PONDICHERRY, formerly a French colony, is aptly known India’s French Riviera. A union territory, which lies within the state of Tamil Nadu, the inherent ambience of Pondicherry becomes most evident in the oldest part of the town, which flanks the seashore boulevard. Almost every month, there is an Important fair or a festival. Same are religious in nature, others cultural and spiritual and still others, purely gourmet!
Quiet beaches and peaceful resorts is north and south balance the town’s bustling, yet easy going life. But Pondy as it is affectionately known, has its own special attractions to offer. Colonial buildings which trace back to the 18th century line along a of straight clean streets and house the French Institutions, private homes and businesses and the sprawling premises of the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram
This s virgin territory, a hideway with many sureness. The alone destination, targeting the upper mid segment discerning domestic travellers with heritage, spiritual and beach packages.
EXCURSION
Pondicherry is a perfect base to explore the rich destinations around it, even as day trips: AUROVILLE, the international City of Unity; the imposing Gingee Fort; the holy temple towns of KANCHIPURAM TIRUVANNAMALAI AND CHISAMBERAN, the heritage sculptures and magnificent rock temples of Mamallapuram and the cool and lush hilletatili of Yercaud and Kondaikanal
This city of dawn, designed by the French architect Roger Anger, was started as an experimental commune where people of all nationalities respective of caste, creed or religion would live together in hamory About 550 people from different countries live in the 40 settlements of Auroville today,
It is advisable to hire bicycles to look around, as the village is too large to wander through on foot Surrounded by Lakes And Gardens, the sphere shaped Matrl Information Centre at Promesse Is the first top Here, at the 25 hearse, farm and orchard, organic agriculture has been practiced successfully, The produce is used in the kitchens of Auroville sewer as the Ashram In Pondicherry. Among the settlements that attract tourists are Fraternity and Harmonie, which are the art and handicraft came, A boutique at Harmonie displays jewellery, hand-made paper and incense among other handicraft items.
The 1,500-metre long beach that borders the town an the eastern side is ideal for swimming. The two monuments of historical importance on the beach are the 4m STATUE OF MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE WAR MEMORIAL, built by the French in commemoration of the soldiers who died in the First World War. The 150-year old Light House at Soon Is further down the beach.
THE GOVERNMENT PARK is the center of the old colonial part of the town and provides a cool and lush green anchor around which most government buildings are situated the Lt Governors Palace, the Legislative Assembly Government Hospital, but also the Ashram Dining Room in a beautiful villa, the Cerde de Pondichery, which is a private club, and old Hotel Qualite.
Situated an Dumas Street, is the internationally acclaimed institute established by the renowned French Indologist Du J. Fillozet in 1995. The institute has separate sections on science, technology, ecology, cartography, pedagogy, Indian languages and culture. THE REMAIN ROLLAND LIBRARY has a collection of over 60,000 books, some of which are rare French volumes The institute conducts research in arts and sciences and is now perhaps the only permanent link with France in Pondicherry
Just off West Boulevard, the gardens planned by C S Feudist in 1826, have a good collection of exotic flovierry, plants from Indiaand abroad. There is also an aquarium here which has some rare species of ornamental fish
Opened in 1984, the PONDICHERRY MUSEUM has on display come fine antiques, apart from sections devoted to archaeology, geology, sculpture, handicrafts, objects of art, printing and armaments. Among the exhibits on display are the bed used by Duplex a palanquin and pousse which resembles a rickshaw.
Among the churches that are worth visiting, the most beautiful is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on South Boulevard. Built in Gothic style, it has three stained glass panels in a corridor behind the altar which depicts the life of Christ The False de Notre Dame des Anges on Rue Dumas was built in 1865. The church has an oil painting of Our Lady of Assumption donated by Napoleon III The Eglise de Notre Dame de Lourdes situated in Villiyanur on the outskirts of Pondicherry is built on the same pattern as the Basilica at Lourdes in France The church festival in June every year draws devotees of all faiths It is probably the only church with a temple tank
TEMPLES IN PONDICHERRY
were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries.
Most of them are dedicated to the local goddesses of the villages where they
were constructed. The Veradarajo temple has inscriptions which tell of a Sanskrit
university that existed at Thrurbonvanam The Manakula Vinayaka temple is famous
for both the locals and visitors for it is believed that Lord Ganapathy, the
presiding deity favour devotees with success in whatever they do.