Bhagwan Ganesha, Manakula Vinayagar Koil is a Hindu temple in Pondicherry. Located in the White Town of Pondicherry, Manakula Vinayagar Koil is more than 500-year-old. With the fact of being one of the oldest shrines in the region, Manakula Koil is counted amongst highly revered as well as the most popular Hindu temples in Pondicherry. The name of the temple is derived from two Tamil words ‘Manal’ which stands for sand and ‘Kulam’ which refers to Pond near the sea. The literal meaning of the temple goes back to the time of its construction when there was a pond that was engirdled by sand, and hence, the name Manakula comes. Throughout the year, the temple is visited by a large pack of devotees to commemorate the Prabhu. Sprawls over a large area of 7913 sq ft, this shrine boasts a beautiful architectural design that includes a raja gopuram, mandapam and a prahara – the place where the images of deities are kept.