Pondicherry is the French interpretation of the original name "Puducheri". The word "Puducheri" means the new settlement. Many pilgrims have shared the town's hospitality on their way to the temple town of Rameshwaram, thus enriching its culture. Pondicherry is the tiny union territory which covers an area of 494 square kms. Situated on the south coast of Madras, Pondicherry was a French town from 1674 to 1954 when it became part of India
MANAKULA VINAYAGER TEMPLE
The ManakulaVinayagar Temple is one of the famous ancient temple is in Puducherry, a Union Territory situated in the southern part of Indian sub-continent. The temple is 400 meters West of Bay of Bengal Sea, 165 Km South of Chennai (Capital of Tamil Nadu State), 23 Km of North of Cuddalore and 35 Km East of Villupuram, TamilNadu
VEDAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE
The temple is devoted to Lord Vedapuresswarar who came here and imparted his spiritual knowledge regarding the Vedas. According to legend, it is in this sacred place that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar used his holy miraculous powers and transformed a male palm tree into a female palm tree.
SANIBAGAVAN TEMPLE
Though Saneeswaran here is very famous, the presiding deity is Dharbaranyeswarar. His Consort is Bogamartha Poon Mulayal or Praanaambikai. The lingam here is a self manifested Lingam or Swayambhu. The Sthalavruksham is Dharba or grass. This place was a forest of Dharba.
AAYI MANDAPAM
The magnificent Aayi Mandapam in Pondicherry is one of the reasons behind the popularity of the Government Park or the Bharati Park. The tower stands majestically at the center of the park, enhancing its look. The AayiMandapam monument was built in accordance to the Greco - Roman style of Architecture. Visitors in the park get enchanted with the presence of this wonderful architectural brilliance. Especially in the evenings, the AayiMandapam looks beautiful with the help of sparkling illuminations.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Botanical garden was created 1826 and was then called "The Colonial Park". The renowned botanist Perottet brought many rare species of plants, about 1500 of them, from places like Madras, Calcutta, Ceylon and Reunion.