Mahatma Gandhi Statue

At Promenade Beach, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi - Father of the Nation, is one of the main landmarks in the territory of Pondicherry. The statue was built by a popular sculptor, Roy Choudhary. Apart from the statue itself, the main highlight of this popular tourist site in Pondicherry is the eight beautiful carved pillars that surround the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

It was Gingee Fort, which is around 68 km from Pondicherry, from where these monolithic granite pillars were brought and erected in the year 1866. However, the Gandhi Statue was later placed in the year 1965, just opposite the Old Pier. Gandhi Statue is the third biggest effigy of Mahatma Gandhi with a height of 4 m.

Just below the statue, there is a tunnel that leads to Gingee. In the past, the government took some initiative to make this tunnel work by desilting it. As a result of this, few people died out of suffocation, and hence, the tunnel was eventually closed. People who visit Promenade Beach also come to explore this historical site in Pondicherry.

Every day, a large number of travelers pay a visit to this place which signifies the importance of the Gandhi Statue in the tourism sector of Pondicherry.

History of Mahatma Gandhi Statue

The Statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Pondicherry was constructed by the celebrated artist, Roy Chaudhury, of the Madras School of Arts and Crafts. Apart from the statue itself, eight white monolithic pillars surround the edifice.

These beautifully carved monolithic pillars were transferred from the Gingee Fort, which is located only 68 kilometers out of Pondicherry, and erected in the year 1986. The Gandhi Statue itself was erected much later, in the year 1995, right opposite the Old Pier.