An Insight :
Pondicherry is today a Union territory. Pondicherry or Puducheri means 'the
new settlement' in the local language. What excites tourists in Pondicherry
is its still dominant aura of French culture and Aurobindo Ashram.
Pondicherry (Puducheri) literally means 'the new settlement'. The French
settlement comprising the town Pondicherry, fondly called Pondy and three
other pockets in the different states, Karaikal (Tamil Nadu), Mahe Kerala),
and Yanam (Andhra Pradesh), is what makes today's Union Territory of
Pondicherry, which is 200 km south of Chennai (Madras).
Pondicherry is a planned city unlike most other places in India. All the
roads meet at right angles according to the grid system and a long Petit
Canal divides the city on the seaward side. The French township is on the
sea-facing side while the other is on the Indian side.
Lets Explore Pondicherry :
» Pondicherry Museum - Situated in the Government
Park, the Pondicherry Museum has a good sculpture gallery and a section of
archaeological finds from the Roman settlement at Arikamedu. There is also a
French section charting the history of the colony. The objects include the
four-poster bed in which Dupleix is believed to have slept. There is also a
superb collection of snail shells from the Pondicherry region.
» Promenade - A lovely beach within bike range
from the city center in the north is a pleasant surprise. With a 1.5-km-long
promenade, this is the most delightful part of the city. A stroll, sunbath,
or a swim enhances the quality of experience. On the beach front are located
many sites such as a statue of Mahatma Gandhi surrounded by eight
exquisitely carved monolithic pillars and a war memorial.
» Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Built in
the Gothic style, this massive church is one of the most beautiful churches
in Pondicherry.
» Places Around Pondicherry - There are exciting
birds watching excursions at Kaliveli Tank, Ousteri or the lighthouse marsh.
Gingee about 50 km south east of Madras is a very interesting enclave of
forts that were constructed around the 1200 AD. Also close at hand is the
fossil tree-Tiruvakkadai and Ramana Maharishi's Ashram at Tiruvunamallai.
The backwaters of Pichavaram and Chidambaram are full of mangroves and birds
too. South of Pondicherry, at Chidambaram, there is a temple complex is a
good example of Dravidian architecture. World famous for its shore temples,
Mahabalipuram is a pleasant little village-an ideal place for relaxation.
Besides the temple relics, one can visit the Crocodile Bank too. The Gulf of
Mannar Marine National Park has living corals for one to see. The temple
cities of Thanjavur and Kumbhakonam are also close at hand from Pondicherry.
