Aayi Mandapam
A white colonial-era monument in the centre of Bharathi Park, commemorating Aayi, who reportedly gave up her house for a water reservoir.
Overview
Aayi Mandapam is a white monument in the middle of Bharathi Park in Puducherry. It commemorates Aayi, who is said to have demolished her home to build a reservoir.
Aayi Mandapam, also called the Park Monument (French: Monument du Parc), is a white monument in the centre of Bharathi Park in Puducherry. Wikipedia says it was built during the reign of Napoleon III and commemorates the provision of water to the city during French rule. It is named after a courtesan called Aayi, who reportedly demolished her own residence to build a water reservoir for the town, and a statue of Aayi stands inside the structure.
The monument sits in the heart of the park, which is surrounded by government buildings of the French Quarter, so it is an easy stop between the Promenade, the Pondicherry Museum and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is a short visit, mostly of interest for the story behind it and the colonial-era architecture. Wikipedia gives no opening hours or entry fee, and we did not find an official source for either, so treat the park as having unconfirmed hours.
A photograph taken in the evening light, such as one on Wikimedia Commons, shows why it is popular with photographers.
Entry fees
Fee information currently needs verification.
No fee or ticket information found.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
Opening hours have not been confirmed by a reliable source yet.
No hours found.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- October to March
- Best time of day
- Late afternoon
- How long to spend
- 20-30 minutes
- Families
- Suitable for families
Location
Photos
Aayi Mandapam in Bharathi Park. Photo: iMahesh / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Park Monument. Photo: Mohan Babu V / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Monument in the park. Photo: Rainer Halama / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Statue of Aayi. Photo: Jatin071178 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Aayi Mandapam in the evening. Photo: B-Pro 9 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
Who was Aayi?
According to Wikipedia, Aayi was a courtesan who reportedly demolished her own house to build a water reservoir for the city; the monument is named after her.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 7 October 2026
Not available yet
- Opening hours
- Park entry fee, if any
- Exact address
- Wikipedia – Aayi Mandapam · Encyclopedia
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