Pondicherry town is a surprise in India. This you’ll realise as you pass through well-laid, wide streets carrying French. Pondicherry cheers the heart of the romantic. Legendary associations trace the origin of this city to Rishi Agastya, the revered sage of the south. And excavations near Pondicherry reveal that a Roman settlement existed here 2000 years ago. Pondicherry has been the theatre of many battles between the British and the French, and was the capital of French India before it attained independence in 1954. Pondicherry is famous as a centre chosen by late Sri Aurobindo, revolutionary turned saint, who built his Ashram, which draws huge crowed of tourists.
Anglo-French Textile Mills: Established over a century ago, a visit to the Anglo-French Textile Mills is an education in itself. The mill gives a ten percent rebate on purchases made by tourists who go on guided tours. The acclaimed fabrics and products of this mill make ideal mementoes and gifts.
Auroville: Located 10kms north of Pondicherry town, Auroville is envisioned as a Universal Town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs, can live in peace and hormony. The construction of this ‘universal town’ was started in 1968 under the guidance of The Mother, a Paris – born painter musician who became Sri Aurobindo’s disciple and close companion from 1924 till this death in 1950.The development of this utopia is still in progress. Ph: 0413 – 2623108
Beach: Beach Road is the evening refuge from the heat. Its formal names have been Rue du Rampart, Cours de Chebrol and now Gouber Salai. Beach Road has little of architectural interest but oceans of charm. Here you can enjoy swimming and sunbathing, free of cost.
Botanical Garden: Established by C.S.Perrotet in 1826, it preserves a large variety of excotic species of plants from all over India and abroad. Ph: 0413 – 2336088.
Bharathi Museum: The house of the great Tamil poets have been converted into the museum. He freed Tamil poetry from forms that, while writing beautifully rich and terse, had kept it the preserve of the few. The inscriptions and material in the museum are exclusively in Tamil.
Bharathidasan Museum: The museum is the former house of a renowned Pondicherry born poet (1891 – 1960) who was a follower of Bharathi (hence his name). He wrote poetry, plays and film scripts on such issues as support for Dravidian (or South Indian) culture and the rights of women, and in opposition to superstition and casterism.
Boat House Chunambar: Facilities for boating and canoeing are available at the boat house, on the river Chunnambar, 8 km from Pondicherry. The back waters and luxuriant greenery on both sides of the river provide an idyllic setting for boating. Ph: 0413 – 2600816
Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus Church: Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this church is noted for its gothic architecture and stained glass panels which depict the entire life of Jesus Christ.
Jamia Mosque: This Mosque in the Muslim Quarter. It is worth a visit in the evening between 6 p.m and 8 p.m to see the distinctive architecture with palm trees behind it and overhead, perhaps, a serenely floating moon.
Jawahar Toy Museum: Unremarkable dolls shops in Pondy typically open twice each working day (in the morning and mid-afternoon) and close (at lunch time and late evening).
Kanniya Parameswari Temple: dedicated to Shakti, the supreme goddess is unusual in that it contains many European architectural elements – lonic columns, for instance.Ph:0413 – 2225034.
Karaikal: Karaikal is one of the four regions of the Union Territory of Pondicherry. It is about 300 Kms. South of Chennai and about 135 kms. From Pondicherry on the East Coast. It is surrounded by Nagappattinam and Thiruvarur districts of Tamil Nadu. From the time immemorial, Karaikal has been known for its rich religious heritage. It is an ideal place for those who like to seek solitude, leisure and serenity on the shore. With rivers and beaches it is, untouched by tourists. The French flavour still persists the peaceful land of Karaikal.
Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple: Karaikal Ammaiyar temple in Karaikal is dedicated to a celebrated woman Saivaite Saint ‘Punithavathi’ and subsequently elevated to the status of a goddess.
Manakula Vinayagar Temple: The shrine dedicated to ‘’Manakula Vinayakar’’ existed even at the time of the arrival of the French in Pondicherry in 1673.The temple is located at the junction of Jawaharlal Nehru Street (J.N.Street) and Manakula Vinayakar St.Ph:0413-2336544.
Mansion of Ananda Rangapillai: Built in 1773, this mansion is a fine specimen of Indo – French architecture. Ananda Rangapillai was the courtier of Joseph Francois Dupleix, the Governor. The diary which Rangapillai maintained between 1736 – 60 is a book of great value as a source of information on the history of Pondicherry and the French in India.
Promenade: The 1.5 km long Promenade running along the beach is the pride of Pondicherry. Several landmarks like the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Duplex, the elegant war memorial raised by the French, and the 27 metre tall lighthouse can be found along the water front.
Pondicherry Museum: On display are the findings of Arikamedu, the Chola bronzes and sculptures, glimpses of French heritage, specimens of modern and traditional handicraft, paintings, armouries, carvings and many other things of historical interest. Timing: 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays & Holidays).Ph:04130 – 2336236.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram: The Ashram was established by Sri Aurobindo in 1926, a revolutionary turned poet, it has grown into a center for the practice of Integral Yoga. In the main building of the ashram, there is the Marble Samadhi, where Aurobindo and the Mother have been laid to rest.
Contact: Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry – 605002, Ph: 0413 – 2330331
Thirunallar Saneeswarar Temple: 101 KmCs away, is famous for its temple dedicated to Lord Saneeswara.Ph:0413 – 236530.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple: Both the Perumal and Eswaran temples have been recently renovated and repainted. The gopurams or towers are wonderfully colourful.
Vedhapureeswarar Temple: It is dedicated to Loard Shiva. Both the Perumal and Easwaran temples have been recently renovated and repainted. The gopurams or towers are wonderfully colourful, as are most temples before weather reduces them to the bare stone of deserted or neglected temples everywhere.
Villiayanur: Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple, architecturally the finest in Pondicherry, is located 9.5 kms away. During May – June, a ten-day annual festival (Brahmothsavam) is held here which attracts hundreds of devotees. The temple car rising to a height of 15.25 meters is profusely decorated, pulled out from its usual position and taken on a procession around the town. It is an awe-inspiring sight.