The Pondicherry Museum is a wholesome cradle of artefacts that is located on St. Louis Street in Puducherry (erstwhile Pondicherry). The displays in the museum give visitors valuable insight into the rich history of India, especially South India, as well as world history. The museum is also known as the Pondy Museum or the Pondicherry Museum. While there are many notable artefacts housed in the museum, it is known for its collection of rare, exotic and fascinating relics from the Pallava and Chola Dynasty whose rulers reigned during the 3rd to 10th centuries.
This museum has a number of exclusive displays consisting of stone sculptures and 81 bronze statues from the Chola periods, which has been obtained from the archaeological site of Arikamedu. This site used to be a trading centre located 7 km away from Puducherry and was known to have trade connections with the Roman Empire in the past. One of the main attractions of the museum is the fossilised remains of a prehistoric tree trunk that can be found in the courtyard and the foyer.
An ancient transport coach and an old palanquin are displayed in the centre of the ground floor of the museum. Another fascinating relic is the ‘pousse-pousse,’ an old, archetypal rickshaw which required two assistants, one for steering and the other for pushing the vehicle from behind. A perfectly preserved, fully functional and well-maintained model of the pousse-pousse can also be found on the ground floor.
The Pondicherry Museum is home to a rare collection of old and intricate bronze lamps and statues dedicated to different gods and goddesses, collected from almost all the dynasties that have ruled India through the centuries. Well preserved relics dating back to the ancient times of the Romans, Greeks and the Tsung Period of China, can also be found displayed in this Museum. The museum also has a Geology room which displays old coins, shells, fossils, French furniture and remains from ancient churches as well.
The Pondicherry Museum is a wholesome cradle of artefacts that is located on St. Louis Street in Puducherry (erstwhile Pondicherry). The displays in the museum give visitors valuable insight into the rich history of India, especially South India, as well as world history. The museum is also known as the Pondy Museum or the Pondicherry Museum. While there are many notable artefacts housed in the museum, it is known for its collection of rare, exotic and fascinating relics from the Pallava and Chola Dynasty whose rulers reigned during the 3rd to 10th centuries.
This museum has a number of exclusive displays consisting of stone sculptures and 81 bronze statues from the Chola periods, which has been obtained from the archaeological site of Arikamedu. This site used to be a trading centre located 7 km away from Puducherry and was known to have trade connections with the Roman Empire in the past. One of the main attractions of the museum is the fossilised remains of a prehistoric tree trunk that can be found in the courtyard and the foyer.
An ancient transport coach and an old palanquin are displayed in the centre of the ground floor of the museum. Another fascinating relic is the ‘pousse-pousse,’ an old, archetypal rickshaw which required two assistants, one for steering and the other for pushing the vehicle from behind. A perfectly preserved, fully functional and well-maintained model of the pousse-pousse can also be found on the ground floor.The Pondicherry Museum is home to a rare collection of old and intricate bronze lamps and statues dedicated to different gods and goddesses, collected from almost all the dynasties that have ruled India through the centuries. Well preserved relics dating back to the ancient times of the Romans, Greeks and the Tsung Period of China, can also be found displayed in this Museum. The museum also has a Geology room which displays old coins, shells, fossils, French furniture and remains from ancient churches as well.
How To Reach
It is a relatively easy commute between Pondicherry bus stand to the Pondicherry Museum. One has to travel a distance of 2.7 kilometres if travelling via Bussy Street, which will take you approximately 10 minutes to reach the museum. You can hire a taxi or even a two-wheeler for a comfortable commute.
If you are taking the public bus that goes via JN Street, you need to travel a distance of 2.8 kilometres, which will take approximately 11 minutes to reach the museum.
Best Time To Visit
The city of Pondicherry is an ideal vacation spot. One can visit this place during any time of the year because of its year-round pleasant coastal weather.
However, comparatively, the summers are hotter and temperatures can soar to 40 degrees Celsius. A visit to an old, historical place like the museum might feel uncomfortable during this season.
The city looks romantic during the monsoon season as well, but the ideal time to visit this place is between the months of October to March.
The temperature during winter remains between 15-30 degrees Celsius, which is pleasant and ideal for exploring the place in depth. The city also holds many festivals throughout the year. But the main festivals are celebrated during the months of October to January, making wintertime the most lucrative time visit Pondicherry and its museum.
Other Essential Information
Location: Eswaran Kovil Street, Canteen St, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday (9:00 am – 6:30 pm). Closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Entry fee: The entry fee for the children is INR 5 per child. The fees for the Indian Nationals is Rs. INR 10 and for the foreign nationals are INR 50 per person.
Visitor's Facility: Every visitor is accompanied by expert guides and tour managers in the city as well as inside the museum. The museum itself is equipped with clean washrooms, an extensive security system as well as cameras. There are food stalls from where one can purchase snacks. You can also avail locker and storage facilities at the museum.
Parking Facility: You can park your car in a separate parking area on the museum premises.
Distance from Pondicherry bus stand: Visitors have to travel a distance of 3 km from the Pondicherry bus stand to reach the Pondicherry Museum.
History of Pondicherry Museum
This archaeological site has been found to be an important trading post that used to conduct trade with the Romans, the Greeks and the Tsung dynasty from the Chinese civilization. This museum holds the record of having the highest number of bronze sculptures from the Chola Dynasty. A total of 81 bronze sculptures from the Chola period are displayed here. Pondicherry Museum is famous for its ‘lost wax’ bronze sculptures.
This is a process by which a duplicate metal artefact is made from the original piece. Some of the oldest relics displayed at the museum date back to as far as the 1st and 2nd century. It is a hub of various interesting historical artefacts like the fossils, the coins, French furniture, old handicrafts, relics of ancient churches and even old French colonial details.
Archaeological, Historical and Scientific Importance of Pondicherry Museum
The city of Pondicherry has a rich and varied archaeological and historical heritage, which is adequately represented in the Pondicherry Museum. The Indo-Roman archaeological site of Arikamedu lies 7 km away from the main city. Sir Mortimer Wheeler excavated the site between 1947 and 1950 and found remnants of India’s trade with ancient Rome.
Relics from this significant excavation are displayed in the Museum. The Museum, despite being housed in an erstwhile house of law that is a hundred years old itself, houses relics and artefacts that date back to the 1st century AD. There is also a pre-historical, fossilized tree-trunks which is bound to fascinate visitors.
There are also many relics from when Pondicherry used to be a French colony, from before the reign of the British East India Company. While the entire town of Pondicherry reflects French sensibilities in its culture, architecture and environment, the Pondicherry Museum has preserved photos, relics, books and interesting facts about that period.
There are also many old gadgets and vehicles that have been discovered and assembled in their working state inside the museum, which would thrill anyone interested in science and engineering.
Places to Stay Near Pondicherry Museum
Pondicherry, being a popular tourist destination for people traveling from all over the world, has many places to stay, careering to all kinds of budgets. Here are a few examples:
1. Le Dupleix -Le Dupleix is a four-star hotel located on the Rue Dela Caserne Street, only 0.4 km from the Pondicherry Museum. It is a plush hotel with a flair of edgy, contemporary style mixed with traditional, colonial style. There are 14 spacious and luxurious rooms for a comfortable stay. You can also enjoy an in-house fine dining experience from their restaurant.
2. The Promenade The Promenade is located on Goubert Avenue, 0.2 km away from the Pondicherry Museum. It is a four-star hotel with excellent fine dining options and stylish rooms overlooking the waters of the Bay of Bengal. The hotel also provides all the modern facilities you need, from LCD TVs to free Wi-Fi, to visitors.
3. Le Chateau - Le Chateau is located on the Rue Romain Rolland Street, 0.6 km from the Pondicherry Museum. It is a four-star hotel that provides world-class cuisine to guests and a wide range of wines and beverages. You can choose from modest rooms to luxury suites when you chose to put up at this hotel.
4. Villa Du Ocean - Villa Du Ocean is located on Romain Rolland Street, 0.5 km away from the Pondicherry Museum. It is a four-star hotel where all the rooms are exquisitely decorated and fitted with essential facilities like ACs, flat-screen TVs and minibars. The place is known for its incredible food and cocktails menu in their restaurant.
Places to Eat Near Pondicherry Museum
1. The Bull Restaurant - The Bull Restaurant is a tastefully decorated casual-dining restaurant which gives you a wonderful view of the ocean as you savour your meal. They serve up an impressive range of North Indian, South Indian, Asian and Continental dishes. It is popularly believed that the best fried-rice in Pondicherry can be found in The Bull.
2. Villa Shanti- Villa Shanti does complete justice to its name, offering visitors one of the most peaceful and satisfying eating experiences in Pondicherry. The café is situated in an open-air patio surrounded by lounge chairs and trees, where you can enjoy salads, cocktails, juices, sandwiches and much more while reading your book or listen to some soothing live music.
3. Bay of Budhha - Offering possibly one of the most luxurious dining experiences in Pondicherry, the Bay of Buddha is a place you must go to if you want to sample the seafood in the town. The restaurant serves up incredible dishes from Japanese, Malaysian, Asian, Koran, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisines. Enjoy some of the best sushi in town with a panoramic, roof-top view of the beaches of Pondicherry.
4.Lighthouse - If you are looking for something a little more low-key and casual, then you can also check out the Lighthouse. It serves up a delicious range of North Indian and Continental dishes and is the perfect place to dine out with your family and friends without burning a hole in your pocket.
Tips Before Visiting Pondicherry Museum
2. A lot of walking is likely to be involved so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and light, cotton clothes.
3. Do carry your essentials like sunglasses, your camera and sunscreen.
4. A small kit of necessary medical supplies is always advisable.
5. A general study of the artefacts and archaeological sites from beforehand might make your trip even more exciting.
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