Places to see in pondicherry

Places to see in pondicherry

The eternal favorite with the tourist and travelers, Pondicherry is always different from other tourism destinations of the country. Ruled by the French for more than three hundred years, Pondicherry has retained French influences.

The wonderful buildings made by the French stand pretty as glorious examples of the classic French architectures. The French and the Indian culture has mixed in this lovely town to bring out a very acceptable social structure. These factors added with picturesque landscapes have made the place a hot tourist destination. The presence of several Pondicherry attractions excites and enthralls the visitors.

Places to see in pondicherry

French Fort Louis :
One of the important monuments in Pondicherry and one of the many Pondicherry attractions, the French Fort Louis in Pondicherry is very popular with the history freaks and tourists of the city. The French Fort Louis in Pondicherry was one of the earlier establishments of the French in Pondicherry.

According to historical sources, the French Fort Louis in Pondicherry was constructed around the year 1709. It was built in accordance to a French Fort's model, which was established by Vauban at Tournai in the French speaking Belgium. The magnificently built French Fort Louis has a pentagonal shape. It boasts of five bastions and a couple of gates. The exciting part of Pondicherry's French Fort Louis is the underground chambers. These chambers were made to store arms, ammunitions and other commodities.

The French Fort Louis in Pondicherry is bordered with a moat. The French Fort Louis in Pondicherry served as the Citadel of the city for more than fifty years and has withstand many attacks and calamities.

Aayi Mandapam
The ever popular Government Park of Pondicherry is one of the major tourism attractions of the city. In the heart of this wonderful park stands the Aayi Mandapam. The Aayi Mandapam in Pondicherry is one of the wonderful monuments of the city and one of the Pondicherry Attractions also.

According to the historians, it was built during the sixteenth century. It was named after a lady courtesan called Ayi. She destroyed her own house to erect a water reservoir to supply water for the city. At that time Napoleon III was the ruler of France. Later on, the French authority named the place to remember her contribution to the city.

The magnificent Aayi Mandapam in Pondicherry is one of the reasons behind the popularity of the Government Park or the Bharati Park. The tower stands majestically at the center of the park, enhancing its look. The Aayi Mandapam monument was built in accordance to the Greco Roman style of Architecture. Visitors in the park get enchanted with the presence of this wonderful architectural brilliance. Especially in the evenings, the Aayi Mandapam looks beautiful with the help of sparkling illuminations.

The illuminated Aayi Mandapam at Government Park stands as a distinct landmark in the night sky of the city, pronouncing its proud presence.

Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum
The beautiful coastal paradise of Pondicherry is noted for its panoramic rhapsodies. Apart from the emerald green sea waters lashing against the white sun kissed sands, Pondicherry also happens to be an erstwhile French settlement shrouded in history. Amongst the notable historic edifices dotting the union territory's landscape, the Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum in Pondicherry holds a special place.

Places to see in pondicherry

Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum's claim to fame rests in it being the renowned dubash of Francois Dupleix, the former Governor General of the French colonies in the Indian subcontinent. During the former Governor's days of glory, this old monument resting on the western fringes of Pondicherry was popularly nicknamed the 'native quarters'. A stunning architecture depicting by a splendid amalgam of contemporary French and Indian panaches, very much in vogue in that era continues to captivate tourists till date.

Back water lakes & Gardens
Where tourism is concerned Pondicherry has no scarcity of delightful tourist spots. The peaceful yet exciting beaches, the monuments with colonial nostalgia and the Back water lakes & Gardens in Pondicherry are among the major Pondicherry attractions.

Speaking about the Back water lakes & Gardens in Pondicherry, few places need definite mention. They are:-

Botanical Gardens
The Government Park or the Bharati Park
Chunnambar Backwater
Keezhoor

Located at the southern side of the New Bus Stand, the Botanical Gardens is a great crowd puller for the nature lovers and green activists. It also attracts the general tourists with its colorful flower beds, paths lined with stones and gravels and never before seen trees. The musical fountain will please the children and adults alike. The Bharati Park serves as the lungs of the Pondicherry City with its long stretch of green patch. The well maintained park is adorned with artificial hills, numerous trees, ponds and granite benches. It is a very popular picnic spot.

Keezhoor is a village with rich presence of the four hundred years old banyan tree. One of the most popular areas of the Union Territory of Pondicherry, the Chunnambar Backwater is very close to the main city. The Chunnambar Backwater area is a hot bed of varied activities like yachting, boating, sun bathing etc. The sports freaks will have a gala time here with the provision of sports like beach volley, horse riding in the beaches and many more. One can watch the lovable dolphins entertaining the spectators with their tricks. In one word the place is must visit for anyone who loves to enjoy.