Pondicherry is full history due to its French colonial history. The museums are a wholesome cradle of artefacts. zPondi boasts of a unique blend of culture and heritage retaining colonial buildings, statues, and museums. Among the top places to visit in Pondicherry are a series of museums that throw light on life from the bygone eras. There are abundant museums here that display ancient artifacts excavated from the archaeological site of Arikamedu.
Along with the mementos from the yesteryears, these museums are a house to the culture and traditions that prevailed during the reign of Pallava & Chola dynasties, colonial years and the times of trade during the pre-Christian age. The tourist can visit the famous Pondicherry Museum, Bharathiyar Museum, Bharathidasan Museum, Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum, and Jawahar Toy Museum. Tourist can complete the tour of these museums on a 3 day visit. On the 1st day tourist can visit Puducherry Museum or Pondy Museum, displays a plethora or artifacts reclaimed from Arikamedu. It contains rare bronze and stone statues of the Pallava & Chola dynasties.
Fossilized trunks of old trees that once existed in this place have also been preserved. The Pondicherry museum lets you see history of three different eras. The first one is Greek & Roman trade from Arikamedu, second one is from Pallava & Chola dynasties through statues and stone sculptures, arms, burial urns, and glass beads. The third one would be the era of French colonialism in the region through the church leftovers and French furniture. Next tourist can visit Bharathiyar Museum, that derives its name from poet-patriot Subramanya Bharathi.
This Tamil poet arrived in Pondicherry as a fugitive from British India in 1908. derives its name from the poet-patriot of the yesteryears named Subramanya Bharathi. The French artistic vibes brought out the best in Bharathi and most of his finest compositions in terms of poems and plays were created here. On 2nd day the tourist can visit Bharathidasan Memorial Museum cum Research Center was once home of great poet-playwright Kanaka Subburatnam. This house preserves his best literary work as an inspiration to people.
The museum has preserved the diaries of Pillai that have stored crucial information on French India. These diaries translated in the early 20th century bring alive the Anglo-French Carnatic wars and the overall life in this region in the 18th century. Later tourist can visit Jawahar Toy Museum. that is full of tops 140 variety of dolls and toys. Also worth seeing is the old light house built just behind the museum but its interior is out of bounds for tourist. On 3rd day tourist can visit Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum named after the language interpreter for governor of Pondicherry, Dupleix. During his time, the French rule flourished in the region.
This museum was initially built as his residence sometime around 1738 ACE. This mansion was a unique blend of French & Indian styles of architecture and is till date one of the longest standing buildings on the west side of the town, which was then known as the natives’ quarters. These museums are full of artifacts that let people understand the history of bygone era. Tourist can relax at their accommodation for the rest ogf the day to complete their 3-day tour.
