Delegates wishing to
tour to places like Tirunallar, Chidambaram, Madurai, Kodaikanal,
Kanyakumari or travel from Chennai to Puducherry or vice
versa may contact the official
travel agent DIRECTLY:
Mr. R.A. Govindaradjalou/Mr. Vinoth
C/o. ISHTM 2008,
Amsham Travels
48-B, Chetty
Street
Puducherry - 605 001
Ph: (0413) 2338513/2339467
Mobile: 9442604452
Email: amshamtravels@airtelmail.in,
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Places of
Interest in Puducherry
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
It was established
by Sri Aurobindo, a revolutionary-turned-philosopher. It was later
developed by the Mother, a Paris-born painter-musician who became Sri
Aurobindo’s disciple. The Ashram has grown into a centre for the practice
of Integral Yoga/Meditation to attain inner peace.
Manakula Vinayagar
Temple
This temple is
more than 300 years old and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It has a golden
spire and walls portraying the forty different forms of Lord Ganesha.
Aayi Mandapam
This gleaming
white monument built during the time of Napoleon III, Emperor of France,
is the official symbol of the Puducherry Government. The monument
commemorates both the provision of water to the French city during his
reign and the good deed of a lady named Aayi, 16th century courtesan, who
destroyed her house and erected a water tank in its place. This was to
assuage a passing king who had mistaken her candle-lit house for a holy
place. This water tank served French engineers later to bring water to
the town.
Auroville/Matri Mandir
Auroville is the
city of humanity as seen by the Mother (Mirra Alfassa) in her vision. The
city is planned on some preliminary sketches by the Mother, leaving the
details to the future generations. The township is shaped like a spiral
galaxy, symbolizing life and humankind’s evolving existence. In the middle
of the town is the Matrimandir, the “Soul” of the city, symbolizing the
birth of a new consciousness where human unity and cultural collaboration
are to prevail.
French War Memorial
French War Memorial on Goubert Avenue is solemn
reminder of those brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the
country during the First World War.
Every year on the 14th July (Bastille Day) the memorial is
beautifully illuminated and homage is paid to those brave martyrs.
Churches
The church of Our Lady
of Lourdes, located at Villianur, a small
town 10 km. from Puducherry, was erected in 1876 and modeled on that of
the Basilica in Lourdes,
France.
The statue of Notre dame was donated by the French Government a year
later. The Sacred-Heart
Church in the
boulevard stands out as an oriental specimen of Gothic splendor. Other
churches include Our Lady of Angels Church, The Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
Other places of interest in Puducherry
Panchavadi Sri
Anchaneyar, a 36 feet high Hanuman statue is depicted here as
“Viswaroopam” with five faces viz., Anjaneyar, Narasimhar, Varahar,
Hayagreevar and Garudar. The Prathyangara temple, located 2 km from
JIPMER, has a 72 feet high Prathyangara Kali Devi. A Shaneeswarar statue,
27 feet tall is also located close by. Chunambar water facility is famous
for boating.
Around
Puducherry
Chidambaram, Thirunallar
Chidambaram is one
of the ancient and most celebrated shrines in India, situated about two
hours from Puducherry. Chidambaram is associated with Nataraja or Shiva
in his Ananda Thandava pose (the Cosmic dance of Bliss). The other
pilgrimage sites within a few hours journey from Puducherry are
Kancheepuram and Thiruvannamalai temples, the famous Shaneeswara temple,
Nagore Dargha and Velankanni shrine.
Shaneeswara Temple, Thirunallar
Sri
Dharbarenyeswara Devastanam, Thirunallar is one of the famous Lord Shiva
temples in India, situated 140 km. from Puducherry. Lord
Dharbarenyeswarar (Shiva) is the main deity here and Lord Saturn, Sri
Pranambigai, Sri Thiagarajar and Vinayagar are the other deities. The
Shaneeswara temple attracts devotees not only from India but
also from other countries.
