Wednesday, 10 September 2014

PUDUCHERRY

Karaikal Ammayar Temple

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One day Ammaiyar's husband, Paramathathan, had sent two mangoes to be kept for him. That day a hungry Shaiva devotee came to her residence. As the luncheon was not yet ready, Ammaiyaar didn't wait for the cooking to complete. Ammaiyaar gave the devotee, curd rice and one of the two mangoes which her husband gave earlier. Later, when Ammaiyar's husband came home, Ammaiyar served him the other mango. The mango was very delicious, and her husband requested that the other mango be served. Ammaiyaar went inside kitchen, and Ammaiyar don't know what to do since the Mango is already served to the adiyaar[siva's devotee]. With Lord Siva's grace a Divine Mango appeared in her palm. Ammaiyaar was very happy and Ammaiyar served the Mango to her husband.
  • Hill Station: True
  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

Other

As this fruit was divinely sweet and was infinitely delicious compared to the previous one, her husband inquired as to how Ammaiyar obtained this mango. Since her husband was not a proper devotee, Ammaiyaar was afraid of revealing the God's grace. The rule is that God's grace should not be revealed to non-devotees. But there is one more rule that when a husband is asking something,the wife has to truthfully answer his questions. Subsequently,Ammaiyar worshiped Lord's feet and revealed the truth to her husband. Her husband didn't believe it. He asked her to produce another mango with divine help. Ammaiyar prayed to Lord Shiva for another mango and said to her Lord that if He didn't give her another Mango, his name will get affected. Immediately Lord gave her a similar mango,which she gave it to her husband. The mango then disappeared, and Paramathathan realised the divine nature of his wife. Paramathathan understood that Ammaiyar was worthy of worship and Ammaiyar cannot be treated as his wife. He then deserted Ammaiyar, becoming a trader and married the daughter of a merchant who then gave birth to their child. Paramathathan named the child with the real name of Ammaiyar. When word reached ammaiyar's family, they decided that they must take her to him. When he saw his former wife, Paramathathan addressed her reverentially, saying that he realised Ammaiyar was no ordinary human being. He worshipped Ammaiyaar with his wife and child. Ammaiyar prayed to Shiva asking for a boon - that Ammaiyar may worship Lord Shiva as a disembodied wraith. Ammaiyar received the boon, and leaving all her beauty and her body behind. Then Ammaiyar graciously sang, "Arpudha Thiruvandhaadhi" and "Thiru Irattai Mani Maalai". Ammaiyar traveled to Mount Kailas, climbing it upside down on her head. There Goddess parvathi, wife of shiva, asked about ammaiyar. Lord Shiva told, Ammaiyar is the mother who is taking care of ourselves. Ammaiyar worshiped shiva. shiva greeted her with calling her "Ammaiye"(means, 'my mother!'), and Ammaiyar replied "Appa"(father to all). Lord asked her wish to which Ammaiyar replied, "I want endless and delightful love with you. I don't want to be born again. Even if I have any birth, I should not forget you. When you perform your holy dance, I want to be beneath in your feet and I want to sing your praise in joy." The Lord granted the boon and asked Ammaiyar to come to Thiruvalangadu, where He is performing one of the holy dances (oordhuva thandava). Ammaiyar visited Thiruvalangadu, walking on her holy head. Ammaiyar sang 'Thiruaalangaatu Mootha Thirupathigam 1' and 'Thiruaalangaatu Mootha Thirupathigam 2'. Ammaiyar blissfully sings under the feet of Dancing Lord

lord saturn temple

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This is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Shani (Saneeswaran, in Tamil). Whenever (planet) Saturn transits from one zodiac sign to another (an occurrence roughly every 2.5 years), millions throng this shrine for worship. The legendary King Nala is said to have been relieved of his afflictions caused by the malefic influence of Saturn, after worship in this temple. Of the numerous theertams (sacred bathing places), the Nala theertam is the most important one. It is believed that by bathing here, one washes off all kinds of misfortunes and afflictions caused by one's past karmas (in terms of deities, Lord Shani or Saturn is said to be the dispenser of karmas (both good and bad), but also one whose Grace, particularly at this shrine, can dispel bad karmas or, at least, make them bearable)
 
  • Hill Station: True
  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

Other

Ninraseernedumaran converted to Jainism. During this time, Jainism was spreading in influence in South India. Soon, all but his queen Mangaiyarkarasi and his minister Kulacchirai Nayanar - both staunch Saivaites (worshippers of Lord Shiva) had embraced Jainism, forsaking the old religion. This caused immense agony to the queen and the minister who were anxious to reclaim both king and kingdom back into the fold of the traditional religion (Saivism).
 
To these two grief-stricken individuals came news of the camping of boy saint Thirugnana Sambandar at Vedaranyam. Having heard of the miracles performed by this young Saivite saint in Thanjavur district, they sent an urgent invitation to him to visit Madurai and extricate the king and his subjects from the clutches of Jainism.
 
The arrival of the Saivate saint irked the Jains, who are said to have then set fire to his holy dwelling. But by his yogic powers, Sambandar had the heat transferred to the king, who consequently suffered in agony. The young saint then sang the Padigam 'Mandiramavadu Neeru' and sprinkled a few grains of holy ash on the right side of the king's body to alleviate the pain. The Jains in turn chanted the Aruga Mantra (Jain Mantra) and stroked the left side of the king's person with peacock feathers, but it only aggravated the pain! In response to entreaties by the king and his ministers, Sambandar applied a few more grains of the sacred ash to the king's left side also and the poor Pandian monarch, who only a little while ago was the very picture of suffering, misery and distress, now smiled gaily and was free of his burns.
 
But the Jains challenged the Saivites further, asking that the Mantras of both religions be written on palm leaves and consigned to flames to see which one survived the ordeal of fire (thereby showing superiority over the other). The Jains first placed their palm leaf onto the fire but it was soon consumed by the flames. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar placed on the flames one leaf containing the forty-ninth Padigam of the Tevaram hymn which was sung at the shrine of Lord Darbharanyeswaran Shiva at Thirunallar. The leaf remained untouched by the flames and maintained its evergreen freshness, reestablishing Saivism as the true religion in Pandian capital. Hence the glory of the Thirunallar temple.

Karaikal Beach

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 Karaikal beach from the swimmers paradise Pondicherry is one of best and popular beach holiday destination on south Tamil Nadu coast. Able to give the portrait feeling, Karaikal beach is heavenly place for those love to get virgin feeling of out of the world enjoyment and entertainment at solitude of beach.
Magnificent sea shore glory Karaikal beach offers a lot to adventure lover and family tripper tourists with water sports like boating, canoeing, kayaking etc. and beach games like Volleyball.
 
 
  • Hill Station: False
  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

Other


Karaikal Sandy Beach is one of the famous tourist attractions which is located on the banks of Arasalar River. This tourist destination is well known for its water sports. Beautiful views of the sunrise offer some relaxing moments to travelers here.
 

Karaikal Port

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Located on the East Coast of India, MARG Karaikal Port is the new gateway to the state of Tamil Nadu in Southern India. Its combination of strategic location, state-of-the-art equipment and world-class infrastructure makes it the port of choice for industries and businesses located in and around Central Tamil Nadu and beyond. MARG Karaikal Port is located near the town of Karaikal in the Union Territory of Pondicherry and was commissioned in April 2009. Since then the Port has handled a whole range of different cargoes for top industrial houses of the country.
  • Hill Station: False
  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

Other


Capacity to handle large vessels and diverse cargo, single window clearance, E2E logistics, state-of-the-art equipment, competitive tariffs and an ideal location are hallmarks of the MARG Karaikal Port.
MARG Karaikal Port is equipped with the latest infrastructure that is being augmented in a phased manner. Navigation facilities are provided by a fully operational marine control centre to monitor vessel movement. Also, a host of allied infrastructure facilities such as the administration building, site roads, covered and open storage etc. are operational. Currently, 3 mobile harbor cranes with 35 cbm grabs are efficiently handling all types of bulk and break bulk cargo.

Theppa kulam

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 Madurai is well known for its architectural marvel – the Meenakshi Temple. At a distance of about 5 km to the east of this renowned Meenakshi temple lies the Mariammam Theppakulam. So whenever you visit the landmark of Madurai – Meenakshi temple make sure that you pay a visit to the Mariammam Theppakulam.
Mariammam Theppakulam in Madurai is a huge tank measuring about 300 m (1000 feet) by 285 m (950 feet). The source of the water of this large tank is the Vaigai River. Underground channels keep the Mariammam Theppakulam connected to this river. It was built by Thirumalai Nayakar in the year 1646. The tank was created when the earth was dug to get soil for the building of bricks. The bricks were to be used for the construction of Thirumalai Nayak palace.
 
  • Hill Station: False
  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

Other


Capacity to handle large vessels and diverse cargo, single window clearance, E2E logistics, state-of-the-art equipment, competitive tariffs and an ideal location are hallmarks of the MARG Karaikal Port.
MARG Karaikal Port is equipped with the latest infrastructure that is being augmented in a phased manner. Navigation facilities are provided by a fully operational marine control centre to monitor vessel movement. Also, a host of allied infrastructure facilities such as the administration building, site roads, covered and open storage etc. are operational. Currently, 3 mobile harbor cranes with 35 cbm grabs are efficiently handling all types of bulk and break bulk cargo.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

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 The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a well known and wealthy ashram in India, with devotees from India and all over the world flocking to it for spiritual salvation.[3] Its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science. The Ashram was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo Ghose, an Indian freedom fighter, poet, philosopher, and yogi.
Mirra Alfassa (also known as ‘The Mother’) was one of Auribindos followers, who was born in Paris and was so inspired by his philosophy that she stayed on in Pondicherry. After 24 November 1926, when Sri Aurobindo retired into seclusion, she founded his ashram (Sri Aurobindo Ashram), with a handful of disciples living around the Master. With Sri Aurobindo's full approval she became the leader of the community, a position she held until her death. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust,which she had registered after Sri Aurobindo's death in 1950 continues to look after the institution. The idea of Auroville or the "City of Dawn" was conceived by ‘The Mother’.
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  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

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It is open to the public daily between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Children below 3 years of age are not allowed into the ashram and photography is allowed only with permission of the ashram authorities. Some of the ashram’s facilities like the Library and the Main Building (during collective meditation) can be accessed, only after obtaining a gate pass from the Bureau Central or some of the Ashram Guest Houses.It is located on Rue De La Marine.

Auroville

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Auroville (City of Dawn) is an experimental township which is situated 8 km north-west of Pondicherry in East Coast Road. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Richard (also known as The Mother), the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. Auroville was designed by the French architect Roger Anger. Auroville is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity. During the inauguration ceremony of Auroville on 28 February 1968, soil from 124 countries was placed in a lotus-shaped urn and mixed to symbolize universal oneness. The Government of India and UNESCO has endorsed the project.
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  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

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Although originally intended to house 50,000, the actual population today is 2,007 (1,553 adults and 454 minors), coming from 44 nationalities, 836 of whom are of Indian origin. The community is divided up into neighborhoods with English, Sanskrit, French and Tamil names like Aspiration, Arati, La Ferme, and Isaiambalam. The residents are involved in agriculture, administration, commerce and handicrafts, alternative technology, education, healthcare and development projects, the latter including AuroRE Systems, an internatio

Mahatma Gandhi Statue

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 Located on the Promenade this statue of Mahatma Gandhi was built by sculptor Roy Choudhary. It is surrounded by eight exquisitely carved monolithic granite 17th century pillars that were brought from Gingee - a fort about 70 kms from Pondicherry - after the capture of the fort. 
The statue of Gandhi stands 13 feet high. The entire structure is at least twice that high and is one of the nicest monuments of Gandhi I have seen. It is especially striking when you see the statue and pillars from a distance.
War Memorial
The French War Memorial on Goubert Avenue is reminder of those brave soldiers who laid down their lives, for their country during the First World War. It was built in 1971. Every year on 14 July (Bastille Day) the memorial is beautifully illuminated and homage is paid to those brave martyrs.
Park Monunemt (Aayi Mandapam) in the Government Park of Pondicherry
Aayi Mandapam (Park Monunemt) is a white monument built during the time of Napoleon III, Emperor of the France. It is situated in center of Bharathi park. The monument commemorates the provision of water to the French city during his reign. It was named after a lady courtesan called Ayi. She destroyed her own house to erect a water reservoir to supply water for the city. 
  • Hill Station: False
  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

Other


Gandhi Statue is a four-meter statue of Mahatma Gandhi is surrounded by eight granite pillars, which were supposedly brought from Gingee, a fort some 70 km from Pondicherry. Located across as an integral part of Pondicherry’s colonial past. The 2.88 m tall statue of Dupleix stands at the southern end of the park. Even though Dupleix left Pondicherry in 1754, French recognition of his contribution came only in 1870, with the commissioning of two statues-one in Pondicherry and the other in France. It is situated in Goubert Avenue. Another example of the French influence in Pondicherry is a marble statue of the heroic French damsel Joan of Arc, which is located in front of the Church of Our Lady of the Angles. The statue is placed in the middle of a garden.statue was erected in 1923. It is situated at Dumas Street.

Puducherry Museum

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Pondicherry Museum has a gallery with sculptures and has the remains of archaeological findings from the Arikamedu Roman settlement. The museum also has a collection of rare bronzes and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties and artifacts excavated from Arikamedu (an ancient port just 7 km from city that had trade links with the Roman empires).
The Bharathidasan Museum, on No. 95 Perumal Koil Street, is the former house of the Pondicherry-born poet and playwright - Bharathidasan (1891–1960) (meaning "Disciple of Bharathi"). Bharathidasan's poems compare with Bharathi's in literary achievement and poetic fervour. He also wrote scripts for films on issues such as Dravidian culture and the rights of women.
Ananda Ranga Pillai was the dubash of Dupleix, the governor of Pondicherry while it flourished under the French rule. Pillai's compilation of diaries serve as a storehouse of information on the 18th century French India. His mansion, completed sometime in 1738, is one of the oldest surviving buildings on the west side - then known as "natives' quarters". Its architecture represents a fusion of French and Indian styles. This once lavishly furnished house offered glimpses into a bygone era and vanished lifestyle. However, today it has fallen upon hard times and retains very little of its former. Special permission is required to visit the mansion.
  • Hill Station: False
  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

Other


Subramanya Bharathi (1882–1921), commonly known as Bharathiyar, was a Tamil poet-patriot who arrived in Pondicherry in 1908, a fugitive from British India. The French atmosphere brought out the best in Bharathi and some of his finest patriotic and romantic compositions were born here. Bharathi's home also known as Bharathi Museum, on No. 20, Eswaran Dharamaraja Koil Street, is almost a place of pilgrimage today for the Tamil people.
 
Jawahar Toy Museum is located next to the old lighthouse on Goubert Avenue, the museum is open on all days except Monday. This rater museum has a collection of over 120 dolls, each one dressed in costumes from different Indian states. Also on display is a little "fairyland" with a tiny Ganesha watching over all the proceedings.
 
Children’s Museum is located next to the Botanical Gardens, it has collections of snail shells from the Pondicherry region

Puducherry Museum

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About


Pondicherry Museum has a gallery with sculptures and has the remains of archaeological findings from the Arikamedu Roman settlement. The museum also has a collection of rare bronzes and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties and artifacts excavated from Arikamedu (an ancient port just 7 km from city that had trade links with the Roman empires).
The Bharathidasan Museum, on No. 95 Perumal Koil Street, is the former house of the Pondicherry-born poet and playwright - Bharathidasan (1891–1960) (meaning "Disciple of Bharathi"). Bharathidasan's poems compare with Bharathi's in literary achievement and poetic fervour. He also wrote scripts for films on issues such as Dravidian culture and the rights of women.
Ananda Ranga Pillai was the dubash of Dupleix, the governor of Pondicherry while it flourished under the French rule. Pillai's compilation of diaries serve as a storehouse of information on the 18th century French India. His mansion, completed sometime in 1738, is one of the oldest surviving buildings on the west side - then known as "natives' quarters". Its architecture represents a fusion of French and Indian styles. This once lavishly furnished house offered glimpses into a bygone era and vanished lifestyle. However, today it has fallen upon hard times and retains very little of its former. Special permission is required to visit the mansion.
  • Hill Station: False
  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

Other


Subramanya Bharathi (1882–1921), commonly known as Bharathiyar, was a Tamil poet-patriot who arrived in Pondicherry in 1908, a fugitive from British India. The French atmosphere brought out the best in Bharathi and some of his finest patriotic and romantic compositions were born here. Bharathi's home also known as Bharathi Museum, on No. 20, Eswaran Dharamaraja Koil Street, is almost a place of pilgrimage today for the Tamil people.
 
Jawahar Toy Museum is located next to the old lighthouse on Goubert Avenue, the museum is open on all days except Monday. This rater museum has a collection of over 120 dolls, each one dressed in costumes from different Indian states. Also on display is a little "fairyland" with a tiny Ganesha watching over all the proceedings.
 
Children’s Museum is located next to the Botanical Gardens, it has collections of snail shells from the Pondicherry region

Botanical Garden1

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The Botanical Garden is located south of the New Bus Stand. The gate leading to the garden is reminiscent of French architecture and it stands out from its immediate surroundings because it is in the middle of the old Tamil town. The Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1826 in the ornate French style, with pruned trees, flower beds and gravel lined paths and fountains. Perrottet was largely responsible for transforming the place into a botanical garden in 1831. The French introduced many exotic plants from all over the world. The gardens also have a musical fountain which is active over the weekends, with two shows in the evening.
  • Hill Station: False
  • Religus: True
  • Honeymoon: False
  • SeeBeach: False

Other


Pondicherry is well known for its various tourist hotspots, which attracts tourists all the year round to this destination. Apart from Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram,various museums and beaches what is an important tourist place in Pondicherry is the Botanical Garden.
 
The Botanical Gardens situated in the center of the city provides a cool retreat from the oppressing heat and humidity of Pondicherry. It sprawls over a 22 acres area and here you can just relax and listen to the twittering of birds and explore the rich variety of flora here.
 
The Botanical Gardens is 178 years old and here you will find each and every tree or plant labeled with scientific, common and Tamil names. This has been possible due to the efforts of Department of Tourism.

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