Tourism -Pondicherry

Pondicherry Museum located on Saint Louis street, is open on all days except Mondays and national holidays from 10 am to 5pm. On the ground floor, the major attraction is the central space with 3 curious transport mechanisms-a coach, a palanquin (sedan chair) and a pousse-pousse which required two attendants, one to steer and one to push.

The bronze gallery displays the images of gods and goddesses together with a wide collection of temple lamps; used across different dynasties down centuries.

Pre-Christian relics which we see here, such as remnants of Greek and Roman amphora jars, pieces from the Tsung periods in China and beads made from glass and precious stones were dug out from the Arikamedu site, 7kms south of Pondicherry. The museum also has a Geology room, a shell and fossil room and a collection of handicrafts, coins, church relics and French furniture.

Bharati museum

Bharati Museum is located at No 20, Eswaran Koil Street where the famous Tamil poet-patriot Subramanya Bharathi (1882-1921), lived after arriving in 1908 seeking refuge from British India. Here enjoying the free French environment, Bharathi wrote some of his finest patriotic and romantic compositions.

Bharathidasan Memorial Museum

The museum at No 95, Perumal Koil Street, is the home of Kanakasubhuratnam who adopted the name 'Bharatidasan' meaning disciple of Bharati which has become the second place of literary pilgrimage. This Puducherry born poet and playwright has also written scripts for patriotic films.

Jawahar Toy Museum

Jawahar Toy Museum, Goubert Salai, has a small collection of costume dolls (dancers, professions) from different states; a 15 minutes diversion. Located next to the old lighthouse the museum is open on all days except Monday.

Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum

Ananda Ranga Pillai was the dubash of Dupleix, the governor of Puducherry. His mansion, a mix of French and Indian styles built in 1738, serves as museum now and holds a compilation of his diaries which is a storehouse of information on the 18th century French India.