Post No. 15,509
Date uploaded in London – 18 March 2026
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
Puducherry, also called Pondicherry, was ruled by French until 1954. The French de facto left Pondicherry on November 1, 1954, transferring control to India, with the formal de jure transfer occurring on August 16, 1962. The colony officially merged with India on July 1, 1963, ending nearly 300 years of French presence. Still we can see street names in French. Many of the residents have voting rights in France. Puducherry people cast votes in French elections.
There are many attractions in Puducherry: a few museums, Bharatiyar park, Manakkulam Vinayakar Temple Aravinda/ Aurobindo Ashram
Though I have visited the famous Ganesh temple a few times, this time, during my visit to the city on 13-3-2026, I have included all the three places. From Kumbakonam we rushed to Aravinda Ashram, knowing it would close at 11-30 am for lunch break. I entered the Ashram at 11-15 and went round the Samadhis of Sri Aravindar and Annai/Mother. One could feel the holy vibrations in the serene atmosphere. A lot of living flowering plants and a lot of flower garlands in the Samadhis are visible. But no one could stand there. Volunteers ask everyone to move forward. But you could do many rounds if here is not a long queue. Visitors touch the samadhis with both hands or their forehead to show their reverence. I spent 15 minutes there. No photography is allowed. The sentry at the entrance asks everyone to switch of their mobile phones et. Again, it opened at 2 pm and meditation is allowed.
The Ashram is located in the eastern part of Pondicherry, along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Chennai. The main Ashram building, where the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother is located, is open to all during visiting hours: 8.00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2.00 to 6.00 p.m. At other times, you need to have a pass in order to enter. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram Publication Department publishes the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and works by disciples on their life and teachings, in over 15 languages.
The Publication Department’s distribution unit is SABDA. It has two retail outlets, Service branch inside the Sri Aurobindo Ashram main building, and Kripa branch diagonally opposite it. The head office of the Publication Department and SABDA is at 17, Rue de la Marine (next to our Kripa branch).
I did not buy any book, because my father has left us his important works.
Aurobindo (Aravinda) was a poet, freedom fighter and a philosopher. He interpreted the Vedas in a different way, instead of translating them verbatim. His Vedic glossary give new meanings to important words.
Who is Aravindar?
Sri Aurobindo (Aurobindo Ghose, 1872–1950)
Early Life & Education: Born in Calcutta, Aurobindo Ghose was educated in England (Manchester and Cambridge) from age seven, becoming proficient in Western classics and languages before returning to India in 1893.
Nationalist Fighter (1893–1910): He was a key figure in the early Indian independence movement, advocating for complete independence (Purna Swaraj) rather than colonial self-government. He was jailed in 1908 in connection with the Alipore Bomb Case.
Spiritual Transformation & Ashram (1910–1950): Following intense spiritual experiences in Alipore jail, he withdrew from politics and moved to Pondicherry to focus on spiritual practice.
Integral Yoga & Philosophy: He taught that life is a divine manifestation and that humanity can evolve beyond the mind into a “Supermind,” uniting spiritual life with worldly activity.
Works: He was a prolific writer, with major works including The Life Divine (philosophy), The Synthesis of Yoga, and the epic poem Savitri.
The Mother: He was assisted in his spiritual work by Mirra Alfassa, known as “The Mother,” who took over the management of the Ashram after his passing in 1950.
Auroville: He is the inspiration behind the experimental township of Auroville, intended to be a city of human unity.
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MANAKKULAM VINAYAKAR TEMPLE
It is a vibrant temple with lot of devotees visiting it every minute. Big temple with lot of Ganesh shrines inside. Walls are decorated with different forms of Ganapati/Vinayakar detailing the puranic stories. Entry is free and Thayir Sadham (Curd bath) Prasad is distributed. One can finish Darshan (Viewing ) in half hour or so. It is just opposite Aurobindo Ashram. Both the places are dotted with lot of street vendors selling different things for tourists.
Bharatiyar worshipped in the temple during his stay in Puducherry. His poem on this Ganesh made him popular in Tamil Nadu. I visited the temple on 13-3-2026, for the third time.
Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple was in existence before the French came and settled in Pondicherry i.e. before 1666. In Tamil ‘Manal’ means sand and ‘Kulam’ means pond near the sea, So the people called the god as Manal Kulathu Vinayagar means God near the pond of sand]. .The Jesuits and missionaries tried to demolish Manakula Vinayagar, but they could not demolish the temple. During 1700 French prohibited performing poojas and festivals particularly on Fridays in the temple. All the Hindus who were worshipping Lord Vinayaga objected and migrated to English Territory. Everything changed in course of time.
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Disappointing Museum
After visiting Ashram and Temple, I visited Puducherry museum and bought Rs 10 ticket, probably the cheapest museum ticket in the whole wide world. All worn out statues are placed outside, but photography was not allowed inside.
Three things I would like to point out:
1. The Museum has beautiful bronze, numbering over 80. But you cant take pictures and no book is available with the pictures. No picture post cards are sold. Very disappointing. All over the world museums do roaring business by selling books and picture cards and mementos. I bought picture cards even in Colombo Museum. When I asked at the reception, they told me no book was published about the artifacts in the museum.
2. They must learn from other parts of the world. Ten rupees entry fee is dead cheap, ridiculously cheap; they must raise the fee and allow photography.
3. One can finish the viewing in 30 minutes. It must be placed in a larger building with more information.
Following is the summary from museum website
The Puducherry Museum presents glimpses of geological, archaeological and historical periods and seeks to highlight the many facets of its arts and crafts which have now become part of Puducherry’s rich heritage.
The following galleries/sections are set up in the museum.
The French India Gallery (One)
An issue of ‘Vijaya’ the first daily edited by Poet Subramania Bharathi is also on display there.
The Archaeology Section
The Bronze Gallery
This is the most attractive gallery.
Exquisite pieces of divine images, mostly found as treasure troves adorn the bronze gallery. The panchaloga images of the Dancing Siva (Nataraja) umamaheswara, thiripurantaka/thiripurasundari in the graceful tribhanga posture from Sorakkudi. There are specimens of bronzes of the Vijayanagar and Nayaka periods.
Display of Vehiccles (Southern Courtyard)
Sculptures (Courtyard- North and South)
A few specimen of Pallava and Chola sculptures were displayed in and around the ‘Place de Government’ since the French days.
French India Gallery (Two) Comprising
a) The Drawing Chamber/Salon (Central Hall)
b) The Dinning Chamber/Salle d’ Manger
c) The Bed Chamber/ Chambre a coucher
The Arms Gallery
Gallery of Art and Crafts (Western Wing)
Displayed in two adjacent halls respectively are a variety of hand made items and artifacts crafted by artisans in France and Puducherry.
The Geological Section (Southern Colonnade)
Puducherry Museum Visiting Hours
Opened For Public From Tuesday To Sunday
Timing: 10.00 AM To 5.00 PM(Without Lunch Break)
Monday is Weekly Holiday
Following sites show the pictures of some specimens. But the pictures are not of good quality.
· Puducherry Museum Bronze statue collection
· Puducherry Museum Furniture inventory
· Puducherry Museum Stone Sculpture Collection
· Puducherry Museum Painting
· Puducherry Museum Photo and Map Collection
· Puducherry Museum Textile inventory
That is why I ask them to allow the visitors to take pictures. They must raise the entry fee for public; concessions may be given to students. The museum needs a large venue for a better display.
–subham-
Tags: My visit, Puducherry, Museum, Manakulathu Vinayakar temple, Aurobindo Ashram, three birds, one stone
Tamil and Vedas 
