DC College of Architecture & Design

Department Of Architecture & Design

Tourism & Architecture

TOURIST DESTINATION : PONDICHERRY

Presented By:
Arsha Sahajakumar, 08
Location
• Pondicherry (or Puducherry), a French colonial settlement in India until 1954, is
now a Union Territory town bounded by the southeastern Tamil Nadu state.
• The union territory of Puducherry is a composition of four separate regions,
namely, Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Each region is isolated and
located far away from one another, Puducherry is the capital of the union territory
bearing the same name ‘Puducherry’ and is the largest city of the union territory.
• Puducherry, a growing capital city of the union territory of Puducherry is relatively
small in size when compared to other cities of India.
• Puducherry is split by a partially covered Grand Canal from north to south. The
east side of the town toward the sea is the French part and the west side of the
canal is the tamil quarter.
 Geography
• The coastal area of Puducherry region stretches to 24 kms in
length. This land is a low lying area with 15 meters average
elevation above sea level, intersected by delta canals of Gingee
and Pennaiyar Rivers and other streams.
• Two important drainage basins of the Gingee River cross
Puducherry region diagonally from northwest to southeast and the
Pennaiyar River forms the southern boundary of the region.
• River Gingee splits into two branches at Ariankuppam at 7 kms
distance from its mouth.
Introduction
• Puducherry, the former headquarters of the French colony in India is also
popularly known as ‘India's Little France’ and is often described as ‘The French
Riviera of the East’.
• The French departed more than half a century ago, but one could witness by the
magnificent colonial mansions, serene promenades, beautiful boulevards, French
spellings on sign boards, roads and buildings, etc.
• Puducherry is gifted with a fine blend of tourism attractions and has something to
offer to every tourist, be they religious tourists, leisure tourists, adventure
tourists and heritage tourists.
• The endowment of scenic attractions, pleasant climate, French heritage and
architecture, Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, road networks, transport systems,
safety and security, variety of accommodation options and above all an
indomitable local hospitality.
FRENCH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
 History
• The 17th century marked the beginning of colonial era in India. The French East
India Company set up its trading centre at Pondicherry in 1673. This outpost
eventually became the chief French settlement in India.
• Dutch and British trading companies also wanted trade with India. Wars raged
between these European countries and spilled over into the Indian subcontinent.
The Dutch captured Pondicherry in 1693 but returned it to France by the Treaty of
Ryswick in 1699. On January 16, 1761, the British captured Puducherry from the
French, but the Treaty of Paris (1763) returned the city to the French. It was taken
again by the British in 1793 amid the Wars of the French Revolution, but once
again returned to France in 1814. Later they allowed the French to retain their
settlements in the country.
• French Government, the name of the capital city continued to be Pondicherry, till it
was rechristened in the year 2006 as ‘Puducherry’ meaning new settlements
City Planning

• Pondicherry Before Dupleix • The French Planned The City In The Typical Grid Iron
Pattern
 ARCHITECTURE OF PONDICHERRY
• The architecture here is highly influenced by the culture of the place.
• An interesting fact about Pondicherry is that the city is divided into two
quarters. While one is the French sectors the other is the Tamil section
• The french sector is known as “Ville Blanche” whereas the Tamil quarter is
known as “Ville Nogar”
 ARCHITECTURE OF PONDICHERRY
• There are also some excellent structures in Pondicherry that represent the
fusion of the two dominant architectural styles of this place. These houses
belong to the Franco- Tamil category.
• In the Tamil section of the city a visitor can notice houses with 'thalvaram'
and 'thinnais'. The thalvarams are street verandas with a leaning roof which
is supported by wooden posts. Vertical columns and pillars with ornamented
parapets are characteristic features of typical Tamil style of houses. The
thinnais are public verandas with masonry seats for guests and visitors.
• The interiors of the houses in the French quarter are more embellished
than the exteriors. French architectural influences are marked by the tall
arched windows and door along the with high ceilings. The French houses
were generally built with street frontage. The window shades were generally
made of wood or light metals.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Beaches
• Promenade beach all other beaches are located a little away from the city.
In terms of accessibility and location Promenade beach is the most popular
beach among the tourists. No visitor leaves Puducherry without spending an
evening in Promenade beach. Promenade beach

• All roads which run from west to east lead to this beach. Vintage looking
benches to stretch legs, Colonial French structures, clean and spacious
granite walking trail, few restaurants, and coffee shops dot this 1.5 kilometer
stretch of the beach.
• The Serenity beach is on the north of the city and a short drive will reach
you there. This clean and virgin beach is an ideal place for recreation with
serene surroundings.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Beaches
• Paradise beach is an another important beach located on the lagoons of
Chunnambar River, about eight Kilometers away from Puducherry town
along Puducherry - Cuddalore road.
• Auro beach is another new beach that is growing and has become the
most sought after beach among tourists. It is Located about nine
Kilometres away from Puducherry town along the picturesque East Coast
Road (ECR) near Auroville. The shallow waters and moderate waves
make this beach an ideal place for relaxation and for other recreational
activities.
• Auro beach has vast space on the sea shore in contrast to other beaches
of Puducherry. It has adequate parking place for vehicles. Visitors hang
around and indulge themselves in various leisure activities in this beach.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Monuments and Heritage Buildings
• Puducherry has rich history and spells invaluable heritage. Puducherry
heritage owes to various monuments.
• Among the several heritage buildings and monuments:

 Ayai Mandappam,  Art Gallery,

 Ananda Ranga Pillai Mansion,
 The statue of Dupleix,
 Place du Governments,
 19th Century Light House,
 French War Memorial,
 Ecole Francaise d’Extreme - Orient,
 Cluny Embroidery,
 Alliance Francaise,
 INTACH Heritage Center,
 Lycee Francaise,
 State Assembly building,
 Raj Nivas,
 The Statue of Joan of Arc,
 Town Hall,
 Notre Dame des Anges Church,
 Cercle de Puducherry,
 Ananda Ranga Pillai Library,
 French Consulate,
 French Institute,
 Golconde,
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Monuments and Heritage Buildings

 Maison Colombai,
 UCO Bank,
 Calve College,
 Sushilabai School,
 Bharathi Museum,
 Villa Helena,
 Hotel de l’ Orient,
 Hotel de Pondicherry,
 Le Dupleix,
 Maison Perumal,
 Hotel du Parc,
 Reve Bleu and Villa Bayound.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Auroville
• An international city named Auroville was created in 1968. This
international township houses the world famous Matirmandir.
• The spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo, “The Mother”, wanted to
create a universal town where people from different faiths, beliefs and
ethnic backgrounds live together.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Though, Auroville Township geographically falls in the jurisdiction of
Tamilnadu, it is very close to Puducherry town just 12 Kilometers
distance that makes Auroville an integral part of Puducherry.
• The foundation for the creation of ‘Auroville Town’ was laid with the
financial, emotional and technical support by disciples from more than
100 countries
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Auroville
• The Matrimandir, a globe shaped structure is the main attraction of
Auroville.
• The center of the structure has a meditation hall. The globe is covered
with gold coated plates and the gigantic structure is indeed imposing.
• Ambiance around the Matrimandir globe is so aesthetic that many a
visitor revels at the inspiring and beautiful structure.
• It is a modern architectural marvel as high as 30 meters with lotus
shaped foundation like urn.
• The basic plan encompassed the idea of a galaxy in which many
tributaries or Lines of Force radiated out from the central region, where
today stands the Matrimandir — a place for mediation, splurge of ideas
and thoughts or as rightly stated ‘the true soul of Auroville’.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Auroville
• Four basic zones, namely the northern or the
industrial zone, north-eastern or the cultural zone,
southern or south-western or the residential zone and
western or the International zone surround the central
segment.
• Around the city is a verdant, green belt area comprising
of farms and forested regions for green work
enthusiasts.
• The most interesting thing about this plan is that nothing
is fixed, and everything is flexible and the city is still in
the process of building and transforming itself.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Sri Aurobindo Ashram
• Sri Aurobindo philosophy and discourses have influenced
scores of disciples. His memorial is located in the Ashram
where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother worked relentlessly
for creating a society free from violence and prejudice
and hence became the place of salvation.
• Both of them strove hard for spreading universal peace
and harmony through their philosophies and strived for
the refinement of human life.
• Besides, there are farms, gardens, cottages industries,
educational institutions, libraries and various other
manufacturing units managed by different wings of the
Ashram towards self reliance.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Temples, Churches and Mosques
• Puducherry is also known for its unique art and
architecture.
• Puducherry is known for peace. People of various faiths
and religious beliefs coexist and live harmoniously for
centuries.
• Temples in Puducherry are predominantly influenced by
Dravidian style of architecture. Temples dedicated to
different Hindu Gods and Goddesses are similar to the
ancient temples in Tamilnadu.
• there are 350 temples in and around Puducherry. Some
of the temples were built by the Chola Kings between
10th and 12th centuries.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Temples, Churches and Mosques
• The mosques have been 67 built in different parts of the city as per
the Islamic architecture.
• Many famous churches have also been constructed around the city
during the colonial rule of French.
• European architecture could be seen in the churches built in
Puducherry, as elsewhere in the country. The Church of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus is believed to have been constructed in 1700 by
French Missionaries.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Fairs and Festivals
• Community life and harmony in Puducherry are well pronounced by the
involvement and participation of people in the various fairs and festivals
of the region.
• These events are marked by huge public gatherings such as, Pongal
festival, Maasi Magam festival, International Yoga Festival, Fete de
Puducherry, Summer Music Festival, Puducherry Shopping festival,
Liberation Day and the Independence Day of Puducherry etc.
• The Department of Tourism organizes festivals like World Tourism Day,
National Children’s Festival, Vintage Car Rally, Kite festival, Food festival,
Adventure Festival and Vysial Street 71 Festival and much more events
are organized by Puducherry Government to promote tourism.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Museums
• Puducherry has six important museums –

 Bharathi Memorial Museum,  Jawahar Toy Museum

 Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum,  Children Museum.
 Bharathidashan Museum,  Puducherry Museum,

• These museums represent the history of Puducherry, conserved and showcased collection of rare bronze and stone
sculptures of Pallava and Chola dynasties .
• The Geology section exhibits a shell and fossil room and a collection of handicrafts, church relics, coins and French
furniture.
• The Children Museum presents the display of a good collection of snail shells.
• The Jawahar Toy Museum is a place of great delight for children with a good collection of over 120 dolls, each one
dressed in different ethnic costumes representing the cultural diversity of India
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Boulevard Town
• The heart or core area of Puducherry town, called Boulevard is known
for its unique French heritage buildings and sites.
• A stroll on any lane of the boulevard where all the roads crisscross
perpendicularly testify the vision and town planning skills of the French.
• No other town of India boasts of a boulevard of the type of Puducherry
where an aerial view presents the place in perfect geometrical lines. The
boulevard area of Puducherry geographically consists of two zones,
namely the Tamil and the French towns.
• Boulevard presents a blend of both French and Tamil architecture where
one could see the houses in a row that share architectural patterns that
repeat themselves in infinite variations
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Gardens and Parks
• The Botanical Garden, home to a wide range of plants and trees was developed in 1826 in an elaborate French style.
With pruned trees, beautiful flower beds and gravel lined paths and fountains; botanical garden is visited by
excursionists and researchers in plant sciences.
• The ambience of the entrance is reminiscent of French architecture.
• The garden has a good collection of many exotic plants from different parts of the world. It boasts of 1500 species of
plants and by all means a prominent place in the list of the best botanical gardens in South India.
• A musical fountain has been set up in the garden that enhances the value of visitor experience. A visit to the garden
and a walk on walking trail inside the garden rejuvenates one’s spirits and energy levels.
• The Annual Flower Show organized in this garden is a big draw. Seeds of various ornamental plants,
medicinal/herbal plants, 64 garden equipments, pesticides, etc., are sold in the garden retail outlet at nominal
prices.
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Gardens and Parks
• Bharathi Park, a well maintained public park is another attraction of Puducherry for nature lovers.
• The main attraction of Bharathi Park is Aayi Mandapam which is the official emblem/seal of Puducherry
Government.
• Aayi Mandapam is a pure white monument. It resembles the Greeco-Roman architecture and was built by Napolean
III, the Emperor of France.
• The monument is believed to have been erected during the 16th century
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Gardens and Parks
 TOURISM OF PONDICHERRY
• Puducherry’s Wines and Liquor
• Liquor is one of the major revenue contributors of the Union Territory of Pondicherry. The Territory’s economy
largely depends on the income accruing from taxes on alcoholic beverages.
• Under the purview of the Union/Central government, Individual taxes levied by the states are not applicable here
and hence, alcohol is comparatively cheaper. Availability of alcoholic products at lower prices draws a large number
of weekend tourists to Puducherry for fun and frolic.

• Shopping Paradise
• Puducherry is a shoppers’ paradise as it offers a large collection of souvenir articles representing different parts of
India and nations across the globe.
• It is a favorite shopping destination which enjoys relatively low tax rates. That apart, Puducherry has a few traditional
doll-making units and textiles factories.
• ‘Sunday Bazaar’ is the term used in the local parlance which denotes the setting up of a large number of makeshift
shops along the Mahatma Gandhi Road and Nehru Street every Sunday.
THANKYOU.