Aayi Kulam, Muthirapalayam, Puducherry

Aayi Kulam, Muthirapalayam, Puducherry

Aayi Kulam is a historical pond located in Muthirapalayam, an outskirt of Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry.

History

King Krishandevaraya, the ruler of the prosperous Vijayanagara empire, ruled over the Deccan. His empire stretched from Karnataka to Kanyakumari. One day, the king set out from his capital at Hampi and went on a tour of his kingdom. While traveling through Pondicherry, a trading city and a sea port on the eastern coast of his empire, was travelling through Ozhukarai (presently the Oulgaret municipality) to meet a nobleman, Uyyakonda Mudaliar. a beautiful building caught the king’s eye. The king looked with amazement at the building’s architecture and it carvings. The religious king thought it was a temple. He knelt on the street and bowed down before it with folded hands.

The people around looked at the king with surprise. There was a stunned silence. The young men and women were hiding behind their elders and giggling. A wise old man walked up to the king and asked him, “Your Majesty, why are you bowing down in front of a brothel?” The king looked up in horror. He caught the old man by his throat and demanded an explanation. The old man croaked, “Sire, this is a brothel. It is run by a prostitute called Aayi”. The king loosened his grip. The old man collapsed on the street.

The embarrassed king roared with anger. He ordered his soldiers to bring the prostitute to him and tear the building down from its roots. The soldiers got hammers and axes and started demolishing the brothel. The prostitute, Aayi, was brought to the king in chains. She fell on the kings feet and asked for mercy. She begged the king to spare the house, but the king’s ego was deeply bruised. He did not listen to her. Aayi, in a desperate plea, asked the king, the permission to break down the house herself. The king agreed.

The prostitute broke down her beautiful house and, in its place, dug a water tank for the people around. The place was known as Aayi Kulam in her memory. Years later, the French made Pondicherry their capital in India. The French town on the sea shore faced an acute water shortage. All the wells they dug had only salty water. The French King, Napoleon III, sent an architect, Monsieur Lamairesse to sort out the problem. The architect built a 5 km long tunnel from Aayi Kulam to a park in the French part of the town.

The French king heard about the story behind the water tank, was deeply impressed. The Governor of Pondicherry sent a letter to the French king thanking him for sending the architect, Mon. Lamairesse. The King told him to thank Aayi and wrote that she deserved a monument. He ordered the architect to build a monument for Aayi. The monument was built in French architectural style at the center of the park. This Monument is still can be seen in the center of Bharathi park located near the Rock Beach.

Aayi is not Puducherry’s lone philanthropist. Devadasis Bangari, Oosi and Singari were also instrumental in taking up welfare projects. Aayi’s sister Oosi is supposed to have renovated the massive Ousteri Lake, spread across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry while Bangari was responsible for the construction of the Bangaru Vaikkal which channels water from the Pennaiyar river into the Bahour cascading tank system. Stone inscriptions and, researches proved it is not merely figments of one’s imagination. Ousteri, Bahour Lake and the Bangaru Vaickal are robust and still functional.

Aayi Kulam

It was once a big pond of fresh water and associated with the perennial drinking water project of Puducherry during the French regime. It is now in a very pathetic state. Aayi Kulam was used as the local Mariamman temple’s Theppa Kulam or pond for ceremonial use in recent past. During festivities, temple deities were brought out to the pond and people gathered around to celebrate. It looks like a normal pond without any water.

Connectivity

Aayi Kulam is located at about at about 100 meters from Muthirayarpalayam Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Osudu Lake, 6 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 6.5 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 6 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 149 Kms from Chennai Airport. Aayi Kulam is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to Vazhudavur / Pathukannu Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Muthirayarpalayam Bus Stop. Aayi Kulam is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop.

PRTC Bus 12 A is plying between Pondicherry Bus Stand to Pathukannu will stop at Muthirayarpalayam Bus Stop. All the other private buses running in this route also stops here. Tempos from Muruga Theatre Signal also takes you to this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this pond from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Kizhoor Referendum Monument, Villianur, Puducherry

Kizhoor Referendum Monument, Villianur, Puducherry

Kizhoor Referendum Monument is a heritage structure located in Kizhoor Village in Villianur Commune in Puducherry District in Union Territory of Puducherry. Kizhoor has an important place in the Indian Independence Movement. French Government had conducted a Referendum in Kizhoor either to continue as a French Colonial State or to unite with the Indian nation. The French government conceded the merger of Puducherry and other French establishments to India at Kizhoor.

Pondicherry played a dual role in the history of the freedom movement. It fought for its own freedom and also gave tremendous support to India’s independence struggle against the British. The post-independence government initiated discussions to integrate the French-Indian territories with the country. The National Youth Congress began a Satyagraha. Pro-merger processions were organized by freedom fighters who were often lathi-charged, their flags seized and torn by the French-Indian police.

A momentous event in Pondicherry’s freedom movement occurred on 18 October 1954 when all elected members of the Representative Assembly and the Municipal Councils met to consider the joint proposals of the French and Indian Governments for a final settlement through a Referendum. This is known as Kizhoor Congress. Monsieur Balasubramanian, President of Assemblée Réprésentative, was the presiding officer of the congress which voted in secret ballot. An overwhelming majority of 170 out of 178 members favored the merger of French Indian territories with India.

France transferred its last four territories — Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe — to India on November 1, 1954. M R K Nehru, General Secretary of Foreign Affairs, hoisted the Indian flag. Kewal Singh, the first High Commissioner of the new state and Pierre Landy, special diplomatic representative of the French Republic Government, exchanged signatures at the Governor’s transfer of power ceremony. It was on August 16, 1962 that, in adherence to the time-tested template of the voice of the people being the voice of God, the French Government conceded the merger of Puducherry and other French establishments through De Jure Transfer.

This was a direct sequel to the verdict registered at a referendum for merger of Puducherry with the Indian Union. A Monument called Kizhoor Referendum Monument, was constructed at Kizhoor in remembrance to this event. The Monument is located at about 2 Km from Pakkam Kootroad Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Nallathur, 7 Kms from Ariyur, 7 Kms from Chinna Babu Samudram Railway Station, 13 Kms from Villianur, 14 Kms from Villianur Railway Station, 16 Kms from Thavalakuppam, 22 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 23 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 24 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 163 Kms from Chennai Airport.

The Monument is situated on Pondicherry to Maducarai Bus Route via Thavalakuppam. Tourists can take PRTC Bus No 20 and get down at Pakkam Kootroad Bus Stop. The Monument can be reached by taking local auto from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Monument from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry, Chinna Babu Samudhram and Villianur. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

New Light House, Puducherry

New Light House, Puducherry

Puducherry New Light House is located at Dubrayapet near Puducherry Railway Station in Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. This Light House was commissioned in 1979 and is administered by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, Chennai, under the Ministry of Shipping. The black and white lighthouse provides a panoramic view of the Harbour, the Indira Gandhi Stadium and the Thengaithittu estuary from its main gallery. The 48-metre tall lighthouse, along with other lighthouses in the Tamil Nadu region, was closed to the public in 1993 following threats from the LTTE to Central government installations.

The light house is the new one situated towards the south of Pondicherry rock beach. It is a lively experience to see the view after climbing so many stairs. The place is generally filled with people. You need to open shoes and then enter. The place is maintained well but there are scribblings in the wall. Entry fee is Rs. 10 for an adult and it is open on all days, from 3p.m. to 5p.m. including Sundays and public holidays. Foreigners are charged a reasonable price (25 INR). There are extra charges for photography.

The Light House is located at about 3 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 8 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. This Light House is not connected by Bus. Tourists must take auto from Puducherry Railway Station or Bus Stand or by own vehicle should visit this Light House. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

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

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

Chinna Manikoondu (Petite Tower Clock), Puducherry

Chinna Manikoondu (Petite Tower Clock), Puducherry

Chinna Manikoondu (Petite Tower Clock) is located at the Junction of Mahatma Gandhi Street and Bussy Street 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

The Clock Tower stands high in the most happening place, where people moving in and fro to the Bazaar /market called as Chinna Mani Kundu or Chinna Kadai (The Petite Bazaar in French). It stands high with a height of 25 feet built in lime mortar near the cutting of Bussy Street and Mahatma Gandhi Road. The big tower clock was donated by Cou Latchoumanasamy Chettiar in the year 1892. The Clock Tower is located just beside the Chinnakadai / Chinna Manikoondu Bus Stop. The Clock Tower is located at about 600 meters from Puducherry Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 6 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 Chinnakadai / Chinna Manikoondu 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.

Location

Nehru Statue, Pondicherry

Nehru Statue, Pondicherry

Nehru Statue is located across the street standing face to face from the imposing Gandhi statue, the Nehru statue is also flanked by four pillars from Gingee. The space in front plays host to various cultural, musical and commercial activities throughout the year. It was built in honor of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, this imposing structure stands on the eastern end of the Gandhi Thidal directly facing the Mahatma Gandhi Statue.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, along with Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most influential leaders during and after India's freedom struggle. The pristine white statue, although not as tall as the Mahatma Gandhi statue, is placed on a fairly tall pedestal, which makes it of a comparable height. Nehru Statue is located on the eastern end of the Gandhi Thidal directly facing the Mahatma Gandhi Statue and located in front of Bharathi Park. This is located very near to the Beach Front.

The Statue is located at about 600 meters from Government Hospital Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 5 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Statue is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Government Hospital Bus Stop. The Statue is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Statue from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Puducherry

Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Puducherry

Mahatma Gandhi Statue is located on the beach front of Pondicherry. Built by the famous sculptor Roy Choudhary from Madras School of Art and Crafts, it is one of the major landmarks in Pondicherry. It is surrounded by eight exquisitely carved monolithic granite pillars which were brought from Gingee Fort. The statue stands 4 m (13 feet) high is the 3^rd biggest Mahatma Gandhi statue. The pillars were erected in 1866, while the statue, placed opposite the old Pier, was inaugurated on January 26, 1965. The Gandhi Statue stands beneath a canopy, and is raised above the ground by sloping concrete legs.

In the early evening the Mahatma gazes down at the numerous kids who make use of his pedestal as a playground slide. Out to sea behind the statue, there are a number of short poles protruding above the water level. These are all that remains of Pondicherry's former pier for loading/unloading ships. Also behind the statue, there is a reminder of Pondy's French past. Where Gandhi now stands used to be the Place de la république in French times.

There is a tunnel below the Gandhi statue that leads all the way to Gingee. The Government even took efforts to desilt the tunnel. But, after a few people died of suffocation while walking through it, the tunnel was closed for good in the 1960s. The square in front of the statue, referred to as Gandhi Thidal, plays host to various cultural, musical and commercial activities through the year.

The Statue is situated in the Beach Road / Goubert Avenue of Puducherry Town. The Statue is located at about 600 meters from Government Hospital Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 5 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Statue is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Government Hospital Bus Stop. The Statue is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Statue from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Kargil War Memorial, Puducherry

Kargil War Memorial, Puducherry

Kargil War Memorial is located on the beach Road of Puducherry. The Memorial was built by the Indian army, in remembrance of a war which was far from conventional or even widely spread, but yet claimed the lives of 527 of India's bravest soldiers. It is located opposite to the Chief Secretariat Office, at the northern end of the main Puducherry Beach. The main memorial has an inscription on a marble plate that says “Government of India War Memorial” with a rifle and a soldier’s cap over it. There is an array of stone pillars of variable lengths that surround the memorial.

The Memorial is located at about 500 meters from Aurobindo Ashram Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 5 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Memorial is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Aurobindo Ashram Bus Stop. The Memorial is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Memorial from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location

Joan of Arc Statue, Puducherry

Joan of Arc Statue, Puducherry

Joan of Arc Statue is located on the Dumas Street parallel to the Beach Road of Puducherry. The Statue is standing adjacent to the Notre Dame des Anges (Church of Our Lady of our Angels), locally known as the Pink Church, Joan of Arc’s marble frame may cause onlookers to wonder. Joan of Arc is a national heroine in France and the French have always been fascinated with her. According to the plaque resting against the statue, both the finely carved marble statue and the sea-facing square around it were donated by French industrialist and politician Francois Gaudart to the church parish in February 1920.

The Statue is standing at the center of the Joan of Arc Park on Dumas Street. This beautifully crafted statue is a memorial to the great French warrior and saint. Although not very large in size when compared to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi or Jawaharlal Nehru, this one has some fine craftsmanship which is immediately evident. It is among the oldest statues currently standing in Puducherry and a solemn tribute to the celebrated French warrior.

The Statue is located at about 600 meters from Government Hospital Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 5 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Statue is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Government Hospital Bus Stop. The Statue is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Statue from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location