Aayi Mandapam Pondicherry is among one of the top places to visit in Pondicherry. Aayi Mandapam also known as Park Monument is a white monument built during the rule of Napoleon III, Emperor of France. There are lush green lawns on the front side of the monument. It is a 162 years old monument. The monument is named after a lady called ‘Ayi’ who sacrificed her own house to help the water line reach the city. Thus, the white monument celebrates the supply of water in the city during the French reign.

Location

The Aayi Mandapam also known as Park Monument is built in thecenter of the Bharathi Park in the beautiful White town of Pondicherry. 

History

King Krishnadevaraya had travelled to Pondicherry one day. A white beautiful building near the coast had grabbed the king’s attention. The king thought it to be a religious place. He went towards it and bowed with his hands folded. People around stared at the king with surprise. Few young people started giggling on seeing the king’s behaviour. An old man came forward and asked him why he bowed down before the building which is a brothel. 

The king was stunned. He felt embarrassed and demanded an explanation for the old man’s comment. The old man told him it is a brothel run by a woman called Ayi, a prostitute. The king at once became angry and asked his men to demolish the building. Ayi was brought to the king. She requested the king to save her house. The king denied so she requested him to allow her to break the house. The women brought down her beautiful house and instead built a water tank (AyiKulam) for the people of that place. 

Years later when the French people faced acute water shortage, a 5 kilometres long tunnel was built from AyiKulam to a park in the French town. King Napoleon III upon hearing the story behind the water tank was impressed. He asked architect Monsieur Lamairesse to build a monument for Ayi in the Greco-Roman style. The memorial is known as Aayi Mandapam or Park Monument. It adds a unique charm to Pondicherry Tourism.

Aayi Mandapam architecture

Aayi Mandapam is built by the French architect Monsieur Lamairesse in the Greco-Roman style. It is a white monument built in the memory of Ayi. The memorial resembles a bit with the arched gateway of European architecture.

Aayi Mandapam is a beautiful and peaceful place with lush green lawns around. This is a mandatory part of the Pondicherry Tour Package.