Pondicherry
is oval-shaped, with streets aligned at right angles. The skilfully planned
township is distinguished by a 3 km long espalanade which skirts the town
and encloses the tourist attractions. Raj Niwas, where Dupleix once
lived, (now,the residence of an Indian Lt. Governor) has a garden with
a sculpture of Lord Vishnu as the 'varaha avatar' (boar incarnation) together
with the earth goddess Lakshmi. The Government Park is well-planned
with flower beds and fountains, one of them dating back to the period of
Napoleon III (1852-1870). The Botanical Gardens, conceived in 1826,
boast a variety of rare and exotic plants from India and abroad, and the
Sama Koil church, once a temple of Shiva is impressive with a grotto
of Mother Mary. The beautiful unspoilt beach, the aquarium, Poet Bharathi
and Bharatidasan memorial museums, First World War Memorial, Ousteri
lake and Joan of Arc Square are the other spots of tourist interest.
Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
The
Pondicherry Museum has whole suites furnished in the French style, in vogue,
at the time of occupation. Marble sculptures include the Cupid and Psyche,
Venus and Spring pieces. The Art Gallery contains invaluable archaelogical
finds pertaining to Roman, French and Hindu cultures.The Arms Gallery is
yet another fascinating feature of this museum. The Romain Rolland Library
has over 60,000 volumes, including rare French books. The Manakula Vinaynagar
Temple on Rue d'Orleans, the 12th century Sri Tirukameswarar Temple
at Vilayanur and the 7th century Thiruvandar Temple are shrines
built in the Chola period, in the 10th-12th centuries.The Sacred Heart
Church, the Eglise de Notre Dame de Anges and the Eglise
de Notre Dame de Lourdes are the other interesting historical sites.
Some 160 kms south in Karaikal of Thirunallar is the only temple in the country
dedicated to Lord Saturn(Dharbaranyeswarar Temple). More
than two thousand pilgrims visit this temple everyday.
Every third year a "mini Kumbh Mela" of sorts
named "Sani Peyarchi Festival" attracts lakhs
of pilgrims. Not for away from here are two famous
shrines of Our Lady of Health at Velankanni and Dargah at
Nagoor, Karaikal is the "gate-way to various places
of worship" in the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. The
well-preserved Danish Fort at Tranquar(Dansborg) is just
8 kms from here.
Pondicherry has 45 kms of frothy and picturesque coastline. Its beaches
are virgin; the golden yellow sand is unpolluted. The
continental slope is gentle and safe. It has all the
potential of becoming a beach resort of world fame. There
are many mass festivals like Veerampattinam Festival,
Masi Magam etc. which culminate on the beaches. The
vibrant Indian spiritualism has to be seen to be believed on such occasions.
There are several interesting backwater lagoons and estuaries fanned by swaying palms, waiting to be developed as pleasure and relaxation spots. Chunnambar has already become a fascinating place of boating, sailing and kayaking earning a place on tourist map.
