The green lung of the city, Bharathi Government Park is popular for the Aayi Mandapam monument and is situated in the old colonial town. Open to public between six in the mornings and nine in the evenings on all seven days of the week, the park is surrounded by the Legislative Assembly, the old Hotel Qualite, Lt Governor's Palace, Ashram Dining Room and the Cercle de Pondicherry private club.

The Aayi Mandapam is also remarkable for the geometry of its architecture and has four lanes that divide the park into almost equal quarters. A number of stately buildings and sculptures peer down upon the monument from surrounding areas. It is not only an idyllic picnic spot but also a gathering place for the elderly who congregate here in the evenings.