Padagaya Temple, one of the oldest temples in India, is situated near
Yanam in
Pondicherry. It is called the 'Second Kasi' and the main deity worshipped here is
Lord Shiva. The deity is called 'Kukkuteswara Swamy' since it is in the form of a cock, and
Parvati is revered as 'Raja Rajeswari.' An idol of
Nandi is also worshipped.
A Durga temple, which is one of the Ashta Dasa Pithas of Goddess Durga is located in the temple premises. A shrine dedicated to Lord Dattatreya is also within the temple yard. This is significant since Dattatreya, in his next incarnation as Shri Pada Vallabha Swamy, was born in Pithapuram.
Padagaya Temple is around 50 km from Yanam region.
