Arikamedu Puducherry Entry Fee
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Arikamedu Puducherry Address: Ariyankuppam, Puducherry, 605007, India
From the silence of the early morning shoreline to the beauty of the remains of an era gone by, Puducherry boasts of quaint sites and a gorgeous skyline. But, amongst all the beautiful architectural delights, colorful lanes, and small cafes, Puducherry presents yet another archaeological site that holds essential significance between India and the rest of the world—Arikamedu.
#Trivia: The original name of Puducherry was ‘Putucceri’—meaning new village. The French renamed it Pondicherry. Today it has come back to its original name.
All about Arikamedu
A historical site and a place for all history-buffs located on the outskirts of Puducherry, Arikamedu is a bridge between Roman and Indian architecture. An archaeological site maintained by the Archaeological Society of India, it is surrounded by moss-laden walls and brick structures that stand testament to the entirety of Rome and Greece in a couple of square meters.
Arikamedu was accidentally discovered during an archaeological excavation in around 1945. Sir Mortimer Wheeler and Jean-Marie Casal conducted the excavation.
#Trivia: Arikamedu served as a major trading port between European countries and Rome during the 2nd century BCE to 8th century BCE.
As you enter the site, you will come across ancient columns, walls, and mortars standing tall along the Ariyankuppam river with dilapidated French Jesuit Mission buildings dating back to the 18th century. Interestingly, Arikamedu had an urban settlement between 1000 BC to 100 AD.
Some of the most interesting archaeological finds from Arikamedu include amphorae (ancient Roman/Greek jar), glassware, gold, gems, stone beads, coins, lamps, and much more. These artifacts are priceless and will be soon displayed in a museum set to be built on the same site.
Besides these antiques, Arikamedu also produces locally-made products such as cotton fabric, muslin, gold beads, jute textiles, and pottery.
Location of Arikamedu
Arikamedu is located along the Ariyankuppam river, in Kakkayanthope, approximately 4 to 5 kms away from Puducherry.
#Trivia: It is the earliest known bead-making Indo-Pacific site globally.
Image Gallery of Arikamedu Puducherry
Attractions near Arikamedu
When you visit the last remaining ruins of Arikamedu, you will come across a few things that will catch your eye. A few tourist places of Puducherry that will make you stop and enjoy it for a while are:
Promenade: One of the most famous beaches of Puducherry, Promenade is a rocky stretch of beach overlooking the expansive Bay of Bengal. The sandy coastline dotted across the length and breadth of the beach offer respite from a long day of sightseeing and visiting places. It harbors the famous remnants of an old jetty, a lighthouse, a Joan of Arc statue, and an intricate effigy of Mahatma Gandhi.
A fantastic place to view the sunrise and sunset in all its glory!
Goubert Market: If you love to shop a little while holidaying, the Goubert market is the place for you. A seamless buzz of tourists and locals flock to the market throughout the day to buy everything from handicrafts to fish, apparel to jewelry, and much more. A quaint shopping experience awaits you!
Aurobindo Ashram: Yet another feather in Puducherry’s hat, Aurobindo ashram has stood the test of time and emotion for a while now. Set up by Aurobindo Ghosh in the 1920s, it is home to almost 2000+ residents and visiting tourists who come here to get respite from the bustle of the city. It still holds the mortal remains of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother in a white marble shrine.
Entry Fee and Timings of Arikamedu Puducherry
There is no entry fee to visit Arikamedu. You can visit it from 10 am to 4 pm on all days of the week.
Best time to visit Arikamedu Puducherry
We know that Puducherry is a coastal Union Territory and thus experiences heavy monsoon from June to September. But, on the other hand, summers are hot and humid from March to June. Therefore, the best time to visit Arikamedu is from October to February, when you can experience pleasant evenings and breath-taking mornings surrounded by fresh and cool air all around.
How to reach Arikamedu Puducherry
Puducherry is well-connected by all means of transport. You can travel by-
Air: The Puducherry airport supports all major flights from tier 1 and tier 2 cities. Arikamedu is approximately 10 kms from the Puducherry airport in Lawspet and will take around 30 mins to reach.
Rail: The Puducherry railway station is around 30 minutes from Arikamedu and has regular taxis and buses plying. It is located in Colas Nagar, south boulevard.
Road: You can easily reach Arikamedu via NH45A, now known as NH-332, which goes through Puducherry and is well-connected by all major cities of India. It passes through Cuddalore, Sirkazhi, Karaikal, Nagore, and Chidambaram. You can also hire a cab from top car rental companies in Pondicherry for your trip.
#Trivia: Arikamedu is a popular pre-wedding spot for a photoshoot too!
The quaint by-lanes of Puducherry have a thousand stories to tell, but you will resonate with the one you wish to see. Arikamedu reflects the beauty of an era from shopping markets to historical sites but still stands strong amongst locals and tourists. A quick one-hour stop at the ruins will transcend you to a place you would love with your dear ones. So pack a light bag and enjoy the solace at Arikamedu today! Book a Pondicherry Tour package with us to explore the union territory in the best possible way. At Pondicherry Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, we offer all-inclusive tour packages for you to have a great time with your loved ones. Please fill the Contact Us form to get in touch with us.
