In the month of April 2017, FSL-India LTV Bangalore region organized a Cultural Event (CE) at Pondicherry zone, under the Theme ‘History’.

Pondicherry: Theme: History:  In the Pondicherry zone, there was one volunteer who participated in the CE and they visited Gingee Fort. The Gingee Fort complex is built on three hillocks: Krishnagiri to the north, Rajagiri to the west and Chandrayandurg to the southeast. The three hills together constitute a fort complex, each having a separate and self-contained citadel. The fort walls are 13 km (8.1 mi) and the three hills are connected by walls enclosing an area of 11 square kilometres (4.2 sq mi). It was built at a height of 800 feet (240 m) and protected by a 80 feet (24 m) wide moat. The complex has a seven-storey Kalyana Mahal (marriage hall), granaries, prison cells, and a temple dedicated to its presiding Hindu goddess called Chenjiamman. The fortifications contain a sacred pond known as Aanaikulam. On the top of the hillock, there are minor fortifications. The fort, in modern times, is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India. The fort is one of the prominent tourist destinations in Villupuram district. In the afternoon they had lunch together,after which our Coordinator had a 1-to-1 talk with the volunteers about the project and host family.

Feedback from the volunteers

• Learned about the hills at Gingee fort
• I felt very good today
• Food also good
• Thank you for the day
• It was very hot today but we managed well