Puducherry or Pondicherry is a Union Territory and was formerly a French colony. It consists of districts and attracts a number of tourists. It has witnessed the advent, rise and fall of Buddhism, the resurgence of Hinduism and the penetration of Christianity and Islam. It is also believed that there was a Roman settlement in Pondicherry about 2,000 years ago. It was later the part of the kingdom of the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Vijayanagar rulers and the Nayaks. It also witnessed the invasion by foreigners, the French, the Portuguese and the Dutch, had taken root here. It was during the 18th century that the French tookover Pondicherry. For nearly around hundred and thirty eight years the French ruled the soil. One of the unique features of Pondicherry is that there are five official languages namely Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, French and English. People from various religions and communities co-exist here and one can find a large number of temples, churches and mosques.

Tourist Attractions

The Promenade

The Promenade at Puducherry around 1500 metres long is one of the finest in the country. The statue of Monsieur Dupleix, the greatest French Governor of Pondicherry stands at the southern tip of the Promenade. To the back of his statue is the port with a new pier which measures around 284 metres and at the northern tip of the Promenade is the distillery. There is a 4.25 metres tall statue of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi to the midway of the promenade. There are then the Gandhi Maidan where there are eight exquisite monolithic pillars and facing the maidan stands the statue of Jawaharlal Nehru. There is then the Town Hall which faces the Bay of Bengal and to its left is the War Memorial which was erected by the French to honour the Pondicherry soldiers who layed down their lives in the First World War.

The Government Square

The Government Square is a park with well laid out with lawns, beds and fountains with one from the Napoleon III period. It is located in front of the Raj Niwas, the residence of the Lieutenant Governor. There are some charmingly chiseled pillars which were brought from Gingee to Pondicherry after the capture of its Fort in 1751 also at the park. There is a monument in the middle of the park of a harlot built by Napoleon III, Emperor of France, who reigned during the later half of the 19th century. The harlot belonged to Pondicherry and it was by her charity that direct supply of water to the town was possible.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

To Sri Aurobindo Ashram is the place where Sri Aurobindo the one time National leader built his Ashram. It was in this Ashram that he did his Integral Yoga and wrote his literary and philosophical works. With the help of a French lady, Madam Mirra Richard, who later came to be known as the Mother Sri Aurobindo started to train others in his comprehensive and world-accepting system of spirituality. Madam Mirra Richard had followed the same spiritual path on her own. The Samadhi that houses the bodies of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, in the main premises of the Ashram, is always decorated with a wide variety of flowers in charming patterns hundreds of devotees visit this holy place every day.

Auroville - Pondy’s Other Half

Auroville is a universal township located 8 kms north of Pondicherry. Founded by the Aurobindo Ashram, the foundation was laid on 28th February 1968, when representatives of 124 countries poured a handful of their native country's soil into a concrete lotus, giving their support of the project. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity. Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony”, such was the Mother’s vision of it.

Travel

Air: The nearest airport is at Chennai.

Rail: Pondicherry is connected by rail to Chennai, Trichy and Villupuram.

Road: There are direct bus links to many places in the state and also to Bangalore in Karnataka.

Related Topics
Other States in South India