Puducherry Botanical Garden

Puducherry Botanical Garden (or Jardin Botanique) was established as an elegant French garden. In Puducherry, It is a calm and soothing retreat for you to beat the scorching heat. The gate that showcases the grandeur of French architecture takes you to a world of greenery and peace. The garden has around 1500 plant varieties, divided into 30 sections across the garden. Giant trees and fossilized plants are highlights of the Puducherry Botanical Garden. And with this mix of endangered and exotic plant species, Pondicherry’s botanical garden is a haven for nature lovers. But the garden is a one-stop destination for tourists for peace, relaxation, and pleasure. Its primary objective is to promote education and spread awareness about plant conservation. Flower shows, training workshops, and plant sales are also held here.

Attraction

Puducherry Botanical Garden A popular tourist attraction in Pondicherry, the Botanical Garden was established in 1862 by C.S. and was founded by Perrotet. The garden is home to a variety of rare plants as well as an aquarium. This wide range of flora has been collected from different parts of India and the world. The aquarium is an interesting place to visit which has a diverse collection of aquatic animals as well as fish plants. Various methods of fishing adopted in coastal areas are also displayed here. The Botanical Garden gives a unique beauty to Puducherry. It is located near the Anna statue. People come here and feel peace and at the same time, people forget their sorrows by sitting here on the bench.

History

The Botanical Garden was created in 1826 to study the performance of various plants in the climate of Pondicherry. In 1829, about 800-900 species of plants grew here. Later, in 1838, S.G. Perottet, an eminent botanist, added many new and rare species to create a living herbarium. Other botanists also introduced several new plants over time. After Puducherry became a Union Territory in 1954, the Department of Agriculture took over the maintenance of the Botanical Gardens.

Inside/Outside Views

Puducherry Botanical Garden The Botanical Garden is spread over 22 acres in the heart of the city. The garden is a popular retreat for locals and tourists alike. It is spread with trimmed trees, flower beds, and fountains. Perrote was responsible for converting the site into a botanical garden. His memorial can be seen in the garden square. He introduced many exotic plants from around the world. In 1960, after the transfer of power from the French, the garden became the center of horticultural development in Pondicherry. The botanical garden has 28 plots, and each has a different theme. Other attractions at the Botanical Garden include a children’s toy train, a musical fountain, an aquarium, and Japanese rock. In the aquarium, there is a variety of fish.

How to Reach

By Air: Chennai International Airport is the nearest airport. It is 135 km away. Chennai is well connected to many cities in India some of them are Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Pune, Hyderabad, etc. One can hire a taxi from the airport to reach Puducherry Botanical Garden.

By Rail: Villupuram, Central Railway It, 35 km. Villupuram is with Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, and Chennai by State Railway. The hospital is available from Villupuram to Puducherry. One can hire a taxi from the airport to reach Puducherry Botanical Garden.

By Road: Pondicherry is best accessible by road, bus, or taxi. Private tourist buses from Chennai, Madurai, and Bangalore ply to Pondicherry. Buses connect Pondicherry with Thanjavur, Trichy, Chidambaram, and Coimbatore. There are frequent buses from Koyambedu in Chennai about every 15 minutes. One can hire taxis from the bus stand to reach his desired place.

FAQ

Que-01: Is this place safe to visit?

Ans: Yes, this place is safe to visit.

Que-02: Is photography allowed in this place?

Ans: Yes, photography is allowed in this place.

Que-03: What is the best time to visit the place?

Ans: Winter is one of the best times to visit the Botanical Gardens. Fields are often quiet and still. Spring is the peak season for flowers, making it a popular time to visit the Botanical Gardens. Summer is another great time to visit the Botanical Gardens. Autumn is a quiet time in most botanical gardens.

Things to do at Botanical Garden Pondicherry:

Flower Garden Visit – A visit to the Botanical Garden is a wonderful outing for the whole family. The garden provides entertainment as well as education. It contains a variety of flowering plants and trees, along with their botanical information. The trees are a mix of indigenous and rare species. And a pop of colour to the space is added by flowers. All these, together, add an array of fragrances and beauty to the garden.
Enjoying the shade of colourful trees – Pondicherry Botanical Garden has a diverse collection of plants including fruit trees. They all have different periods of flowering, fruiting and leaf shedding. So, with every change of season, you are greeted with new scenery. And with different colours, heights and shapes, they provide you with a cool shade to relax all year round. You can just sit in silence, and enjoy the chirping of insects and birds.
Sitting by the Musical Fountain – Another highlight of Botanical Gardens Puducherry is the Musical Dancing Fountain. You can spend an entire evening sitting by the fountain watching the colourful splash of water. The water comes out in different shapes and patterns, dancing to the music.
Ride on a toy train – The botanical garden also has a lotus fountain and park for kids to enjoy with their friends and other kids. Various rides and slides are installed in the kid’s corner for kids to play. It also has a toy train to keep little ones entertained. And it thrills kids and delights parents. The ride takes you around the gardens giving you a great view of the place.
Attend Flower Show – An annual flower show is also held in the garden. It displays a wide variety of flowers and is popular among nature lovers and children alike. The event is so popular that many refer to it as the Flower Festival. A host of other nature-themed events and activities are also organised at the Botanical Gardens in Pondicherry.
Checking out other attractions – Other Park attractions include the Fossil Park, Conservatory and Cactus Succulent House. A small aquarium with an exclusive collection is also on the premises.