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French Colony
The French established this botanical Garden in Pondicherry in 1826 to conserve rare species. Trees here are over 100 years old and are maintained well by the Government of Puducherry (Pondicherry) under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Trees in this botanical garden are a mix of indigenous and exotic varieties that span 11 hectares of land. Currently, 298 species of trees under 198 genera are living there. It is a treat for botanists or people who love plants and trees.
Life of Pi
Botanical Garden is located very close to the white town and is considered the lungs of Pondicherry city, breathing fresh air. Pondicherry Botanical Garden was featured in the “Life of Pi” movie, and they showed that the garden has a zoo. Most trees were over a hundred years old, and the Pondicherry government maintained the park well. You can have a leisure walk through the garden spread over 22 acres of land.
This garden has more than 1500 species of flora from different parts of the world. It has a toy train inside the garden, the prime attraction for kids and adults alike. There is an aquarium with tropical fishes, which will surely attract your eyeballs. The aquarium has an entry fee of rupees, which is different from the entrance fees of the garden.
Annual Flower Show
The annual flower show happens during February, which’s the best time to visit the botanical garden. At that time of the year, most of the seasonal flowers will be on display grown by the horticulture department. You will be stunned by their presentation. In 2021, they displayed fewer flowers, citing Covid 19 restrictions in Pondicherry.
During the Annual flower show, Plants will be kept for sale by the Pondicherry farmers in different stalls. Other than that, there will be stalls for food and beverages. Flowers from the annual show will be kept at the botanical garden even after the flower show. The staff will maintain it till it dies. So you can check out the flowers even after the show. On regular days you don’t find any food stalls inside the botanical garden, so plan accordingly
Book your hotels near Botanical Garden
Best Season: Even though the botanical garden opens all through the year, July to March will be best to walk around where the temperature will be tolerable in Pondicherry.
Time: 9.00pm to 6.00Pm
Entry ticket price: Free for children who are below 130cm in height. For adults, it is 20 rupees per head and for foreigners who are above 5 years old, it is 50 rupees per head.
Open on All days (Except Monday)
Reaching there: It is located in the heart of the Pondicherry and it is easy to reach here. Bus, Share Auto(Tempo)/ Auto rickshaws are available to Botanical Garden from the Pondicherry bus stand.
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