Pondicherry is located around 160 kilometers from Chennai, the capital city of an Indian state Tamilnadu. It is a peaceful city known for its grand colonial mansions, monuments, temples and mosques. The golden sea shores in this city mesmerize the visitors and let them enjoy a relaxed vacation.

 

 

• Monuments:

The historical monuments in Pondicherry signify a variety of activities like battles, French rule and so on. You can view most of the monuments along the coast of the Promenade beach. The most important among them are the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Joan of Arc, the war memorial, Bharathi Memorial museum and the 19thy century lighthouse.

Aayimandapam is one of the marvelous monuments in Pondicherry. It is a white monument located at the heart of the City. It was built during the reign of Napoleon III (French emperor) and it stands as a stunning symbol of Greco-Roman architectural style. Anada Ranga Pillai Mansion was built around 1738 and it is a unique blend of French and Indian architectural styles. Pillai was a famous Dubash of the French Governor Dupleix.

 

Temples:

Pondicherry is blessed with several important temples.

• The Varadaraja temple is the most eminent temple in Pondicherry dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was built in 12th century.

• The Vedhapureeswara temple devoted to Lord Shiva features 75 feet majestic raja gopura. The unique feature of this temple is that the main deity is a “Swayambu”, the Linga (a form of Shiva) believed to rise up and come into existence by itself.

• Manakkula Vinayakar temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is located behind the Raj Niwas on the shore. You can find the majestic figure of Lord Ganesha in the sanctum. It also boasts of a small Vinayaka image and serpent helix.

 

Churches:

Pondicherry is a home to many popular churches. Most of them were built by the French. The Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus features gorgeous marble decorations and paintings highlighting the life of Jesus in stained glass. Its white and brown structure is awe-inspiring.

 

Aurobindo Ashram:

Pondicherry is renowned all over the world, as it is the home to the Aurobindo Ashram. Shree Aurobindo, the great Indian Philosopher and his disciple The Mother established this Ashram in 1926. It becomes an educational center now and it hosts several lectures and play performances. You can see the Samadhi, a white marble shrine where the bodies of Shree Aurobindo and the Mother were laid at the center of this Ashram.

 

Beaches:

The beaches in Pondicherry are famous for their unspoiled beauty. The awfully clean blue waters and golden sand make them ideal for swimming, sunbathing or any other water sport activities like kayaking, canoeing and boating. They are bestowed with backwater lagoons, estuaries and swaying palms. Plage Paradiso is the most beautiful beach in Pondicherry, which is spread at a stretch of 1.5 kilometers of golden sands. Walking on the soft sand and enjoying the unexploited beauty of the surroundings can give you an unforgettable experience. Auroville beach is another awesome beach in Pondicherry. The water is shallow here, which makes it ideal for swimming.

 

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