3) Pondicherry Lighthouse:
Interestingly, Pondicherry has 2 lighthouses, a new one and an old one. The old one is currently not open to the public, but the new one, serves the purpose for all those who come here to witness a panoramic view of the town from the top. The Old Lighthouse was shut down in 1979 as it went out of order. The rulers of Pondicherry then realised that the those travelling from Sea to the city need the light house for navigation, and therefore they built the new lighthouse. While the old lighthouse is around 95 feet high, the new lighthouse is 157ft high.
The Old Lighthouse has now been turned into a museum. It is touted as one of the top tourist sites in Pondicherry. The space in front of the Lighthouse is used for various commercial, musical and cultural activities. The entry fee for the Old Lighthouse is Rs. 10. You need to pay a fee of Rs 10 to enter the New Lighthouse as well. Once you’re upstairs, you get a whole 360 degree view of the entire city of Pondi. It takes 200 steps to reach the top, but once you do, you get to have a bird’s eye view of the entire city and the beaches as well.
Timing: Old Lighthouse – 8:00 am – 12:30 pm | 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
New Lighthouse: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
4) Bharathi Park:
If you want to understand the way the French took care of nature, Bharathi Park is the best place to visit in Puducherry. Situated right in heart of the city, the Park is filled with lush greenery and scenic flowers and trees. At the centre, it has the Aayi Mandapam or Park Monument which is dedicated to Aayi, a famous lady courtesan. The architecture of the park consists of modern monuments, old sculptures, statues, stone carvings and magnificent buildings. The area is also covered with exquisite fountains, with pathways for a long and pleasant stroll.
The monument celebrates the gift of water to the French city. It is named after Aayi, a lady courtesan who had demolished her own house to build a water reservoir for the city. The Park was used as a parade field for the French Precinct until the 1940s.The Government of Puducherry turned the area into a park in the 1950s. The Bharathi Park is named after the great Tamil Nadu poet Bharathidasan. Bharati Park is the best place to visit with family for a picnic. After a busy day of sightseeing, you can visit the Park for sitting and relaxing for a while. Additionally, entry to this park is absolutely free.
Timing: 6:00am – 8:00 pm
