Puducherry (formerly
Pondicherry) is a Union Territory of India. It is a
former French colony, consisting of four non-contiguous
enclaves, or districts, located on the Coromandel Coast
of the Bay of Bengal. There are no hills or forests
in this region. The main soil types in this region are
red ferrallitic, black clay and coastal alluvial. Puducherry
is a unique place. and according to many it has a distinct
spiritual vibration. The nickname “Pondy” sums up this
shared feeling of belonging, of having come home.
Weather
For
the most part of the year Pondicherry has a hot and
humid climate with temperatures ranging between 26 and
38°C. The main rainy season is in November-January and
the 'small' monsoon in July-September relieves Pondycherry
from the summer heat with light showers. During the
months of May and June there may be times when its hot
and dry wind blowing instead of high humidity.
Tourism
Puducherry is a quiet
little town on the southern coast and best place if
you are looking for a get away from the hustle and bustle
of big city. The quaint colonial heritage buildings,
unspoilt virgin beaches, backwater, choice of restaurants
serving a melange of cuisines, and the unmistakable
French connection provide a heady mix that draw travellers
from near and far. Puducherry has a special ambience
and a distinct spiritual vibration. Puducherry is best
accessible by road from Chennai, Bangalore and even
from Kerala.Chennai has an international airport which
directly connects to the highway to Puducherry.
Places
of Tourist Interest
Aurobindo
Ashram : The main building comprises the houses
of Shri Aurobindo and The Mother Mirra Alfassa, a French
woman who accepted Aurobindo as her spiritual mentor
and guide and later became his most important disciple.
The ashram has samadhis of Aurobindo and The Mother.
The other places of interest in the Ashram complex are
the International Education Centre, guesthouses, libraries
and the cottage industries.
Beach : The 1500 metre long beach
that borders the town on the eastern side is clean
and is an exotic stretch for swimming and sun bathing.
The 4m. tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi and the the
War Memorial, built by the French in commemoration
of the soldiers who died in the First World War are
two monuments of historical importance on this beach.
The Light House, which stands 29m. high is further
down the beach and is over 150 years old.
French Institute : Founded by the
renowned French Indologist Dr. J. Fillozet in 1995,
this internationally acclaimed institute is situated
on Dumas street. The institute has separate sections
on science, technology, ecology, cartography, pedagogy,
Indian languages and culture. The Romain 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 perhaps the only permanent
link with France in Pondicherry.
JIPMER : This is one of the foremost
medical institutions in the country. JIPMER, which
is short form for the Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate
Medical Education and Research, was established 20
years ago and is one of the most prestigious institutions
of its kind in the country.
Botanical Gardens : Just off West
Boulevard, the gardens planned by C.S. Perrotet in
1826, have a good collection of exotic flowering plants
from India and abroad. There is also an aquarium here,
which has some rare species of ornamental fish.
Museum : Strated in 1984, this museum
displays some of the 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 Dupleix, a
palanquin and a pousse-pousse, which resembles a rickshaw.
Churches : There are many of churches
that are worth visiting and one of the most beautiful
is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus located
on South Boulevard. It is built in the Gothic style
and has three stained glass panels in a corridor behind
the altar, which depict the life of Christ. The Eglise
de Notre Dame des Anges on Rue Dumas was built in
1865. The church has an oil painting of Our Lady of
Assumption that was 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 conducted in June every year draws
devotees of all faiths. It is probably the only church
that has a temple tank.
Temples : There are several temples
in Pondicherry that 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. There are also quite a few temples
dedicated to Lord Vinayaka or Ganapathy. The Varadaraja
temple, built sometime in the 12th century, has inscriptions
which tell of a Sanskrit university that existed at
Thirubhuvanam. The Manakula Vinayaka temple is also
very popular with both the locals and visitors for
it is believed that Lord Ganapathy, the presiding
deity, favours his devotees with success in whatever
they do. The Masi Magam festival held during the full
moon day of Tamil month of Masi(February-March) attracts
a large number of devotees.
The Thirukameshwarar temple in Villiyanur was built
during the 12th century and dedicated to Lord Siva.
Thousands of Pilgirims visit this temple during its
annual car-festival held in May-June.
Festivals
& Events
Pongal Festival
: is the festival of harvest, earth and sun.
Masi Magam : In the morning around
30 sacred images from a wide region are bathed ritually
in the sea shore. In the evening the sacred images
gathered in one place. In night there is a procession
of images in a illuminated cars.
Chitrai kalai Vizha : Department
of Art & Culture, Government of Puducherry organize
Indian Classical music and dances in various places
of Puducherry in summer.
Villianur Temple Car Festival : On
the full moon between mid May and mid June falls the
ninth day of a ten day festival. On this day the temple
car with the image of the god is paraded around the
town.
Veerampattinam Car Festival : In
the month of August the festival is celebrated in
Veerampattinam, a fishing village near Ariyankuppam.
On this day the temple car with the image of the god
is paraded around the village.
The other major events of Puducherry are Fete De
Puducherry (Festival of Puducherry), Independence
Day- 15th of August, Puducherry De Jure Transfer Day,
Sri Aurobindo’s Birth Anniversary, Vinayaka
Chathurthi, Navaratri, Ayudha Puja, Vijayadasami,
Deepavali, Karthigai Deepam and many more!
When to
Go
The best time to visit
Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) is January and March
and August to October.
Interesting
Fact
Infact the original
name was Puducherry, the French spelt it as Poudichery.
At some time, the ‘u' was mistaken for a ‘n' and the
misspelling stuck and Puducherry became popular as Pondicherry.
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