puducherry Hindu Religious Institutions Act of 1972. It was set up in 1980. It directly oversees 243 temples and indirectly about 1,000 more, and it also supervises the Puducherry Wakf Board and Haj Committee. Its best-known temples are Manakula Vinayagar in Puducherry town and the Saneeswara shrine at Thirunallar in Karaikal. Thirunallar draws huge crowds on Saturdays and during Sani Peyarchi (Saturn transit).
How it is run
A Government of Puducherry department headed by a Commissioner, under the Secretary for Hindu Religious Institutions & Wakf. For each temple under it the government appoints a five-member Board of Trustees for three years, or a government official as Special Officer until a board is formed. Karaikal's temples, including Thirunallar, have a dedicated Executive Officer (Temples).
Tips for pilgrims
- For Thirunallar, book e-seva, e-hundi or accommodation on the temple's official site, thirunallarutemple.org. Avoid Saturdays and Sani Peyarchi days unless you are ready for very long queues.
- Manakula Vinayagar is open about 5:45 am-12:30 pm and 4:00-9:30 pm, per the temple site. Hours change on festival days.
- Most temples here follow Tamil temple custom. Dress modestly and remove footwear at the entrance.
Temples it runs
- Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple – White Town, Puducherry
- Sri Dharbaranyeswarar Temple (Saneeswara Bhagavan Sthalam) – Thirunallar, Karaikal
- Sri Kailasanathaswamy and Sri Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple – Karaikal
- Sri Kokilambigai sametha Thirukameeswarar Temple – Villianur, Puducherry
- Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple – M.G. Road, Puducherry
- Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple – M.G. Road, Puducherry