The Beach Road (Promenade)
Heritage Buildings
Ashram
Churches
Temples
Mosques
Museums
Parks
Beaches
Auroville
Other Places of Interest
| The
Beach Road (Promenade) |
No visit to Pondicherry is complete
without a walk along Beach Road,
known as Goubert Avenue or Promenade.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday
evenings are the busiest. |
Landmarks
on Beach Road:
The Ocean (Bay
of Bengal) |
|
|
|
|
|
Children’s Park &
Dupleix Statue |
|
It
is a seaside park with the statue
of Dupleix. Marquis Joseph Francois
Dupleix was the governor of
Pondicherry between 1742 and
1754. The 2.88m tall statue
of Dupleix stands in the south
of the park. |
|
|
Le Café |
|
|
It
was once the port office when
the railway ran along Beach
Road from the South Boulevard
to the old 240meters iron pier.
A cyclone in 1952 largely destroyed
the pier whose remains can still
be seen. Today, Le Café is a
tourist information centre and
a café selling delightful pastries
with an amazing view of the
ocean and the promenade. The
café also has a nice rooftop. |
| |
|
| Gandhi Statue |
|
 |
Gandhi
Statue is the main highlight
of the Beach Road. A four-meter
statue of Mahatma Gandhi is
surrounded by eight magnificent
granite pillars, which were
supposedly brought from Gingee. |
| |
|
| Nehru Statue |
|
The
statue is located across the
street almost face to face with
the imposing Gandhi statue.
The space in front plays host
to various cultural, musical
and commercial activities like
handicrafts markets through
the year. |
| |
|
| 19th Century Light House |
|
This
light house was built on July
1st 1836 and continued to be
used till the year 1979. It
stands on the edge of the sea
near the Place Du Gouvernement. |
| |
|
| The Mairie |
|
 |
Located
on Goubert Avenue, this charming
white building, facing the sea
almost transports you to France.
Today it houses the offices
of the Pondicherry Municipality. |
| |
|
| French War Memorial |
|
The
French War Memorial on Goubert
Avenue is solemn reminder of
those brave soldiers who laid
down their lives for their country
during the First World War. |
|
Heritage
Buildings |
Public Works Department |
|
|
This classic colonial Government
building, situated in Bussy
Street is notable for its entrance
gate, compound wall, balcony
with ironwork and brackets and
high arched windows. |
|
|
Romain
Rolland Library
|
|
The
Romain Rolland library was established
in 1872 and has a rich collection
of more than 300,000 books in
both French and English. It
also boasts of a mobile library
service which has a collection
of more than 8000 books. These
books are taken to nearby villages
by bus, in order to make the
books more accessible to the
common man. The library also
houses some rare editions of
books. The reference section
on the second floor is open
to the general public. |
|
|
Saint Joseph de Cluny
|
|
Saint
Joseph de Cluny is situated
in Romain Rolland Street. Built
in 1774 as a private house,
this classic colonial building
was donated to the religious
order of Saint Joseph de Cluny
about 150 years ago. Today it
houses a workshop which produces
beautiful embroidery. |
| |
|
Alliance Française |
|
|
Situated
in Suffren Street, this public
place houses a cultural and
information centre, a French
language institution and a library.
They also showcase multicultural
movies on Sundays at 6pm in
their auditorium. |
| |
|
Lycée Français |
|
|
Located in Victor Simonel Street
and established in 1826, this
institute still imparts French
education to hundreds of Pondicherrians.
Special permission is required
to visit this colonial place,
with its well preserved shady
courtyard, incredible trees,
columns and balconies. It also
has an interesting collection
of old photographs of colonial
Pondicherry and collection of
very rare coins of the French
East Indian Company. |
| |
|
Le Foyer du Soldat |
|
Located in Law De Lauriston
Street, this is the legion hall
for retired soldiers from Pondicherry,
who waged wars on behalf of
France in Europe and the colonies.
The building is interesting,
with a dash of colour added
to it in the form of the ‘tricolour’
(red, white, and blue flag)
fluttering in the wind. |
| |
|
French Institute of Pondicherry
at Saint-Louis Street (IFP) |
|
This
classic colonial building is
an internationally renowned
research institute on Indian
Civilization, history and society
in ecology, archaeology, environment
and development in South and
Southeast Asia. They are preserving
lot of palm leaf manuscripts.
Get prior permission to visit.
website:
www.ifpindia.org |
| |
|
French Consulate |
|
French
Consulate General is the only
diplomatic mission in town.
This colonial building has changed
over the years, and yet manages
to retain some of its original
18th century charm. The consulate
is open to French citizens.
|
| |
|
Raj Niwas |
|
The
Government House (Raj Niwas)
is a harmonious blend of French
and Indian style of architecture.
Formerly the Palace of the French
Governor of Pondicherry, it
is now the Lieutenant Governor’s
residence. It is not open to
the general public except on
certain national holidays like
Republic Day on 26th January,
when it is adorned with lights.
One can however get a glimpse
of the grandeur within, through
the tall imposing gates, which
are guarded by red ‘kepi’ adorning
police guards.
Towards the east, hidden behind
a thick wall and huge trees
lies the former French bandstand
on which the French Army Band
used to play.
On
the southern side are the Pondicherry
Art Gallery, Hotel Qualithe,
The UCO bank and the Chamber
of Commerce, all built with
a street front in a colonial
style.
Past the General Hospital on
the western side are the Legislative
Assembly and the Cercle de Pondichéry.
|
| |
|
| Legislative Assembly |
|
| It
was established in 1962 in what
was formerly a private house. |
| |
|
| Cercle de Pondichéry |
|
 |
It
is a private club, established
for senior French notables in
1899. The activities of its
400 members can be glimpsed
through its gate and high, open
windows. |
| |
|
| Ananda Rangapillai House |
|
| The single most famous house
of the fusion Tamil-French style
was built in 1735 and is located
in Ananda Rangapillai Street.
Its architecture combines French
and Indian styles. Visiting
the mansion requires a special
permission. Ananda Pillai's
compilation of diaries served
as a storehouse of information
in the 18th century French India. |
| |
|
* Indian National Trust
for Art and Cultural Heritage
(INTACH) is located
at 14, Aurobindo Street. They
organize walking tours of the
old neighborhoods.
website: www.intachpondicherry.org
|
| Ashram |
Sri Aurobindo Ashram |
|
 The
Sri Aurobindo Ashram located
on rue de la Marine, is one
of the most well known ashrams
in India.
The
ashram was set up in 1926 by
one of India’s famous sons Sri
Aurobindo, who originally came
to Pondicherry to escape persecution
by the British. Sri Aurobindo,
a saint-yogi, philosopher-poet,
taught Integral Yoga, a new
system of mind development,
a synthesis of yoga and modern
science. Madame Mirra Richard
Alfassa, a French painter-sculptor-musician
who had followed the same path
on her own, joined him later.
She is now known as the Mother.
After the death of Sri Aurobindo,
"the Mother" continued
the social work till she died
in 1973 at the age of 93. The
idea of Auroville or the “City
of Down” was conceived by ‘The
Mother’.
In the garden, lies the marble
Samadhi (final resting place,
mausoleum) of Sri Aurobindo
and the Mother, which attracts
thousands of visitors from around
the world. Children below 3
years of age are not allowed
into the ashram and photography
is allowed only with permission
of the ashram authorities.
Some of the ashram’s facilities
like the Library and the Main
Building can be accessed, only
after obtaining a gate pass
from the Bureau Central or some
of the Ashram Guest Houses.
The activities of the ashram
include the development of art,
culture, and spirituality, besides
agriculture and cottage industries
(weaving, paper making, perfume,
ayurvedic and homeopathic medicines,
incense making, tie dye etc).
The Handmade Paper factory is
situated just at the end of
the canal in front of Salt and
Pepper restaurant.
|
|
|
Sri Aurobindo International
Centre of Education
|
It is located in Marine Street
and is notable for its entrance
gate with courtyard, arched
windows and parapet. |
|
|
Ashram Dining Room |
Turning
back towards the Raj Nivas on
the left stands the beautiful
Villa Aroumé, which houses the
Ashram Dining Room.
Ashram
Dining Room has prepared the
food for Ashramites and their
guests since 1934. Have a look
when the gate is open at meal
times.
|
|
| Churches |
Church of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus (Eglise
du Sacré Coeur de Jésus) |
|
The
Church of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus, located on the South
Boulevard, Subbayah Salai, is
a white and brown neo-gothic
church. It was built by French
missionaries in the 1700’s.
It is one of Pondicherry’s finest
Catholic churches. It contains
rare and beautiful stained glass
windows and panels depicting
events from Jesus Christ’s life.
The church has an imposing entrance. |
|
|
Church of the Capuchins
|
Situated on Rue Dumas, this
is one of the first churches
to be built in Pondicherry.
Today, it houses an orphanage. |
|
|
The Church of Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception |
|
Located on Mission Street (or
Cathedral Street), this cathedral,
which bears a strong resemblance
to a church in France, was built
in 1791 in the place of a former
church. In front of the church
is a statue of Our Lady with
the infant Jesus in her arms. |
| |
|
| The Church of Our Lady of the
Angels |
 |
The Church of our Lady of the
Angels on rue Dumas was built
in 1852 in the Greek Roman architectural
style. Its façade faces east
towards the ocean. The pastel
peach and lime colours give
it a very serene appearance.
It is the same model as la Basilique
at Lourdes, in southern France.
This church is also famous for
its rare oil painting of Our
Lady of the Assumption, which
was a gift from the French emperor,
Napoleon III. The cemetery next
to the church has the tomb of
Marquis de Bussy (dated 1785),
who was one of Dupleix’s most
enterprising followers. The
mass is done in French. |
| |
|
| The Statue of Joan of Arc |
|
| A marble statue of the heroic
French damsel Jeanne d' Arc
is placed in the middle of a
garden, in front of L'Église
de Notre Dame des Anges. |
| |
|
| Church of the Assumption |
|
Located at Nellitoppu, on the
western outskirts of the city,
this church was built in 1851.
The main entrance has an image
of Our Lady and on the left
towers is the statue of St.
George in the act of slaying
a yak-like monster.
Besides these imposing structures
there are various smaller churches
and shrines in Pondicherry which
have their devout followers,
like The Church of Francis Assist,
which was built in 1843, the
shrine of St. Anthony in the
French Quarter, The Saint John
Church and the Seventh Day Adventist
Church. |
| |
|
| Saint Anthony’s Shrine |
|
| Located
in Suffren Street, this is the
most interesting of many small
shrines in Pondicherry. |
| |
|
|
| Temples |
The
temples in Pondicherry are not
as well known as their more famous
counterparts in towns like Tanjore
or Chidambaram, but they are charming
in their own unique way.
Manakula Vinayagar Koil |
|
|
This
temple is more than 300 years
old and is dedicated to Ganesha.
It has a golden spire. The walls
portray forty different forms
of Ganesha. The temple also
has a smaller shrine dedicated
to Lord Murugan, who is Ganesha’s
younger brother. You will find
in front of the temple ‘Lakshmi’,
the temple elephant, who uses
her trunk to give blessings
and to collect coins from the
devotees and tourists. |
|
|
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
|
|
Located on M.G.Road, this is
believed to be the oldest temple
in town, dating back to 600
AD. The temple is built in a
typical Dravidian style. It
is dedicated to Vishnu (Venkatachalapathy). |
|
|
Vedhapureeswarar Temple |
|
This temple also known as the
Eashwaran Koil, is located on
M.G.Road and is dedicated to
Lord Shiva. It has colourful
‘gopuram’, adorned by statues
of gods and goddesses. |
| |
|
| Kanniga Parameswari Temple |
|
| This temple, dedicated to the
goddess Shakti is unique as
it seems to be strongly influenced
by the French architectural
style. Situated on M.G.Road,
it has an unusual blend of both
Tamil and French architecture. |
| |
|
| Kamatchiamman Temple |
|
 |
Located on Bharathi Street,
the lack of colour and ornamentation
makes this temple different
from most other South Indian
temples. This dark rust coloured
temple is dedicated to Durga,
the goddess of war. |
| |
|
| Pyramid Nataraj Temple |
|
 |
This
is very recent temple constructed
after the Tsunami. It is situated
just 100m after the Dune Hotel
on the shore in Pudhukuppam
on ECR road. |
| |
|
| Panchavatee Temple |
|
 |
This
temple dedicated for Lord Hanuman
is located on the Pondicherry
- Dindivanam road. The main
deity is 36feet height. This
temple is very recent. It is
really a nice place to visit. |
| |
|
Mosques
|
| *
One can not enter or visit the
mosques.
Jama
Mosque |
|
Located
on Mullah Street.
|
|
|
Meeran
Mosque
|
|
Meeran mosque is the
oldest mosque in Pondicherry.
It was built before 350 years.
It has the old gothic Islam
architecture in it.
|
|
|
Kuthbha
Mosque |
|
|
Kuthbha
mosque is the first mosque in
Pondicherry. As the mosque was
in the white area during the
17th century, the French people
ordered to vacate the place
and shift the mosque and the
Muslim community to the southern
side after the canal. These
streets were built facing MECCA.
|
| |
|
| Mulla
Mohamed Mosque |
|
| For the preaching in Urdu, one
part of KUTHBHA MOSQUE was built
as MULLA MOHAMED MOSQUE. This
mosque has a small pond with
fishes and a Ramadan food cooking
hall. |
| |
|
|
Museums
|
The Pondicherry Museum |
|
 The
Pondicherry Museum is located
on Saint Louis street and is
open between 10.00-17.00hrs
on all days except Mondays and
national holidays. The museum
is located in the former residence
of the French Administrator.
The museum has a collection
of rare bronzes and stone sculptures
from the Pallava and Chola dynasties,
objects found in Arikamedu site
(an ancient port just 7km from
city that traded with the Roman
empire), Greek and Roman jars,
200 year old beads made from
glass and precious stones, a
wide collection of temple lamps
and even objects from the Tsung
period in China.
The museum also has a Geology
room, a shell and fossil room
and a collection of handicrafts,
coins, church relics and French
furniture. Also on display is
Dupleix’s bed, the colony’s
most famous governor. |
|
|
Bharathi Memorial Museum
|
|
Subramanya Bharathi (1882-1921),
Bharathiyar to all, was a Tamil
poet-patriot, fugitive from
British India who arrived in
Pondicherry in 1908 in search
of refuge. Bharathi's home also
known as Bharathi Museum, on
No. 20, Eswaran Koil Street,
is almost a place of pilgrimage
today for the Tamil people.
Bharathi composed some of his
finest patriotic songs and immortal
works of Tamil literature. |
|
|
Bharathidasan memorial Museum |
|
The Bharathidasan Museum, on
No. 95 Perumal Koil Street,
is the former house of the famous
Pondicherry Tamil poet and playwright
- Bharathidasan (1891-1960)
(meaning "Disciple of Bharathi").
He also wrote scripts for films
on issues such as Dravidian
culture and the rights of women. |
| |
|
| Children’s Museum |
|
| It is a small museum located
next to the Botanical Gardens.
It has a good collection of
snail shells from the region
of Pondicherry. |
| |
|
| Jawahar Toy Museum |
|
| Located next to the old lighthouse
on Goubert Avenue, the museum
is open on all days except Monday.
This museum has a collection
of costume dolls from different
Indian states. Also on display
is a little ‘fairyland’ with
a tiny Ganesh watching over
all the proceedings. |
|
| Parks |
Bharathi Park or Government
Park (Place du Gouvernement) |
|
The
park located in the heart of
Pondicherry, is one of the most
beautiful public spots in town,
with its lawns, flowers beds,
fountains and shady trees. Around
it stands many stately buildings: |
|
|
Aayi Mandapam (Water Monument)
|
|
Situated
in the centre of the park, this
is a gleaming white monument
built during the reign of Napoleon
III, Emperor of France. The
monument, built in Greco-Roman
architecture, commemorates both
the provision of good drinking
water for the population and
the good deed of Aayi, a 16th
century lady some 300 years
before. The Aayi Mandapam has
become the unmistakable centre
from which four lanes divide
the Park in four almost equal
parts. Some exquisitely carved
monolithic pillars, brought
to Pondicherry from the Gingee
Fort after its capture in 1751,
adorn the place. |
|
|
The Botanical Garden |
|
|
The
Botanical Garden is located
south of the New Bus Stand.
The Botanical Garden was opened
in 1826. The gardens have a
variety of rare and exotic plants,
beautiful flowers, pruned trees,
gravel lined paths, fountains
and an aquarium. With over 1500
species of plants, this could
actually be qualified as one
of the best botanical garden
in South India.
The gardens also have a musical
fountain which is active in
the evening time during the
week end. |
| |
|
| Beaches |
Promenade (Beach Road) |
|
|
The 1.5km long promenade running
along the beach is the pride
of Pondicherry. There one
can relax or take a stroll
at any time of the day. Unfortunately,
it is impossible to swim in
this beach because of the
seawalls. |
|
|
Serenity beach
|
This beach is a ten minutes
drive to the north of the
town. This virgin beach, with
its serene surroundings is
an ideal place to laze away
your day. It is ideal for
relaxation, a quick dip and
sun bathing. The Serenity
Beach is 1.5km long. It’s
a beautiful, cool and clean
place. |
|
|
Paradise Beach (Plage Paradisio) |
|
It
is situated about 8km away
from Pondicherry towards Cuddalore
Main Road, in Chunnambar near
the mouth of the backwater.
The sand is pristine and the
water, clean and clear. It's
and ideal place for sun bathing
and beach sports. The beach
can only be accessed by boat. |
| |
|
Auroville Beach (Repos Beach) |
|
|
The Auroville Beach as the
name indicates is close to
Auroville. It is right opposite
the road leading to Auroville.
It is located around 10km
from the main Pondicherry
town. Its shallow waters and
small waves make it an ideal
place of swimming. It is a
fairly popular destination
on weekends. On weekdays it
is relatively less crowded. |
| |
|
Chunnambar Backwater |
|
 Chunnambar Boat House
is situated 8km from Pondicherry,
along Cuddalore Main Road.
This tropical paradise is
a great place for relaxation.
The
beach at Chunnambar also known
as Plage Paradiso, is located
near the mouth of the backwater.
The sand is pristine and the
water, clean and clear. It's
and ideal place for sun bathing
and beach sports.
If
you take a short and pleasant
cruise into the sea, you will
be able to see playful dolphins
in natural habitat.
You
pay 3 rupees for entrance.
The boat trip itself is 30
rupees. The paddled boat costs
60Rps per hour. The speed
or motor boat costs 125Rps
per head for a trip up to
Paradise Beach.
Chunnambar
Beach and Backwater Resort
has backwater boat tours,
trekking and picnics on Paradise
Beach. The resort offers various
kinds of rental boats (speed,
motor, sail, row paddled and
paddled boat), beach volleyball
and other beach sports.
Seagulls,
the multicuisine restaurant-bar
specialises in Chinese and
Tandoori food. The restaurant
too has a view of the backwaters.
It also serves food in the
huts just outside the restaurant.
You can also order a picnic
lunch to the beach.
Accommodation
is available on the three
tree top houses. 'Sunrise
Panorama' (a two storey tree
top house) gives you an unrestricted
view of the backwater up to
its mouth. 'Palm house' on
the other hand overlooks the
artificial pond and the park.
'Nest bird' is the perfect
place for the adventure loving
folks; it has a rope ladder
that leads to a small balcony.
All in a tree house, an unforgettable
experience!
Chunnambar Backwater Resort,
Cuddalore Road, Chunnambar,
Pondicherry.
Tel: (+91) 0413 – 2356816
|
| |
|
|
| Auroville |
 Located
around 10km north-west from
Pondicherry, Auroville or the
“City of Dawn” was conceived
by the Mother as a human unity.
The idea is to build a futuristic
city where people of goodwill
can live together in peace and
progressive harmony, above all
creeds, all politics and all
nationalities.
Auroville came into existence
on February 28, 1968. Its Charter
says, “To live in Auroville
one must be a willing servitor
of the Divine Consciousness”,
and describes it as “belonging
to nobody in particular, but
to humanity as a whole”; as
a place “of constant progress”;
and as “a bridge between the
past and the future.”
Auroville was designed by the
French architect Roger Anger.
The buildings are a combination
of modern western and traditional
Indian elements, set in a rural
landscape of red earth and widespread
forest.
Around 2,000 people from over
35 different nationalities (from
all social classes, backgrounds,
cultures and age groups) live
there in 80 settlements with
names like Grace, Fraternity,
Fertile, Certitude and Transformation.
Nearly two-thirds of the residents
are non-Indians (more than 15%
are French and 15% are German).
The residents are involved in
various activities like organic
agriculture, administration,
reforestation, commerce and
handicrafts, alternative technology,
education, health care and development
projects.
Visitors can wander around the
lush gardens, relax under banyan
trees or visit the Matrimandir.
At the centre of Auroville,
stands the Matrimandir built
in the form of a globe. It is
a place for individual silent
concentration. This is the geographical
and spiritual heart of Auroville.
The outside is plated with gold
while the inside is stark white
with a gigantic crystal in the
centre.
The Auroville Visitors Centre
is located near Bharat Niwas,
the Indian national pavilion
in Auroville. This Centre has
a permanent exhibition on the
history and philosophy of the
project, an Information Service
offering books, brochures and
leaflets on various aspects
of Auroville, three boutiques,
a bookshop, and a cafeteria
providing refreshments and international
cuisine. Introductory videos
on the township and the Matrimandir
can be seen at the Centre by
request.
For more information: www.auroville.org
|
| Other
Places of Interest |
The French Cemetery |
|
|
Further
along the southern boulevard
is the French cemetery on Dr.Ambedkar
Salai which has some interesting
tombs with ornate marble decorations.
French Administrators, landlords,
port officials, women and children
are buried here. |
|
|
|
|
