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Pondicherry

Pondicherry Overview

Puducherry (Pondicherry) hits you like a dream. It has much to offer and becomes one of those fond memories you look back upon and find solace in.

The city is decorated with French architecture. Walking around White Town, one is taken back in time by the beautiful French Quarters, with tree-lined streets, colonial villas, chic boutiques, and French cafes. The city stands out amongst many other Indian cities for its architecture. Its multi-ethnic population's laid-back attitude creates a beautiful fusion of East and West and blossoms into something that feels like home.

History of Pondicherry

The French East India Company started a trading center at Pondicherry in 1674. This center finally became the chief French settlement in India, there are no records before the arrival of western traders at Pondicherry as of now, but the areas around Pondicherry, mainly Arikamedu (4kms from the city center) was a Roman trading destination since 3rd Century BC and was part of the Pallava kingdom(4th century), the Cholas(10th to 13th century), the Pandyas(13th century), the Vijayanagar Empire(14th century), the sultan of Bijapur(1638) and finally the French colony.

The British captured Pondicherry from the French twice, once in 1761 and again in 1793, but it was handed back under the Treaty of Paris (1763) once and again in 1814 to France.

Many resolutions were passed by the municipalities in Pondicherry, demanding immediate merger with India on 18 March 1954. The resolutions supported the French Indian Councillors (ministers) and the President of the Representative Assembly. These Municipalities represented roughly 90 percent of the French colony population, and they called upon the Government of France to take immediate and necessary measures to give effect to the wishes of the people.

In an election consisting of 178 people, 170 people favored independence, and eight people voted against it on 18 October 1954. The transfer took place on 1 November 1954 and was established as the union territory of Pondicherry. However, the formal transfer of territory agreement between France and India was signed on 16 August 1962.

Demographic

Demographic
Pondicherry is spread over an area of 19.54 square kilometers and has over 244,377 inhabitants. Pondicherry's economy is majorly driven by engineering, food processing, chemicals, metals, tourism, textiles, and information technology.

Weather
Pondicherry has a tropical climate. Winters are warm, and temperatures can fluctuate between 21°C to 33°C, and in summers can fluctuate between 25°C to 39°C. Pondicherry gets the majority of its annual rainfall during the period from October to December. The annual average rainfall is 1,355 millimeters or 53 inches.

Culture

Pondicherry's Populus is multi-national and multi-ethnic by nature; they have a diverse culture and a secular attitude. The classical music mainly follows Carnatic's southern style, and the dance forms include Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi.

Festivals are celebrated with excitement and great enthusiasm. In March-April, the festival of Mascarade or the mask Festival is celebrated where the people parade in masks on the streets, merry-making. It is like the French version of Holi in North India. Masi Magam is another major festival celebrated by the people of Pondicherry in February-March, during which the idols from various neighborhood temples are taken out for immersion in the sea on the day when the Purnima (full moon day) aligns with the Mega star, people gather in the seafront to witness the spectacle. The celebration of India's Independence Day on 15 August is accompanied by Sri Aurobindo's Birth Anniversary, where devotees queue up at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram for Paying homage to the great soul. The Ashram is also the ground for the International Yoga Festival, which is celebrated every year in March-April. Indo-French war pageantry is presented on the ever of Bastille Day, a French commemoration. People of Pondicherry celebrate the Panguni Uthiram in March-April months every year and Sani Peyarchi Festival every three years.

Language
The local populous of Pondicherry converses in Dravidian and western languages of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English, and French. Pondicherry recognizes many languages as its state language. Most schools of the Union Territory impart education in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. Recently, Hindi has also emerged as one of the prominent languages of the native population. Pondicherry could have many other languages spoken in India due to its huge cultural mix of people from anywhere across the country. English is spoken in the city, and it is easy to spot someone who can speak English comfortably.

When to Go?
The winters are the best time to visit the city, with pleasant temperatures making the destination more appealing. The place sees a surge in tourist activities during the winters, and summers tend to become rather hot, humid, and sticky, and the temperature reaches around 40 degrees.

How to Get There?

Pondicherry is connected to the rest of India via National Highways, a Railway Terminal, and a Domestic Airport.

Airways - Puducherry's Domestic airport is connected to Bengaluru via daily flights - except for Wednesdays. Visitors can also drive down from the Domestic & International airports in Chennai, Trichy, or Bengaluru. Metropolitan cities like Chennai (151 km) and Trichy (203 km) are only a few hours by road, while Bangalore (307 km) takes a little longer.

Railways – Trains running daily to Villupuram, Chennai, and Tirupathi are available. Triweekly trains connect Puducherry to Mumbai and Bangalore. Other cities like Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, New Delhi, Mangalore, and Kanyakumari are connected by weekly trains.

Roadways - The best connectivity is definitely by road. Multiple buses transit daily to and from Chennai and Bangalore, from hop-on hop-off local buses to air-conditioned multi-axle luxury ones. Pondicherry also offers overnighter luxury buses to Hyderabad (784 km). One can also book a Taxi or a coach to and from any of the above destinations.

Places to See in Pondicherry

Sri Aurobindo Ashram - This is the main spiritual site of the city, famous around the world, and visited in large numbers by both national and international travelers. The foundation was laid by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, earlier known as Mirra Alfassa. It contains a library that outlines the work done by the founders and contains their teachings. A handicraft center sells many handmade dolls and traditional Ayurvedic medicines.

Pondicherry Museum - This museum is rich with the history of Pondicherry. The artifacts here date back to the Chola and Pallava dynasties' times and also portray the French occupation. The perfect place for any history buff looking to get lost in the past of the city.

Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple - The mesmerizing temple built for Lord Ganesh is a widely famed religious and tourist attraction. The beautiful golden hue of the temple can mesmerize any visitor with its brilliance. The annual religious festival is celebrated in August and September.

Notre Dame Des Anges - This architectural marvel is the replica of the Basilica Church, present in France. This religious center can blow anyone away with its sheer magnificence and beauty. The ambiance makes it perfect for praying in silence and getting into one's meditative space.

Seaside Promenade - The towering statue of Mahatma Gandhi is the main attraction here, surrounded by French architecture and luxurious 5-star properties, Park Guest House and Mother's Tennis Court, this place is highly recommended, you will see people gather around in huge numbers in the evenings on the beach.

Things to Do in Pondicherry

Bask in the sun and enjoy the sea-breeze gently caressing your face
Pondicherry has unblemished, serene beaches, where beach lovers kick back, relax, soak up the sun and sand and watch the world go by. The promenade is one of the longest beaches in Pondicherry. Taking a long walk and watching the sunset, with the sky hitting shades of red and orange and pink and reflecting it all back and forth the turquoise water, looks like an absolute dream. If you love the adrenaline rush of water sports, Paradise Beach and Karaikal Beach are perfect for visiting, while for those wanting to go surfing, Serenity Beach is the best spot and, if you're looking for a relaxed time on the beach, Mahe Beach is ideal for you.

Boating at Chunnambar Backwater
If water sports at the beach isn't your cup of tea and you are looking for something quieter and peaceful, you can hit the backwaters of the Chunnambar River. Boating through the serene backwaters is an ethereal experience, complete with stunning views of the verdant beauty and exotic birds in the area. Both pedal and motorboats are available.

Go scuba dive in one of the best scuba diving spots in the country.
Pondicherry's water clarity and a wide range of marine life are outstanding; this has turned Pondicherry into one of the country's best places for scuba divers. Plunging up to 40 meters of depth, the diving sites in the city are perfect for both novices and pros. Divers often face some of the most exotic and finest sea creatures, including Sea Snakes, Corals, Moray Eels, Triggerfish, Manta Rays, Lionfish, Angelfish, Parrotfish, Kingfish, and other aquatic creatures.

Other Places to be Explored

Some other places to be explored around Pondicherry are:

Chidambaram - Chidambaram is a highly revered temple town with the great temple complex of Nataraja (Shiva), located about 58 km from Pondicherry. The town is famous for its ancient shrines and historic buildings and is rich with the past's Dravidian culture and architecture.

Ousteri Wetland and National Park - A national park recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), rich in flora and fauna and a major resting place for several migratory birds, Ousteri Wetland and National Park is a bird watcher's delight and lay 10 km from Pondicherry town on the Pondicherry-Villuppuram road.

International Center for Yoga Education and Research (ICYER) - ICYER is a strict traditional ashram that requires strict discipline, routine, and devotion towards a yogic living. ICYER follows the gurukul method of teaching to date, and the students are required to reside in the Ashram living with the guru and his family. The center believes that total immersion into yogic living is achieved through this process. A residential teacher training course of 6-month duration is offered, and an advanced teacher training course of an additional six months is provided to the ones who have completed the first six months.

Auroville - 15 km from the city of Pondicherry, Auroville is located in Tamil Nadu and was founded by Mirra Alfassa, a disciple of Sri Aurobindo and fondly known as the 'Mother' in 1968. The Ashram stands for tranquillity and peace. Sitting in one of the cafes and talking to some of the residents about their living experience in the city is one of the best ways to experience and understand Auroville. Auroville is an experimental township where people from all cultures and traditions come and live in peace and harmony surrounded by nature. Currently, over 2,814 people from over 54 different nationalities are the official residents of this township. Auroville is highly recommended for vegans traveling to Pondicherry.

Places to Eat in Pondicherry

Rendezvous cafe - Goan, Mangalorean, Continental, French, Non-Vegetarian.
The stylish and colonial ambiance along with their unique coastal fusion food makes it a must to dine place when in Pondicherry
Recommended Items: Chocolate Mousse, Potato Mash, and Pork Ribs

Les Alizés - Continental, Seafood, and South Indian
Les Alizés is undoubtedly one of Pondicherry's best rooftop restaurants, inside Palais De Mahe that offers breathtaking views of the White Town. A delightful place with the perfect ambiance, gorgeous colonial architecture, and freshly-cooked-to-perfection seafood makes Les Alizés stand out.
Recommended Items: Appam, Spinach Crepe, and Mutton Curry

Coromandel Cafe & Restaurant - French, Italian, and British
One of the most beautiful restaurants with a vibrant bar area, a CMYK bookstore, and a beautiful outdoor ambiance, Coromandel Cafe & Restaurant, provides you with a perfect dining experience with old classical music playing in the background.
Recommended Items: Chicken Skewer, and Fettuccini with Buttered Mushrooms

Kasha ki Asha - Continental, European, Fusion, South Indian, Vegetarian
With an all-female team of chefs, Kasha ki Asha provides you with a range of fusion food to make your visit to Pondicherry worthwhile.
Recommended Items: Black Bean Burger, and Pancakes

Bay Of Buddha - Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Asian, and Indonesian
From the traditional Thai cuisines to exquisite Vietnamese dishes, treat your taste buds to the best food in the town while soaking the goodness of White Town's panoramic views.
Recommended Items: Chicken Satay, Pad Thai, and Sushi

Vegan Zeals - Vegan, Indian, Italian, Delivery, Take-out, Fusion
For the vegans in town, your one-stop place for cruelty-free delicious food with a beautiful ambiance.
Recommended Items: tofu butter masala and spinach patties

Places to Stay in Pondicherry

The best options to stay in Pondicherry are:

Le Pondicherry
Le Pondicherry, situated at Pondicherry, is a premium leisure resort beautifully lounged at an estuary between Chunnambar River and Bengal Bay. Le Pondicherry celebrates Pondicherry in all its true sense - the spirit, the architecture, and the revelry.

La Villa
LA VILLA is located 500 m from Sri Aurobindo Ashram and hence has an excellent location. LA VILLA is a place with sophisticated and luxurious western design throughout and avoiding the modern developed world's mistakes, where the local environment has been treated as an ally.

Ocean Spray Resort
The Ocean Spray Resort is luxury redefined, with large rooms and princely villas, guest can enjoy a dip in their infinity pool. Taking inspiration from nature, the resort has sustainability in its core values and makes for breathtaking views.

Palais De Mahe - CGH Earth
Palais De Mahe, with its clean streets, neatly plastered bungalows, and flower-decked balconies, brings out the spirit of colonial France. The style remains faithful to its historical past, while the experience being on offer is a blissful blend of the old and the new, making you feel like a traveler in time.

Club Mahindra Puducherry
The perfect getaway for your family trip, with a beautiful location surrounded by flora all around and with direct beach access combine with all-round amenities to give you a memorable experience. From building sandcastles to racing your kids on quad bikes to trying out new sports like zorbing and archery, there's never a dull moment at this Club Mahindra paradise.

The Promenade
Situated on Pondicherry's famous rock beach in White Town makes The Promenade an ideal stay for those looking to dive into the town's history, architecture, and ambiance. The hotel has gorgeous custom-designed rooms that overlook the azure sea and the town's ancient lighthouse. The Storyteller's Bar is uniquely conceptualized and reveals in-depth stories about the city's history, culture, and soul.

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