Aayi Mandapam is named after Aayi, a legendary courtesan known for her selfless act of generosity. According to local folklore, she demolished her own house to create a water reservoir, ensuring a reliable water supply for the people of Pondicherry. Decades later, the French rediscovered the reservoir, and Emperor Napoleon III ordered the construction of a monument in her honor. This ... https://lacedilleindia.com/aayi-mandapam-pondicherry-timing-history-legacy/