Periya Manikoondu (Grand Tower Clock), Puducherry

Periya Manikoondu (Grand Tower Clock), Puducherry

Periya Manikoondu (Grand Tower Clock) is located inside the Goubert Bazar (Grand Bazar) in the heart of Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. Goubert Bazar is flanked by the JN Street, Anandha Ranga Pillai Street, Mahatma Gandhi Road and Bharathi Street. The Bazar can be accessed from any of these streets. The French colonial period of Pondicherry saw trades on seas and development of education as well as health systems in Puducherry. There are three Tower Clocks in Puducherry from French Colonial Period. 

The story of three clocks (Tours de l'horloge) has a special place in History of Puducherry and still stands as an epitome of Pondicherry city. They are;

·        Chinna Mani Koondu / Petite Tower Clock

·        Periya Mani Koondu/ Grand Tower Clock

·        Muthialpet Tower Clock

The bazaar was created in 1826 and as to its name, it is much bigger in size compared to the Chinna Kadai. The clock tower was built in the year 1851 by Dayrianadin in the name of his uncle Diagou Modeliar and so it is even called as Diagou Mudaliar Clock Tower. The Clock Tower is located at about 600 meters from Aurobindo Ashram Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 2 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport.

The Clock Tower is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Aurobindo Ashram Bus Stop. The Clock Tower is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Clock Tower from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Dhakshinamoorthy Swamy Jeeva Samadhi, Pallithennal, Villupuram

Dhakshinamoorthy Swamy Jeeva Samadhi, Pallithennal, Villupuram

Dhakshinamoorthy Swamy Jeeva Samadhi is a Hindu Burial Shrine of Siddhar Dhakshinamoorthy Swamy located at Pallithennal Village near Puducherry in Villupuram District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is located at about 100 meters from Pallithennal Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Kandamangalam, 8 Kms from Thiruvandarkoil, 4 Kms from Villianur, 5 Kms from Chinna Babu Samudram Railway Station, 13 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 16 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 5 Kms from Villianur Railway Station, 26 Kms from Villupuram, 27 Kms from Villupuram Railway Station, 153 Kms from Chennai Airport and 164 Kms from Chennai.

The Temple is located on the Puducherry – Villupuram highway. Bus facilities are available from both ends. Buses are available for every 10 minutes from Puducherry Main Bus Stand and Villupuram Bus Stand. From Pondicherry, take the Villupuram bound Bus and get down at Pallithennal Bus Stop. This Temple is situated at a walkable distance from the Bus Stop. The Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation and The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates bus services from Pondicherry to Villupuram via Pallithennal. Nearest Railway Station is located at Chinna Babu Samudram, Villianur and Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Ousteri Wetland and National Park, Puducherry

Ousteri Wetland and National Park, Puducherry

Ousteri Wetland and National Park is located is situated at Osudu Village on Pondicherry – Villupuram Road via Osudu at Puducherry in Union Territory of Puducherry. The century old man-made Ousteri Lake - also referred to as Osudu Lake - is situated about 10 kms from Puducherry town. The Lake has been recognized as one of the important wetlands of Asia by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and it is the most important freshwater lake in the Pondicherry region. Bombay Natural History Society has also nominated it as an Important Bird Area.

History

The tank, constructed during the Vijayanagara dynasty some 500 years ago, is connected through the Suthukanni channel to Gingee and Varaha Rivers.

Ousteri Wetland and National Park

The wetland covers an area of about 390 ha (lies in both Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry) with a wide range of aquatic species and is mainly a bird sanctuary. The structure of the lake is complex - consisting of water, wetland/marsh and mudflats; it acts as the single largest catchment of fresh water in Puducherry. The vegetation ranges from small herbs to trees, which supports migratory avifauna as well as native birds during summer and winter. 

The government of Pondicherry is proposing to set up an Ousteri National Park in the region acquiring lands from neighboring villages. More than forty migratory birds reside throughout the year at the Ousteri Lake. According to the Tourism Department, different species of golden oriole, open-bill stork, tailor bird, painted stork, white ibis, white-breasted water-hen and spotted owlets visit the water-body particularly after November every year.

In 1995 the lake recorded some 20,000 birds and in 1998 it went up to 25,000 birds of 44 species (BNHS, 2004). In addition to residents like Little Cormorant and Common Coot, Cotton Teal, Spot-billed Pelican, Spoonbills, White Ibis; migratory species like the Eurasian Wigeon were recorded in large numbers (up to 4600 individuals). Various species of ducks, herons, cormorants, hawks, kites, darters, terns, kingfishers, lapwings, flycatchers were abundant.

Ousteri plays a vital role in recharging the ground water aquifers. The Ousteri lake protects the level of groundwater and acts as an alternative source of drinking water. The Puducherry government has proposed to draw water from Ousteri Lake to meet the drinking water needs of Puducherry residents.

Conservation

Ousteri Lake will be developed on the lines of Vedanthangal water bird sanctuary near Chennai. The forest department has decided to document the varieties of birds visiting Pondicherry to update and prepare a comprehensive database about the winger visitors.  Under the government's renovation plan the region near the lake will be make litter-free so that it becomes favourable of the migratory birds. The lake region will be declared as no-horn and plastic free zone. They will take care of the maintenance of the newly declared bird sanctuary.

Sign boards with complete details of birds and eight feet by six feet multicolor paintings of birds will be set up at different places of the sanctuary. The department will also plant more tress near the water body. Apart from these, a three-floor interpretation centre with library and audiovisual room and a small park will also be established. The centre will enable visitors to attain complete information about the birds visiting the water body. 

Two telescopes are also proposed to be set up at the top of the centre to watch the birds. The government has planned to develop the region as a complete eco-tourism tourist destination. The tourism department has proposed to ban motor boating and fishing in the lake. Instead, pedal boating is introduced for visitor's leisure. The best time to visit here is from October to March.

Threats

The lake, however, faces numerous threats. Dredging and de-silting by the authorities has caused removal of some useful weeds that the birds would nest on. Trees have been uprooted to make the spot suitable for a children’s park; only a few trees stand on the lakeside giving just a handful of tree-nesting birds the opportunity to breed here. The lake is also facing problems of poaching, fertilizer poisoning, plastic waste pollution and inflow of various other pollutants that also flow in from nearby manufactories. Motor and pedal boats regularly ply in the lake when the water level is sufficiently high and that also happens to be the bird season.

A big hospital has been constructed nearby and a restaurant-cum-bar has grown ostentatiously.  Further urbanization, as has been proposed, around the lake will only add to the commotion and noise and additional pollution. Although the Government declared it a bird sanctuary in 2008, no positive action was taken to match the declaration. The Government has formed a committee that will take suitable action and will look into rights of different individuals and groups around the lake. The authorities have assured us that all-out action will be taken to maintain the integrity of the lake as a bird sanctuary once all the formalities are over.

Facilities

PTDC operates a small boat club at the lake. The 20-seater boats offer a 30-min ride that allows visitors to enjoy the cool breeze and visual treats. Kindly note that each Boat Ride requires a minimum head count. Rides will not start without the minimum Pax requirement. Boat Rides, Camera, Food and beverages are chargeable.

Ousteri Lake is located towards north at a distance of 10 km from Pondicherry town (Pondicherry– Villupuram road).

Connectivity

The Lake is located at about 500 meters from Osudu Eri Bus Stop, 2.5 kms from Pathukkannu Bus Stop, 10 Kms from Puducherry, 10 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 11 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 10 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Lake is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to Pathukkannu Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Osudu Eri Bus Stop. The Lake is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Lake from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Villianur, Puducherry

Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Villianur, Puducherry

Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine is a famous Marian shrine located in Villianur Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. This Church has a significant place in the history of the Catholic Church as the First Church in the World, other than that is in Lourdes – France, to be dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. The devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes in Asia in general and in India in particular has its roots in Villianur.

History

This Roman Catholic Church is devoted to Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1867, the MEP missionaries of Pondicherry wished to build a Chapel at Villianur which is 13 Kilometers away from Pondicherry on the road to Villupuram. Hence the diocese has bought a piece of land at Villianur and Rev. Fr. Gou, then procurator of the Pondicherry mission after a long negotiation with the Hindu temple authorities of Thirukameswarar Gogilambigai Temple started to build a Chapel at Kanuvapet on the outskirts of Villianur, with the amount of the thanksgiving offering of Dr. Lephine’s family for the miraculous cure of his daughter in exchange.

It had taken at least 10 years to complete the Chapel. And Rev.Fr. Tharbes a cousin brother of Bernadette, the visionary of Lourdes, was appointed as the Parish Priest of Villianur mission. Since he had a direct report of the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes. And, this seems to be the first in the world to be named after Our Lady of Lourdes outside Lourdes, France. Added to that one pious Lady has paid for a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and made it come from Lourdes under the direct supervision of Bernadette. It was on the 4th April 1877 the statue arrived at Pondicherry and was taken to the Cathedral after the three dangerous falls of the box containing the Holy Mother’s Statue.

To everybody’s amaze, the statue was intact and beautiful. And during the Statue’s stay at the Cathedral, a pious man called Thambusamy Mudaliyar, a native of Kumbakonam who was on his way to Chennai for the surgical intervention for the extra growth of flesh on his left eye, had prayed to Our Lady of Lourdes and was cured by a vision of Our Lady of Lourdes during a dream at the same night about 3 am This attracted a lot of crowd to the Cathedral and so the missionaries sent the statue soon to Villianur, on the 7th of April itself.

After some hurdles, Our Lady of Lourdes statue chose her own way to come to Villianur on the 7th April. It was in 1885 the arch bishop Laouenan went to Rome and reported the numerous miracles that took place in this Shrine to the Holy Father and got permission on February 21st, 1886 to declare this as an official Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Villianur and to crown the statue in his name.

On his return from Rome, on 8th May 1886 during a grand celebration, witnessed by around 40,000 people during the pontifical high mass the arch bishop crowned the miraculous statue in the name of the pope Leo XIII and declared this church as the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Villianur and attached permanent plenary indulgences to this shrine.

Sacred Pond:

There was a natural pond in front of the chapel. it was once used as the water reservoir for the irrigation of the lands around and water came from the big Ousteri Lake which is 10 Kms away from here. And this pond was constructed by Fr. Lesbond, the Parish Priest, with donations from Zigon organized by Mr. Lesage. Mr. Larocgue from the people in Zigon got a statue from Lourdes and in 1924 and a solemn ceremony took place to install the statue in the middle of the sacred pond after the due consecration of the statue and the pond. It is believed by the people here that the pond water is miraculous and has the ability to cure the sick and bring good fortune. This is the only Catholic church in Asia having a sacred pond in front of the church.

The Grotto:

19 years after Lourdes apparitions, the first church and grotto for Our Lady of Lourdes was constructed in 1877. The centenary celebrations were celebrated on 10 September 1977. As a remembrance of the centenary celebrations, Rev. Fr. Duissen built a big grotto in the garden of the church, which was consecrated by bishop Venmani S. Selvanather on 10 October 1978. The grotto which was inside the church was modified as per the instruction of the Second Vatican Council.

The Stations of the Cross:

In 2009, The Stations of the Cross were constructed around the 'Sacred Pond'.

The 125th Anniversary Celebrations:

In 08, October 2011, on the 125th anniversary of the crowning of the statue by the Pope, Archbishop Rev. Mgr. Antony Anandarayar crowned the Statue again with a diamond crown.

A New Church:

As the existing Church could not accommodate the growing number of pilgrims, a new Church is planned with the approval of Archbishop Most. Rev. Dr. Antony Anandarayar. On 10 September 2011, Rev. Fr. A. Arulanandam, the Vicar General of Archdiocese blessed and officially commenced the construction work for the church. Rev. Fr. C. Joseph Arumaiselvam, the procurator and many other priests were present at the event. Construction was completed in 2015.

Mass Timings

·        Week Days: 6:00 a.m – Mass

·        Saturday: 6:00 a.m, 11:30 a.m, 6:00 p.m - Mass

·        I Saturday: 5:30 a.m, 6:45 a.m, 11:30 a.m – Mass; 6:00 p.m – Mass & Car Procession

·        Sunday: 6:00 a.m, 7:30 a.m – Mass; 5:30 p.m – Mass & Car Procession

Feasts & Other Celebrations

Annual Feast:

Annual feast of Our Lady of Lourdes shrine commences with the nine days of Novena and flag hoisting on the 6th day after Easter Sunday. The car procession is done during these days. The feast day is on the 15th day after Easter. This is a Puducherry state Christian festival.

The Holy Water from Lourdes:

Every first Saturday in the month of August, The Holy Water from Lourdes Church, France is poured into the 'Sacred Pond' at Villianur Shrine. This event is attended by thousands of devotees every year.

Pilgrimage on foot:

As a sign of gratitude to Our Lady, for saving the city from a cyclone, the first pilgrimage on foot took place on 10 October 1977 from Pondicherry and this tradition is still continued on the second Saturday in the month of October. It starts from Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Pondicherry and ends in the shrine covering approximately 12 Kms.

Contact

Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Villianur

Church Street, Villianur,

Puducherry – 605 110

Phone: +91 413 266 6363

Mobile: +91 94430 91523

Email: frsrichard@yahoo.in / s.richard@sify.com

Web: http://www.villianurshrine.com/

Connectivity

The Church is located at about 1 Km from Villianur Bus Stop, 1 Km from Villianur Thirukameswarar Temple, 2 Kms from Villianur Railway Station, 9 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 11 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 30 Kms from Villupuram Railway Station, 32 Kms from Villupuram, 152 Kms from Chennai Airport and 161 Kms from Chennai.

The Church is located on the Puducherry – Villupuram Road near Villianur Bus Stop and Villianur Thirukameswarar Temple. Bus facilities are available from both Puducherry and Villupuram. Buses are available for every 10 minutes from Puducherry Main Bus Stand and Villupuram Bus Stand. Nearest Railway Station is located at Villianur and Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location | Photos

Nallavadu Beach, Ariyankuppam, Puducherry

Nallavadu Beach, Ariyankuppam, Puducherry

Nallavadu Beach is one of the most beautiful Beaches located off the Pondicherry to Cuddalore Road after Chunnambar Boat House in Nallavadu Village in Ariyankuppam Commune in Puducherry District in Union Territory of Puducherry. This Beach is largely perceived to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Pondicherry. Its pristine golden sands, playing hide and seek with the shimmering waters of the Bay of Bengal; its secluded and quiet ambience are unbeatable and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

You can also witness a large number of fishing boats and some greenery in the form of creepers as you explore the beach. Visitors and locals love to spend moments of repose and relaxation here as the beach is also not over-crowded. The beach is located at about 3 Kms from Thavalakuppam Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Pooranakuppam Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Ariyankuppam, 11 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 12 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 15 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 157 Kms from Chennai Airport.

The Beach is situated on Pondicherry to Cuddalore Bus Route connecting Puducherry and Cuddalore. Tourists can take the Cuddalore bound Bus and get down at Thavalakuppam Bus Stop. The Beach can be reached by Autos available from this Bus Stop. PRTC Bus No 14A, 22A and 22B from Pondicherry Main Bus Stand will take you directly to the Nallavadu Village. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Beach from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Nagalinga Swamy Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Ambalathadiyar Madam, Puducherry

Nagalinga Swamy Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Ambalathadiyar Madam, Puducherry

Nagalinga Swamy Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi Temple is a Hindu Burial Shrine located inside Ambalathadiyar Madam in Ambalathadiyar Madam Street in Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. It is believed that the original palm script of Thiruvasagam can be found in this Madam. This place is also considered as a Guru Sthalam. Dakshinamoorthy is very powerful here.

The Temple is situated in Ambalathadiyar Madam Street / Kosakadai Street very near to Chetty Koil in the heart of Puducherry Town. The Temple is located at about 300 meters Aurobindo Ashram Bus Stop, 2.5 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 6 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 148 Kms from Chennai Airport.

The Temple is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Devotee can get down at Aurobindo Ashram Bus Stop. The Temple is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this temple from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Muvahidya Masjid, Puducherry

Muvahidya Masjid, Puducherry

Muvahidya Masjid is a Muslim religious place located in H.M. Kassim Salai near White Town area in Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. The Mosque was built by the Munchi family in 1874. The Mosque is located at about 500 meters from Puducherry Railway Station, 650 meters from Chinna Kadai Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport.

The Mosque is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Devotee can get down at Chinna Kadai Bus Stop. The Mosque is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Mosque from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Muthialpet Manikoondu (Tower Clock), Puducherry

Muthialpet Manikoondu (Tower Clock), Puducherry

Muthialpet Manikoondu (Tower Clock) is located at Muthialpet near Muthialpet Police Station in Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. The French colonial period of Pondicherry saw trades on seas and development of education as well as health systems in Puducherry. There are three Tower Clocks in Puducherry from French Colonial Period. 

The story of three clocks (Tours de l'horloge) has a special place in History of Puducherry and still stands as an epitome of Pondicherry city. They are;

·        Chinna Mani Koondu / Petite Tower Clock

·        Periya Mani Koondu/ Grand Tower Clock

·        Muthialpet Tower Clock

This is the smaller version of clock tower among the three. This can be seen in the three-way cutting of Muthialpet Market, Karuvadikuppam road and MG Road. The Clock Tower is located just beside the Muthialpet Mani Koondu Bus Stop. The Clock Tower is located at about 4 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 4 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 10 Kms from Auroville and 148 Kms from Chennai Airport.

The Clock Tower is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Muthialpet Mani Koondu Bus Stop. The Clock Tower is located just besides this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Clock Tower from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai. Tourists going towards Auroville can stop here for a moment to have a glimpse of this French heritage.

Location