Puducherry Museum, also called Pondy Museum, exhibits a range of artifacts and tells the story of Pondicherry’s rich cultural heritage. It houses masterpieces dating back to the Pallava and Chola Dynasties. Burial urns, French furniture, terracotta figures, crockery, guns, swords, spears, paintings, mirrors, and several other things dating back to different eras can be found here. Glass paintings and contemporary and colonial prints are exhibited in this museum. This government-owned museum has a broader category of artifacts other than antiques. The museum is a repository of art, culture, heritage, and history.
Pondicherry Museum Timings and Entry Fee
Pondicherry Museum is open all days (except Mondays and public holidays) from 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM daily. Adults are charged INR 10, children – INR 5, and foreigners – INR 50.
Architecture of Pondicherry Museum
The museum has colonial architecture with a stunning facade and inscriptions in French. It is a two-storeyed building painted in yellow and peach and has large stone statues and fossilized tree trunks displayed in the foyer and courtyard.
History of Pondicherry Museum
Constructed in 1983, Pondicherry Museum houses archeological findings and cultural evidence of the region. The museum houses a collection of more than 6500 exhibits dating back to the prehistoric era. Also, Pondicherry Museum was promoted as the hub of knowledge and exploration of the city’s rich history.
The exhibits are Pondicherry Museum are classified into three eras –
- The early period from the 1st century to the 4th century
- The rule of the Pallavas and Cholas
- The European era during which it was under French colonial rule.
Artifacts in Pondicherry Museum
At Pondy Museum, artifacts like statues, coins, stones, and jewelry excavated from the Arikamedu heritage site can be seen. All these tell that Pondicherry was a trade port from the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD. It was also a popular maritime center during that time, serving traders from around the world like Rome, the Cholas, and the French. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavated the remnants from that period at Arikamedu.
Apart from these, Pondicherry Museum has bronze statues and stone sculptures. They depict the life of the Chola and the Pallava dynasty. So, Pondicherry Museum gives you the chance to marvel at the city’s diversity and know more about the history left behind by rulers.
Things to do at Pondicherry Museum
- See the largest collection of bronze statues, 81 in number.
- Witness 3 ancient means of transport – a coach, a palanquin, and a Pousse-Pousse (the initial version of a rickshaw).
- Learn more about the historical importance of exhibits, they are labeled.
Facts about Pondicherry Museum
- The museum has ancient and prehistoric artifacts of the region, including the statues of gods and goddesses.
- Witness the variety of exhibits from the pre-Christian era like expensive stone, the Tsung era like glass beads, and the European era like coins or handicrafts.
- Marvel at the massive collection of bronze statues from the Chola period and other ceremonial lamps and urns.
- Visit the geology room that displays shells and fossils found in the region.
Tips for visiting Pondicherry Museum
- DO NOT touch any exhibits.
- Park your vehicle at the parking facility.
- Opt for guides with security cameras for surveillance.
- Check visiting hours as it remains closed on Mondays and national holidays.
- Locker and luggage storage facilities are provided at the museum.
To fully enjoy all the tourist attractions of Pondicherry, it’s important to know the best season to visit and how to get there comfortably. We have a comprehensive travel guide for Pondicherry, where you can read all travel-related information about this French colony.
