Kishangarh

Puducherry

From French-inspired lifestyle to surfing venues, explore the many wonders of Puducherry.

1 Hues of heritage

An erstwhile French colony, Puducherry’s architecture includes a mix of stunning colonial structures in places like the French Quarter and traditional Tamil households with the quintessential ‘thalvaram’ or street veranda.

2 Ancient ruins

Only seven kilometres south of Puducherry are located the ruins of an ancient Roman trade centre called Arikamedu, which dates back to the 2nd century B.C. Also, visit the Gingee or Senji Fort (dubbed “Troy of the East”), located about an hour away.

3 Water world

Visit pristine beaches that offer a relaxing holiday with serene vistas and thrilling water sports. Mahe beach, Serenity beach, and the blue-flag Eden Garden beach are must-visit spots.

4 Ode to art

Puducherry is popular for its crafts. Explore the Art and Craft Village at Murungapakkam near Puducherry to see beautiful items created by local artisans using terracotta, ceramics, paper and more.

5 Divine path

From shrines like Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple to churches like the Sacred Heart Church, Puducherry is an important centre of spirituality. Also, visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

6 Food hub

Several picturesque cafes and coffee shops dot Puducherry. Sample French delights and authentic Tamil delicacies, from buttery croissants to uttapam, at La Cafe and The Indian Kaffe Express, among many others.

1. Art tales

The city is known for its eponymous school of miniature painting that flourished around the 18th century. This school of art is known for its intricate work and portrayal of a distinct style of female beauty.

2. Sufi sanctuary

Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the revered 13th-century Sufi shrine, is around 30 km from Kishangarh. The final resting place of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, this shrine is visited by devotees in large numbers.

3. Golden reverence

Only 40 minutes away is the stunning, ornate Soniji ki Nasiyan or Ajmer Jain Temple. Said to be among the most opulent temples in India, its main chamber is adorned with gold-plated wooden figures.

4. Marble city

Kishangarh is popular for its marble art and is often called India’s Marble City. Do explore the shops selling intricate marble craft items in the city. And if you want some dramatic photographs, stop by the Dumping Yard.

5. Ripples of beauty

Along the Kishangarh Fort are picturesque lakes — Gundu lav Talab and Hamir Sagar — that are popular picnic spots. There’s a beautiful palace and hunting lodge in the middle of Gundu lav Talab, called Mokham Vilas.

6. Royal chronicles

The Kishangarh Fort is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Inside the fort is the resplendent Phool Mahal palace, now converted into a heritage hotel. Admire the frescoes and the Durbar Hall. The Roopangarh Fort is also popular.