The cuisine around the Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple in Pondicherry has evolved through a history of diverse influences due to its colonial past. Being a former French colony, Pondicherry's local cuisine, often referred to as Creole, is a unique blend of French and Tamil culinary traditions. Inside the temple premises, as in most Hindu temples, you may find offerings called 'Prasadam' that are vegetarian and are meant to be a divine blessing consumed by devotees. Typical offerings include 'Laddu', 'Pongal', and 'Kesari'. These offerings symbolize the sanctity of food in Hindu culture and reflect a connection with the divine.