Raj Nivas Puducherry Entry Fee
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Raj Nivas Puducherry Phone
0413 233 4050
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Based on total 33 reviews
Raj Nivas Puducherry Address: Ranga Pillai St, White Town, Puducherry, 605001, India
A quaint colonial structure that has stood the test of time, Raj Nivas Puducherry is the place of work and residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. A quintessential feather on this union territories' hat, Raj Nivas speaks of an era gone by and a period standing strong today. It is one of the top tourist attractions of Puducherry.
#Trivia: It was formerly known as Le Palais Du Governor and was once the official residence of the French Governors in the 18th century.
All about Raj Nivas
The foundation stone of this stunning structure was laid in 1738, nearly 200 years ago, under the then French Governor of Pondicherry, Pierre Benoît Dumas. Raj Nivas was finally completed at the arrival of Joseph François Dupleix, the Governor-General of French India.
A beautiful white building stands tall with monolithic pillars specially brought from the Gingee Fort in 1751 with bespoke landscapes and gorgeous streets surrounding it. Rue Jawaharlal Nehru surrounds the building on the north to Rue Saint Louis on the east, Rue Rangapoulle on the south, and the Rue Francois Martin on the west.
It is a single structure spread from west to east with stunning entrances on either side, further flanked by rectangular wings on the west and east. Another layer of floors was added later, making it the two-storeyed building it is today.
Raj Niwas has an exquisite collection of artefacts that include pottery, a grand piano, vases, antique furniture, coins, delicate porcelain, brass and silver items, and statues belonging to the 18th century.
The entire palatial building is equipped to entertain state and personal guests of the governor and is open for tourists for most of the year.
#Trivia: The guest rooms are named after the UT's beaches—Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe, and Pondicherry.
Location of Raj Nivas
Raj Nivas is located near White town in Puducherry and is surrounded by breath-taking foliage and clean roads.
Image Gallery of Raj Nivas Puducherry
Entry fee and timings of Raj Nivas Pondicherry
Raj Nivas is open from 12 pm to 1:30 pm from Monday to Saturday and is free of cost. Children below five are not allowed; however, it is better to check with the admin department before making your registration. You may need to carry ID proof to enter the building.
Best time to visit Raj Nivas
As with other tourist attractions of Puducherry, Raj Nivas is best explored during the winter season from October to February. The rest of the year borders on humid to hot, making it challenging to explore the union territory.
How to reach Raj Nivas Puducherry
Travelling from different parts of the country is no longer a challenge to reach Puducherry. You can travel by -
Air: The Pondicherry airport is small and can accommodate only small aircraft. You will need to check your booking status and operability before proceeding. You can take a cab or a local rickshaw to reach Raj Nivas from the airport. The next nearest airport from Puducherry is Chennai, around 163 kms from the central city.
Rail: The nearest railway station is located around 35kms from Puducherry in Villupuram. It is well-connected to almost all the metros of the country. You can hire a cab from top car rental companies in Pondicherry and reach Raj Nivas anytime during the day.
Road: Puducherry falls on NH45, connecting it to other state and national highways. You can take a cab from Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad or drive your vehicle to come to Puducherry.
There are very few places that capture our interest and let us get away from the world of gadgets and devices. Puducherry provides us with just that and much more. Raj Nivas is one of the top tourist spots in Puducherry that attracts people from all walks of life to explore the true beauty of UT. Book a Pondicherry Tour package from Pondicherry Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA and spend some time exploring the beaches, small cafes, and markets of Puducherry that will give you a glimpse of the Portuguese and French settlements of an era bygone. Please fill the Contact Us form to know more.
