Arikamedu — Attraction in Puducherry

A very good place for Photo-shoots, Videography, Hangouts, etc. during day times. Taking the help of the Local Guide is very essential, if you need to really know this place.

Arikamedu (a fishermen colony & was used as a port), an Archaeological site is 4 Kms. south of Puducherry on the bank of Ariyankuppam River, which is said to be an ancient Roman trade centre. The long history dated back to the 2nd Century B.C., the PORT TOWN was inhabited by Romans, Cholas and French, etc, who left their mark on this wonderful place. It also suggests Sangam period, ancient Chola (1 B.C.), Chinese periods, etc. Evidences are there for Medieval East-West maritime trade as well.

Inland trade with other places such as Kaveripattinam, Alagankulam, Musiri and Suttukeni which are situated along river valley routes is also registered.

The “Wine” seems to have been a majorImport (Amphora jars - Yavanas and wine have been mentioned in the Tamil literatures). The Exports must have included textile, beads, semiprecious gems, glass and shell bangles, etc.

Later the site was divided into two sectors, the northern and southern, as they were perceived to have been inhabited by different ethnic groups.

Monsieur Pigneau de Behaine (Between 1771 and 1773)- designated Bishop of Adran - built a seminary and residence on the eastern part of the mount for the Jesuit missionaries driven out of Siam. It was abandoned in 1783.

The remaining walls of the seminary clearly indicate the use of mixed style of bricks and some of them, probably might have been pilfered from the ancient structures. The mission house has been the point of reference for many excavators (Wheeler, Casal and Vimala Begely & Co, etc).

Locals say that there are many other structure / buildings (in KMs), just below few feet (Mostly belonging to this French period).

There are a few fragments of decorative ceramic tiles and reliefs, pieces of pottery and glass in the Puducherry Museum.

TODAY: Except for the 2 PILLARS, perpendicular walls and mission house ruins + Heaps of bricks, there is not much that can be seen on the surface as the excavated trenches have been filled up. Coconut Trees, Palm Trees and Mango trees are seen in abundance {Ref to our Photos}. The view of the river is very scenic!

The staff over there were very cooperative and helpful. One could take us to the river side and shown even an abandoned WELL (Ruins – Pl Ref to Photos & if you like, pl comment). We could see the ruins of...

Arikamedu is an archaeological site in Southern India, in Kakkayanthope, Ariyankuppam Commune, Puducherry. It is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the capital, Pondicherry of the Indian territory of Puducherry.

Sir Mortimer Wheeler 1945, and Jean-Marie Casal conducted archaeological excavations there in 1947–1950. The site was identified as the port of Podouke, known as an "emporium" in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Ptolemy. Digs have found Amphorae, Arretine ware, Roman lamps, glassware, glass and stone beads, and gems at the site. Based on these excavations, Wheeler concluded that the Arikamedu was a Greek (Yavana) trading post that traded with Rome, starting during the reign of Augustus Caesar, and lasted about two hundred years—from the late first century BCE to the first and second centuries CE. Subsequent investigation by Vimala Begley from 1989 to 1992 modified this assessment, and now place the period of settlement from the 2nd century BCE to the 8th century CE.

Significant findings at Arikamedu include numerous Indo-Pacific beads, which facilitated fixing the period of its origin. Red and black ceramics—known as megalithic stones or Pandukal in Tamil meaning "old stones" and used to mark graves—have existed at the site even prior to dates of the trading post, and also in later periods.

Arikamedu is a coastal fishing village, under the Ariankuppam Panchayat, on the southeastern coast of India, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from Pondicherry, on the Pondicherry-Cuddalore road; it was originally a French colonial town. It is located on the bank of the Ariyankuppam River (for most part of the year the river is considered a lagoon), also known as Virampattinam River, which forms the northern outlet of the Gingee River as it joins the Bay of Bengal. As the site is located at the bend of the river it provides protection to sea-going vessels...

Arikamedu is an archaeological site in Southern India, in Kakkayanthope, Ariyankuppam Commune, Puducherry. It is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the capital, Pondicherry of the Indian territory of Puducherry.

Hidden gems near Pondicherry!!!!! ARIKAMEDU PORT & MANGROVE FOREST 🌳

Arikamedu, an abandoned city of South India and a flourishing Indo Roman trade centre during the 1st century BC is located about 7 Km south of Pondicherry on the bank of Ariyankuppam River. Arikamedu was an ancient port involved in the so-called Indo-Roman trade from the 3rd BCE.

As you enter the territory of this heritage site, you will come across the relics of walls, columns and mortars standing forlorn along the bank of Ariyankuppam River that will take you back to the glorious days of Roman trade in this region.

You can reach this place from both road or boat ride. The boat ride starts from Art &Craft Village( Wills Boat House-Murungapakkam, Pondicherry)

The ride Charges ₹280 per person on sharing basis. ( One can take private boat also starting from ₹2500 based on the locations included)

The boat ride not only include the visit to this amazing archeological excavation but also includes the view of beautiful mangrove forests, ship yard and sangam point (Ariyankuppam River meeting Sea 🌊)

The Art &Craft Village is itself a repository of art and handmade items. Handmade bags, Terracotta jewellery, Wooden toys, Marble accessories & decorative pieces etc... One can find many beautiful art and craft pieces to cherish and purchase!!!

I would recommend people to definitely visit this place and do take the boat ride to Arikamedu and enjoy the beautiful views and click amazing pictures!!! Note: Do carry water bottle as whole boat ride...