Interest Place in Pondicherry -
Aurobindo Ashram - The main building comprises the houses of Shri Aurobindo and The Mother (Mirra Alfassa, a French woman who accepted Aurobindo as her spiritual mentor and guide and later became his most important disciple). In the courtyard are the samadhis of Aurobindo and The Mother where their mortal remains have been enshrined. Visitors are allowed to visit the samadhi between 8 am and 6 pm everyday. The other places of interest in the Ashram complex are the International Education Centre, guesthouses, libraries and the cottage industries.
Beach - The 1500 metre long beach that borders the town on the eastern side is clean and is an ideal place for swimming and sun bathing. There are two monuments of historical importance on the beach. One is the 4m. tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi and the other is the War Memorial, built by the French in commemoration of the soldiers who died in the First World War. The Light House, which stands 29m. high is further down the beach and is over 150 years old.
French Institute - Situated on Dumas street, the renowned French Indologist Dr. J. Fillozet established this internationally acclaimed institute in 1995. The institute has separate sections on science, technology, ecology, cartography, pedagogy, Indian languages and culture. The Romain Rolland Library has a collection of over 60,000 books, some of which are rare French volumes. The institute conducts research in arts and sciences and is perhaps the only permanent link with France in Pondicherry.
JIPMER - This is one of the foremost medical institutions in the country. JIPMER, which is short form for the Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research, was established 20 years ago and is one of the most prestigious institutions of its kind in the country.
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