Sunday 2 August 2015

Pondicherry - places to visit


Pondicherry

Places To Visit in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is synonymous with the Aurobindo Ashram. Founded by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa (The Mother) in 1926, it is one of the major highlights of Pondicherry and is visited by thousands of people from all over the world. The ashram is also the place of Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo ...
Museum Cultural Landmark Religious
A delight for art and history enthusiasts, the Pondicherry Museum has on display a fantastic collection of sculptures, handicrafts, archaeological findings from the Arikamedu Roman settlement and items from the French colonial time such as furniture and coins, among other things. ...
Museum
Featuring six gorgeous fountains, a large aquarium with ornamental fishes, Japanese rock, dancing fountain and a beautiful children's train, the Botanical Garden of Pondicherry is truly an unmissable attraction. 

Established in the year 1826 by C.S. Perrotet, this 22-acre park is located favourably near the southern ...
Park/Garden
Founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, also known as ‘The Mother’, Auroville is an experimental township or a universal town. Designed by famous architect Roger Anger, Auroville is a must-visit attraction of Pondicherry where people of different nationalities, cultures and beliefs live together in harmony. 

One of the ...
Monument Religious Cultural Landmark
One of the liveliest areas in Pondicherry, the Promenade is situated along the picturesque seafront with a rocky beach. One can enjoy a leisurely stroll at the Promenade, which is a delightful experience especially on a pleasant day. There are also few cafes and restaurants nearby where you can enjoy ...
Beach
A popular tourist attraction, Chunnambar Boat House is located about 7 kilometres from Pondicherry. Surrounded by beautiful backwaters and stunning white sand beaches, Chunnambar Boat House is ideal for boating and also a great picnic spot where you can relax in the tranquil environment. You can also go down to ...
Places to see around
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the highly revered religious places in Pondicherry and is located on the south boulevard of the town. This beautiful church is an excellent example of Gothic architecture and is adorned with colourful stained glass panels illustrating the life events ...
Religious
Kick-started by the Puducherry Government in the year 1993, this festival aims at the harmonious unison between a human being’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Brace up for the asans and meditation, attend discussions and workshops, watch spectacular Yogic dance and drama or try the Yogic food which will ...
Cultural
Dedicated to the Sun God, this is the most revered festival in South India. Celebrated every year in the month of January, this 4-day festival marks the onset of new year. There is a festive spirit in every corner of the town as people decorate their houses, buy new clothes, ...
Cultural
Every year in the month of May, Pondicherry’s main deity is embellished and driven in a chariot within the town. Many people wait to get a chance to pull the chariot and distribute goodies (food) amongst people. Legend says that this generous act of distributing food is considered very auspicious ...
Cultural
Every year on 15th August, locals celebrate not just the Independence Day but Sri Aurobindo’s birth anniversary also. Devotees from different parts of the world gather on this day to offer prayers to his Samadhi and revel in the spirit of his ideologies. ...
Cultural
Eglise de Notre Dame de la Conception Immaculee is one of the oldest churches in Pondicherry. Established in the year 1686, this church is dedicated to St. Peters. Initially, it was a small chapel that served as a parish church till 1729. 

The present name- Eglise ...
Religious
Anyone travelling in Pondicherry must pay a visit to the beautiful Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges. Also called as the Church of Our Lady of Angels, this religious edifice is famed for its brilliant masonry. 

Limestone has been mixed with the white of eggs to ...
Religious Landmark
By far, one of the most popular man-made attractions in Pondicherry, Eglise de Sacre Coeur de Jesus Church is worth visiting. Located close to the railway station, this religious edifice was built between 17th and 18th centuries. Its splendid Gothic architecture, complemented with two gorgeous spires, rose windows and deep ...
Religious Landmark
A picturesque attraction, Ousteri Lake or Osudu Lake is worth a visit. Located at a distance of approximately 10 kilometres from Pondicherry, this spectacular water body covers a surface area of 390 hectares. 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has recognised ...
With an unspoilt and vast shoreline that is lined with dense palm groves, this Paradise beach truly exudes romance at every step. Frequented by beach lovers and honeymoon couples from all corners of the country and beyond, this beach stretches over several miles. 

Located along Cuddalore ...
Beach
One of the most gorgeous beaches in Pondicherry, Serenity Beach is an unmissable attraction! Swathed with pristine golden sands and lapped by shimmering waters of the Bay of Bengal, this treasure trove of nature is secluded, quiet and of course, spectacular. 

Fringed by palm trees, this ...
Beach
Measuring 2.88 metres in height, the Statue of Dupleix lies strategically in Goubert Avenue (Beach Road). Made of granite, this statue was erected in honour of Francois Dupleix, the French who governed Pondicherry from 1742 to 1754. This statue, which was commissioned in the year 1870, stands as a symbol ...
Landmark
Located right opposite the Grand Bazaar on Ranga Pillai Street, Ananda Ranga Pillai House is one of the oldest buildings in the town. Doubtlessly a must-visit attraction, this house belongs to Ananda Ranga Pillai- a courtier of Joseph Francois Dupleix (former French governor of Pondicherry). 

Built ...
Landmark
A visit to one of the greenest attractions in Pondicherry - the Government Park must not be missed. Also known as Bharati Park, this scenic spot is an ideal place for spending moments of repose with friends and family. 

Apart from the green expanse, what attracts ...
Park/Garden
Located close to the Old Light House on Goubert Avenue in Pondicherry, the Jawahar Toy Museum is home to a wide variety of dolls and toys collected from different parts of the country. The beautifully decorated dolls and other toys at the museum represent the culture of different regions of ...
Museum For Kids
A popular place of religious importance- Kanniga Parameswari Temple is visited by hundreds of devotees every day. Dedicated to Goddess Shakti, this temple exhibits a unique blend of Tamil and French architectural styles. 

The arched walls, ionic columns, angel decorations and stained glass windows in ...
Religious
Built in the centre of the beautiful Bharati Park, Park Monument (Aayi Mandapam) is one of the most iconic structures of Pondicherry. Named after a famous female courtesan named 'Aayi', this monument was built during the period of Napoleon III in the 16th century. According to folklore, Aayi destroyed her ...
Monument Landmark
One of India's oldest operating libraries - Romain Rolland Library is worth a visit. Established in the year 1827, this library has been named after the French scholar - Romain Rolland, who was also a close companion of Mahatma Gandhi. 

The library boasts of a huge ...
Landmark
One of Pondicherry's star attractions - Seaside Promenade is a reminder of the glorious French colonisation in the region. Around 1.5 kilometres in length, this seaside stretch boasts of housing some of the most iconic landmarks of the union territory. Worth-mentioning among them are the French War Memorial, Town Hall ...
Landmark
A unit of Pondicherry Textile Corporation Ltd., the Anglo French Textile Mill is one of India's oldest operating mills. Previously known as Rodier Mill, this mill is engaged in producing and exporting different types of fabrics. 

Initially it had only two departments - weaving and spinning. ...
Cultural
Built before the 15th century, the ancient Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple is located 400 metres away from the Bay of Bengal in White Town, Pondicherry. This shrine is dedicated to Bhavaneshar Ganapathy – a form of Lord Ganesha, who is known as the remover of obstacles. In Tamil, manal means ...
Religious
Declared a 'National Treasure of India' by the Government of India, the French Institute of Pondicherry is an interesting place to visit. Inaugurated in the year 1955 as Institut Français d'Indologie, this educational institute has been established in accordance with the Treaty of Cession of French Territories in India. 
Cultural
The quaint victory monument - French War Memorial is located in White Town, Pondicherry. This elegant structure was built in the year 1971 to commemorate the martyrs of the First World War. 

This memorial is beautifully illuminated to pay homage to those valiant soldiers on 14th ...
Monument
Raj Niwas, located at Nehru Park, is also known as Le Palais du Gouverneur, which means the governor's palace. Once used by the French Governor, this palatial building presently serves as the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry. 

Built in the 18th century, the structure flaunts ...
Landmark
Sita Cultural Center, also known as the South Indian Traditional Arts Society (SITA society), is the focal point of Indian culture in Pondicherry. This centre is the ideal place to discover, learn and practice vivid art forms. It offers creative classes in Ayurveda, yoga and traditional dance forms like Bharata ...
Cultural
The sacred biblical verse, sanctificavi locum istum, ut sit nomen meum ib, engraved on the entrance welcomes you at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Pondicherry. This Latin verse means 'I have consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my hehe..
religious

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