When the quaint locale of Pondicherry calls you to venture within its iconic streets presenting a multi-cultural allure, the Raj Niwas presents some unique photo opportunities that hearken back to the city’s era under French colonial rule, which forever altered its cultural landscape. The city is home to a vibrant array of quality Pondicherry accommodation that provides a welcome home away from home for you to make the most of your time here. The Hotel Atithi is one option of a stylish Pondicherry hotel with warm hospitality and delightful interiors that promise to make any Pondi excursion truly unforgettable. A major historic attraction in Pondi is the regal edifice of the Raj Niwas, which is the official private residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, located in the capital city of Pondicherry. It bears the hallmarks of elegant French-colonial architecture, as it was built during the country’s colonization of the city, and was erected to house the French Governor Dupleix. One of its most distinctive features is its monolithic pillars, brought from the Gingee Fort in the mid-eighteenth century after the fort’s capture. Although the Raj Niwas is not opened to the public, the stunning exterior provides an excellent photo opportunity, and much like Buckingham Palace, witnesses the changing of the guard is always an intriguing spectacle. Witnessing the Raj Niwas on Republic Day – January 26, which is when India’s constitution came into force – is a special treat as it is bedecked with a spectacular array of lights and festoonery.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.
