Take a complete round of the town, discovering its many highlights on the way. The most impressive structure in the heart of the town is Raj Niwas, once the residence of Joseph Francois Dupleix, a French Governor. It has an impressive garden with a sculpture of the Varha Avatar or boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. While the Government Park with its well-planned flower beds and fountains is worth a visit, more so for a fountain that dates back to the 19th century, the Botanical Gardens, established in 1826 preserve a large variety of exotic species of plants from around the world. The First World War Memorial, the Joan of Arc Square, the Lighthouse and the Place de la Republique are other places that must be visited for their quintessential French characteristics although at the last one, Gandhi's statue has replaced Dupleix's.more
The notable churches worth a visit are the Church of the Capuchins that was built on the lines of the Basilica in Lourdes and the Sacred Heart Cathedral noted for its gothic architecture and stained glass panels that depict the entire life of Jesus Christ. The Church of Our Lady of the Angels, noted for an oil painting of Our Lady of Assumption given to the church by King Louis Napoleon III and the oldest Christian Shrine, the 17th century Chapel of Our Sisters of Cluny, located 4 km south at Ariyankuppam are worth a visit too.
The one place that Pondicherry is renowned for around the world is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram dedicated to the great seer, poet and prophet of the twentieth century. Established by Sri Aurobindo and Mira Alfaasa, better known as The Mother, the Ashram sees devotees from far and wide, practicing the Yoga and philosophy of Sri Aurobindo to this day. The Ashram has its main center in rue de la Marine while the International Center across the road occasionally hosts films, lectures and other performances. The Library is open daily. Spend some time shopping for handmade paper, perfumes, incense, embroidered goods, marble works and many more things produced by the ashram inmates. The main area in the ashram is the Samadhi, where anyone can visit and pay respect to the remains of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. It has serene and peaceful environs. For visitors, whose birthday falls on the same day, special passes are issued that permit one to meditate in Sri Aurobindo's room. The Ashram remains open from 8 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Of the museums, the main Pondicherry Museum has a good sculpture gallery and a section on archaeological finds from the Roman settlement at Arikamedu. The French gallery charts the history of the colony and includes the four-poster bed on which Dupleix is believed to have slept. It also has a superb collection of snail shells from the Pondicherry region. Bharti and Bhartidasan Memorial Museum and Jawahar Toy Museum are a few others to choose from.
The Serenity Beach, within biking range from the town center to the north, is much better than the not-so-clean town beach and a very pleasant option for relaxing with few spectators. Other places worth a visit are the Water Sports Centre at Chunnambar Resort, the century old Anglo-French Textile Mills and the Mansion of Ananda Rangapillai which is a fine specimen of Indo-French architecture dating back to 1773.
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