Tourist places in and around Pondicherry
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
The ashram was founded in 1920 when Sri Aurobindo reached Pondicherry, a French colony and put in place his ideas of peaceful community. The ashram for long was run by his French companion Mirra Alfassa, universally known as the Mother. Each member of the Ashram is free to mediate the way he or she prefers;Sri Aurbindo Auditorium there are no rituals, obligatory practices, and systematic instruction. The ashram is a diversified community with more than 1,200 members out of which 400 are the students of the Centre of Education. To support the administrative system of the ashram, it has various departments to look after basic needs of the members. In addition, there are farms and gardens, printing press, libraries, and a number of small-scale industries.The ashram houses the samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the mother. It is open to everyone for fixed hours everyday.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram was founded in 1926 by of India's famous sons, Sri Aurobindo, and the Mother. Here lies the samadhi or the final resting place of Sri Aurobindo, and the Mother, which draw, innumerable devotees. Sri Aurobindo, a saint-cun-yogi, taught Integral Yoga and modern science. The activities of the ashram include the spiritual development of a person, art, culture, besides agriculture and cottage industries. It is a unique spiritual concept revolving around offering work as a Divine offering.
And so to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. This is a very peaceful retreat named after a Seer Aurobindo. The memorial of Aurobindo and the Mother lie under a tree, which is te focal point for all devotees and visitors.
The world renowned Ashram was founded in 1926, by Sri Aurobindo and the mother (Mira Alfassa), a French apinter - sculptor. It is indeed the best known landmakrks of Pondicherry and attracts people from all over the world. The main Ashram building at the Marine street has the flower - festooned samadhi's (memorials) of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, under the frangipani tree. Peaceful ambience pervades around the samadhi's, as people come here and meditate.
Pondicherry Museum
Situated in the Government Park, the Pondicherry Museum has a good sculpture gallery and a section of archaeological finds from the Roman settlement at Arikamedu. There is also a French section charting the history of the colony. The objects include the four-poster bed in which Dupleix is believed to have slept. There is also a superb collection of snail shells from the Pondicherry region.Promenade
A lovely beach within bike range from the city centre in the north is a pleasant surprise. With a 1.5-km-long promenade, this is the most delightful part of the city. A stroll, sunbath, or a swim enhances the quality of experience. On the beachfront are located many sites such as a statue of Mahatma Gandhi surrounded by eight exquisitely carved monolithic pillars and a war memorial.Serenity Beach
The beautiful 1.5km long beach is graced by an impressive statue of Mahatma Gandhi, set amidst eight exquisitely carved pillars and wonderful war Memorial.Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden The French established this in 1826. If you have an evening free, explore the take garden's floral treasures brought from different parts of the world. Botanists and curators have conducted numerous experiments here to discover what would survive and flourish in this climate. The park is open 6:00 am-6:00 pm.It was planned and laid out in 1826, by C.S. Perrotect and has a rich and varied collection of plant species. There is also an aquarium here.
Aayi Mandapam (Park Monument)
The magnificent white monument at the lush Govt. Park in the heart of city most recognisable monument of Pondicherry. It was built in 16th century in Greo - Roman architectural style during the reign of Napoleon III- the emperor of France and commemorates a 16th century courtesan named Aayi.French War Memorial
The memorial on the Goubert Avenue (Beach Road) was erected in the honour of the soldiers who laid their during the first world War.Dupleix Statue
Statues of Francois Dupleix, the French Governor were commissioned in Pondicherry as well as in France in honour of this able administrator in 1870.Bharathi Memorial Museum
Subramanya Bharathi, the Tamil Poet-patriot (1882-1921), popularly known as Bharathiyar came to the French ruled Pondicherry in 1908, as a fuditive from British India. His residence at No.20, Eswaran Dharamaraja Koli street has been converted into a museum and is a place of pilgrimage for the Tamilians.Bharathidasan Museum
The house of Kanakasubbratnam (1891-1960), another great Tamil revolutionary port has also been converted into a museum.Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
The magnificent building was built in 1791, at the site of a former church at cathedral street.Sri Manakula Vinayakar Temple
The fmous 18th century shrine of Lord Ganesha is located just behind the Raj Bhavan. The presiding deity is also referred as Vellakkarm (white man) pillai (Ganesha).Arikamedu (4 km)
Excavations have revealed that a port town flourished here about 2,000 years ago. It had trade links with Rome and Greece as early as 2nd century BC and roman settlements are sais to have existed here.Paradise Beach, chunnambar (8 km)
The picturesque beach lies near the mouth of the backwaters, along the cuddalore Main road. It is perfect place for a leisurely holiday and beeach sports. The Pondicherry Tourism (PTTDC) runs chunnambar Beach and Backwater Resort and provides facilities for boating, backwater boat tours, trekking, beach sports and picnics set.Around Puduchcheri
Auroville (10 km)
Alluring Auroville, the international utopian city was founded by Mother Mirra Alfassa, the chief disciple of Sri Aurobindo Ghose and was designed by the French architect Roger anger. Sri Auronindo and the Mother sought to achieve the ideal international commune and the city was conceived as an experiment in international living, where all the human beings, rising above their creeds, castes, politics and nationalities could live in peace and progressive harmony. It was inaugurated on February] 28, 1968, when youths representing 128 nations and all states of Indian Union placed earth from their native places in a lotus shaped urn near the Matri Mandir, symbolishing the creation of a city dedicated to human unity and international understanding.Situated just across the border in the state of Tamil Nadu, Auroville, about 10 km away from Pondicherry, is a unique experience in itself. The place, also known as 'City of Dawn,' was founded in 1968 as a tribute to Sri Aurobindo. It is a lush green cover created over 25 years by sheer hard work and dedication. The place is spread over 50 Sq. km and has a population of over 900. The Mata Mandir situated in the centre of the town is the spiritual centre with a 30-metre-high globe with lotus-shaped foundation urn.