Pondicherry lies on the Coromandel coast, located on India's southern coastline. The tiny land is Union Territory. Once a French colony, Pondicherry has a rich past. But today's Pondicherry has bagged more fame due to the Auroville Ashram established by Rishi Aurobindo.
The spiritual attraction mixes with the undulating waters of the Bay of Bengal and rich culture heritage to make Pondicherry an enchanting destination.
PLACES OF INTEREST
1. GANDHI MANDAPAM is a Asia's biggest Gandhi Statue. Mahatma Gandhi is surrounded by eight granite pillars, which were brought from Gingee, a fort 70 kms from Puducherry . Located across the street from Gandhi statue of Jawaharial Nehru. It is also flanked by 4 pillars from Gingee.
Location : On the beach road
2. 19th CENTURY LIGHT HOUSE is still one of Pondicherry's prime tourist attraction. It was built in the year 1836. Location :On Goubert Avenue, opposite the Gandhi Statue
3. FRENCH WAR MEMORIAL is a monument for soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War . Location : on Goubert Avenue.
Celebration : On Bastille Day, 14th July , the memorial is well is well lit and is worth visiting.
4. AMBEDKAR MANI MANDAPAM is built in remembrance of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. He was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.He has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna , India's highest civilian award. Visit the Monument to know more about his achievement . Location : on the beach road.
5. The "PLACE DE GOUVERNEMENT" or the Government Square includes the XVIII Century Palais du Gouverneur (now Raj Nivas) the old Tribunal now housing the Legislative Assembly , the Cercle de Pondicherry , the Ashram dining hall and the UCO Bank - all lined up to form the square. Exquisitely carved monolithic pillars adorn the " palace".These pillars , ascribed to the XVII Century were brought from Gingee to Pondicherry after the capture of its fort in 1751.
6. DUPLEIX was Pondicherry's most illustrious French Govenor . The French government commissioned his Statue at Pondy to honor him.Location : At the Southern end of the beach overlooking the Children's park.
7. AAYI MANDAPAM was built in 16th century in Greco Roman architectural style during the reign of Napoleon III, the emperor of France , commemorating a 16th century courtesan named Aayu. It is surrounded by many stately buildings like Raj Nivas , Museum , Pondicherry Art Gallery.
Location : Government park and opposite Raj Nivas. Timing : 6am to 9pm, Entry : Free
8. MUSEUM has excellent gallery with sculptures and the remains of archaeological finds from Arikamedu Roman settlement. Once can go through the legendary French colonial details in the history section of the museum. Location : Rue Saint Louis
Timing : 9.40 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5.20 pm Monday - Friday
9. BHARATHIDASAN MEMORIAL displays the eminent son of the soil poet Bharathidasan , known as " Paventhar " or "Kings of Songs'. Facing " Cercle de Pondicherry" is his statue, while the house he lived in situated at 95, Perumal Koil Street -has been converted into a memorial .
10. VHUNNAMBAR houses the famous PTDC boat house and is located on the Cuddalore main road. The beach is extremely attractive as the sands are clean and water clear. The beach offers a variety of water sport activities.
11. BOTANICAL GARDEN planned by C.S Perrotet in 1826 has a good collection of exotic flowering plants from India and abroad. The garden was started in 1826 by the French colonists on an experimental basis to analyze the crops that could be cultivated in the region. Location : just off the west entrance of the South Boulevard & close to old city Bus Stand.
12. SACRED HEART BASILICA is the work of French missionaries. The interiorsk of the Church are a magnificent combination of Indo -European architecture. Location : 132, sacred Heart Church , Subbaiah Salai , Pondy 01
13. THE EGLOSE DE NORTE DAME DES ANGES is also known as Church of the Capuchines . the locals call it Caps Church and also Pink Church because of the color. It was built in the year 1865. Prayers are still conducted here in French . Location : Rue Dumas
14. MANUKULAR VINAYAGAR TEMPLE is dedicated to Lord Ganesh. The temple is assumed to be constructed nearly 5 centuries back. Location : Manakular Vinayagar Koil St ( behind Raj Niwas). ( Elephant able to shake your hand )
Dharshanam Timing : 5.45 am to 12.30 pm & 4pm to 9.30pm
Abishegam Time : 6.30 am and 11 am ( Mon to Thursday)
15. SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM was founded in 1926. The dynamic character of the arsham community reflects the life affirming aim of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga. Location : Rue de la Marine
16. PROMENADE BEACH and the monuments along its length , speak of the rich heritage of Pondicherry. Some of the important monuments of the city are located next to its shores. They include the statues of Mahatma Gandhi , Joanof Arc, Dupleix and the French War Memorial etc. A lot of information pertaining to Pondicherry can be acquired through the tourism information centre on the beach road.
17. BHARATHI PARK also called the Government Park is surrounded by some of the most prestigious government buildings like the Lt. Governor 's palace , the legislative Assembly , Government Hospital, Ashram dining room , the Cercle de Pondicherry private club etc. The park surrounds the Aayi Mandapam.
18. AUROVILLE is a small village 30 mins drive from Pondy on the ECR towards Chennai. The Matrimandir os the finest attraction of Auroville. Entry passes can be obtained for free at Auroville Visitors' center, after watching a short introductory video on the Matrimandir. Passes are issued from 9.30 am to 1 pm and 1.30 pm to 4 pm . Sundays : 9.30 am to 12.30 pm only
The spiritual attraction mixes with the undulating waters of the Bay of Bengal and rich culture heritage to make Pondicherry an enchanting destination.
PLACES OF INTEREST
1. GANDHI MANDAPAM is a Asia's biggest Gandhi Statue. Mahatma Gandhi is surrounded by eight granite pillars, which were brought from Gingee, a fort 70 kms from Puducherry . Located across the street from Gandhi statue of Jawaharial Nehru. It is also flanked by 4 pillars from Gingee.
Location : On the beach road
2. 19th CENTURY LIGHT HOUSE is still one of Pondicherry's prime tourist attraction. It was built in the year 1836. Location :On Goubert Avenue, opposite the Gandhi Statue
3. FRENCH WAR MEMORIAL is a monument for soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War . Location : on Goubert Avenue.
Celebration : On Bastille Day, 14th July , the memorial is well is well lit and is worth visiting.
4. AMBEDKAR MANI MANDAPAM is built in remembrance of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. He was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.He has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna , India's highest civilian award. Visit the Monument to know more about his achievement . Location : on the beach road.
5. The "PLACE DE GOUVERNEMENT" or the Government Square includes the XVIII Century Palais du Gouverneur (now Raj Nivas) the old Tribunal now housing the Legislative Assembly , the Cercle de Pondicherry , the Ashram dining hall and the UCO Bank - all lined up to form the square. Exquisitely carved monolithic pillars adorn the " palace".These pillars , ascribed to the XVII Century were brought from Gingee to Pondicherry after the capture of its fort in 1751.
6. DUPLEIX was Pondicherry's most illustrious French Govenor . The French government commissioned his Statue at Pondy to honor him.Location : At the Southern end of the beach overlooking the Children's park.
7. AAYI MANDAPAM was built in 16th century in Greco Roman architectural style during the reign of Napoleon III, the emperor of France , commemorating a 16th century courtesan named Aayu. It is surrounded by many stately buildings like Raj Nivas , Museum , Pondicherry Art Gallery.
Location : Government park and opposite Raj Nivas. Timing : 6am to 9pm, Entry : Free
8. MUSEUM has excellent gallery with sculptures and the remains of archaeological finds from Arikamedu Roman settlement. Once can go through the legendary French colonial details in the history section of the museum. Location : Rue Saint Louis
Timing : 9.40 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5.20 pm Monday - Friday
9. BHARATHIDASAN MEMORIAL displays the eminent son of the soil poet Bharathidasan , known as " Paventhar " or "Kings of Songs'. Facing " Cercle de Pondicherry" is his statue, while the house he lived in situated at 95, Perumal Koil Street -has been converted into a memorial .
10. VHUNNAMBAR houses the famous PTDC boat house and is located on the Cuddalore main road. The beach is extremely attractive as the sands are clean and water clear. The beach offers a variety of water sport activities.
11. BOTANICAL GARDEN planned by C.S Perrotet in 1826 has a good collection of exotic flowering plants from India and abroad. The garden was started in 1826 by the French colonists on an experimental basis to analyze the crops that could be cultivated in the region. Location : just off the west entrance of the South Boulevard & close to old city Bus Stand.
12. SACRED HEART BASILICA is the work of French missionaries. The interiorsk of the Church are a magnificent combination of Indo -European architecture. Location : 132, sacred Heart Church , Subbaiah Salai , Pondy 01
13. THE EGLOSE DE NORTE DAME DES ANGES is also known as Church of the Capuchines . the locals call it Caps Church and also Pink Church because of the color. It was built in the year 1865. Prayers are still conducted here in French . Location : Rue Dumas
14. MANUKULAR VINAYAGAR TEMPLE is dedicated to Lord Ganesh. The temple is assumed to be constructed nearly 5 centuries back. Location : Manakular Vinayagar Koil St ( behind Raj Niwas). ( Elephant able to shake your hand )
Dharshanam Timing : 5.45 am to 12.30 pm & 4pm to 9.30pm
Abishegam Time : 6.30 am and 11 am ( Mon to Thursday)
15. SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM was founded in 1926. The dynamic character of the arsham community reflects the life affirming aim of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga. Location : Rue de la Marine
16. PROMENADE BEACH and the monuments along its length , speak of the rich heritage of Pondicherry. Some of the important monuments of the city are located next to its shores. They include the statues of Mahatma Gandhi , Joanof Arc, Dupleix and the French War Memorial etc. A lot of information pertaining to Pondicherry can be acquired through the tourism information centre on the beach road.
17. BHARATHI PARK also called the Government Park is surrounded by some of the most prestigious government buildings like the Lt. Governor 's palace , the legislative Assembly , Government Hospital, Ashram dining room , the Cercle de Pondicherry private club etc. The park surrounds the Aayi Mandapam.
18. AUROVILLE is a small village 30 mins drive from Pondy on the ECR towards Chennai. The Matrimandir os the finest attraction of Auroville. Entry passes can be obtained for free at Auroville Visitors' center, after watching a short introductory video on the Matrimandir. Passes are issued from 9.30 am to 1 pm and 1.30 pm to 4 pm . Sundays : 9.30 am to 12.30 pm only
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