Puducherry Museum

Puducherry Museum, locally known as Pondi Museum, is located in Bharathi Park, Pondicherry. It displays a wide range of artworks and tells the story of the city’s rich cultural heritage. The museum is well known among history buffs and travellers visiting Pondicherry. Artefacts such as stones, jewellery, coins and statues excavated from the Arikamedu heritage site are displayed in the museum. These illustrate the importance of Pondicherry as a trading port from the 1st century BC to the 2nd century BC. It was a famous maritime centre during that period, serving the traders of the Romans, Cholas and French. Ruins from that period have been excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India at Arikamedu. Bronze statues and stone sculptures depicting the vibrant life of the Pallava, and Chola dynasties are also displayed in the museum. You can also see remnants of French colonial rule in the city. It is known for relics in the form of furniture and other church items. The Puducherry Museum gives you an opportunity to marvel at the diversity of Pondicherry’s history and understand its impact on the city’s culture.

Attraction

Pondicherry Museum is very informative about Indian history and the French colonial period of Pondicherry. Furniture, crockery, toiletries, and vehicles are all on display. Various antiques like coins, jewelry, stone, bronze, stone sculptures, etc. are displayed there. You can also see collections of weapons, guns, household items, and arrows used by ancient people. The gorgeous paintings will surely amaze you. Also, see the Gutenberg model of printing. Must visit the place.

History

Puducherry Museum Pondicherry Museum is a healthy cradle of artefacts located on St Louis Street in Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry). The exhibits in the museum give the visitors a valuable insight into the rich history of India, particularly South India as well as world history. The museum is also known as Pondy Museum or Pondicherry Museum. While the museum houses many notable artefacts, it is known for its collection of rare, exotic and impressive relics of the Pallava and Chola dynasties, whose rulers ruled between the 3rd and 10th centuries. Pondicherry Museum was established in 1983. It showcases the archaeological finds and cultural evidence of the region. The museum has a collection of over 6500 exhibits from the prehistoric era. As a centre of knowledge and exploration of the city’s history, it was promoted. The museum has a number of special displays including Chola period stone sculptures and 81 bronze statues, recovered from the archaeological site of Arikamedu. The site was a trading centre located 7 km from Puducherry and was known to have trade links with the Roman Empire in the past. One of the main attractions of the museum is the prehistoric tree trunk fossils found in the courtyard and foyer. An antique transport coach and an old palanquin are displayed in the centre of the ground floor of the museum. Another fascinating relic is the ‘Power-Pose’, an old, archaic rickshaw that requires two assistants, one for steering and the other for pushing the vehicle from behind. A perfectly preserved, fully functional and well-maintained Pousse-Pousse model can also be found on the ground floor. The Pondicherry Museum is home to a rare collection of ancient and intricate bronze lamps from almost all the dynasties that ruled India over the centuries and are dedicated to various deities. Well-preserved antiquities dating back to the Roman, Greek and Sung eras of China can also be found on display in this museum. The museum also has a geology room which displays old coins, shells, fossils, French furniture and remains of ancient churches.

Inside/Outside Views

Puducherry Museum The museum houses artifacts such as stones, jewelry, coins, and statues discovered during excavations at the Arikamedu heritage site. Dating from the first century BC to the second century AD, they illustrate the importance of Pondicherry as a trading port. Also displayed in the museum are bronze sculptures and stone carvings depicting the vibrant culture of the Pallava and Chola dynasties. Remnants of the French colonial period are also displayed in the museum. Furniture includes office tables, sofas, large mirrors, cots, treasury boxes, and jewel boxes used by the French Governor Mr. Dupleix. The museum has a huge collection of stones and ores from all over the country. Transport vehicles from the 18th and 19th centuries were also on display. Overall, it’s worth a visit.

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 Museum.

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 Museum.

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, it is safe to visit the place.

Que-02: Is photography allowed in this place?

Ans: No, Photography is not allowed inside this place.

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

Ans: It is best to visit the place in the afternoon.

Things to do at Pondicherry Museum:

Check out the largest collection of bronze statues, 81 in number.
Witness 3 ancient modes of transport – a coach, a palanquin (an early version of the rickshaw).
Learn more about the historical significance of the exhibits, as they are labeled.