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Pondicherry
[ Edit ] Overview
Pondicherry includes four disconnected districts. They are Pondicherry, Karaikal, and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahe on the Arabian Sea. A former French colony it become part of the India Union in 1954 and was granted the status of Union Territory. Pondicherry is now known as Pudhucherry.
Pondicherry’s history goes back to 2nd century AD. The French ruled Pondicherry for 300 years and therefore there is a tremendous French influence in Pondicherry. The French came here in 1673, after the Portuguese and the Danes. They transformed the city from a simple fishing village to the centre of Indo-French trade.
The city is divided into 2 sections, the French quarter and the Indian quarter. There are many streets which even today have French names and it very common to see typical French villas here. French is commonly spoken in Pondicherry.
[ Edit ] History
Quick Facts
[ Edit ] State
Pondicherry (Union Territory)
[ Edit ] Location
South west of Chennai on the Coromandel Coast
[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit
September-March
[ Edit ] Tourist Offices
Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation Limited. 40, Goubert Avenue, Pondicherry 605 000
[ Edit ] STD Code
0413
Sightseeing
[ Edit ] Aayi Mandapam (Water Monument)
Aayi Mandapam lies in the middle of Bharathi Park, opposite Raj Niwas (the Governor's House). Built in the 16th century under the reign of Napoleon III, thismonument has a rich history behind it.
King Krishna Rayar and his minister Appaji Iyer set out from Rayavellore for a routine inspection of the southern part of his kingdom at Villvanallur. Having heard that there was one Uyyakonda Viswaraya Mudaliar at Uzhavarakarai with a great outgrowth on his body & hair on the soles of his feet, they went to see him. When they returned at dusk via Muthirapalayam, they noticed a fragrant scent and lighted lamps from a mansion that belonged to a courtesan named Ayii. Thinking this was a temple, they worshippped it with folded hands. However, when some onlookers informed them that this was the house of a courtesan, they were struck by remorse and anger. The King then decreed that the mansion be destroyed. On hearing this, Ayii lay prostrate at the King's feet and obtained permission to construct a water tank from her own earnings, and then got the tank made to supply water to the city. Since then, it is called Aayi Mandapam or Aayi's tank.
When the emperor Napoleon III got to know of this history, he created a monument to commemorate Aayi's contribution. The monument is built in Greco-Roman architectural style, in pure white color. It is especially beautiful to look at in the evenings, when it is illuminated.
The Aayi Mandapam is now the emblem of the Government of Pondicherry, and was previously also known as La Place du Panthéon.
[ Edit ] Auroville
10 km north of Pondicherry town is Auroville, wherein people from different countries and different walks of life and faith come together. Auroville came into being in 1968 under the guidance of the Mother, who was a devotee and disciple of Sri Aurobindo. more
[ Edit ] Chunnambar Resort
Known for its pristine beaches and backwaters, Chunnambar is the place for people who enjoy water sports.
[ Edit ] Eglise de Sacre Coeur De Jesus
Situated on the South Boulevard (Subbayah Salai) opposite the Railway Station, the Eglise de Sacre Coeur De Jesus, or the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was built in the 1700s by the French missionaries.
The church is built in Gothic style, with an impressive brown & white facade, twin spires, rose windows and beautiful stained glass panes. The stained glass panes depict significant events from Jesus's life, and are a key attraction of the church. While some of these panes have got damaged over time, for the most part, they are still intact.
The interior of the church, though, is interestingly a mix of French and South Indian styles of architecture, with prominent use of terracotta alongside the stained glass panes. The church also features sculptures depicting the crucifiction, among other events from Jesus's life. Another example of the South Indian touch is the statue of Madonna, which is draped in a blue saree.
The church also has statues of 4 saints at the entry, with description of each saint at the base of the statue.
The church is open 7 days a week, and entry is free to all. Mass is held at 6.15pm every evening and is worth attending on a Sunday.
[ Edit ] Mansion of Ananda
The mansion was built in 1773 by Ananda Rangapillai, the courtier of the then governor Joseph Francois Dupleix. This mansion is an example of Indo-French architecture.
[ Edit ] Pondicherry Museum
Here, you can see the findings of Arikamedu. There are chola bronzes and sculptures, apart from specimens of modern and traditional handicraft. You can also see the French heritage, paintings, armories and carvings.
[ Edit ] Villaiayanur
9.5 km from Pondicherry is the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswarar Temple. There is a ten day annual festival held here in May and June which attracts a lot of people.
Planning a Trip
Getting There
[ Edit ] Air
Chennai is the closest airport, about 135 km from Pondicherry.
[ Edit ] Rail
You can reach here from Villupuram, which is 36 km. The train here connects to Chennai and Madurai or Trivandrum. You can also take a train from Bangalore to Cuddalore.
[ Edit ] Road
There are frequent buses from Chennai to Pondicherry. You can take the ECR route or reach via Dindivanam. There are plenty of buses running from Bangalore as well.
Driving distances to Pondicherry from:
- Auroville: 10 kms
- Bangalore: 299 kms
- Chennai: 162 kms
- Chidambaram: 77 kms
- Kodaikanal: 263 kms
- Madurai: 325 kms
- Mahabalipuram: 132 kms
- Thanjavur: 177 kms
- Trichy: 196 kms
[ Edit ] Getting Around
The best way to get around Pondicherry is to hire a bicycle or a motorbike. A motorbike is recommended if you wish to travel out of Pondicherry to Auroville or Chunambar. Else, a bicycle is good enough to move within Pondicherry, as it is a small, well-planned town.
Motorbikes & bicycles are available on rent from small shops throughout the town, or your hotel/guest house can arrange for them. Average rental is Rs. 200 per day for Enfield Bullet motorbikes, Rs. 150 for a standard geared motorbike (Splendor/Passion), Rs. 100 for a gearless scooter (Scooty/Activa) and Rs. 30 for bicycles. The rental shops will ask for a security deposit (typically Rs. 500) and a copy of your driving licence.
Autorickshaws are also available for travelling within Pondicherry. Some bargaining may be required, as they usually tend to overcharge tourists.
[ Edit ] Other Information
You can choose to stay at the Auroville which has some decent and neat and reasonably priced accommodation.
[ Edit ] Shopping
You can buy Khadi clothes and things made of cotton as they are much cheaper here. Pondicherry does not have octroi-tax and the sales tax here is much lesser, so most purchases become quite reasonable. You can also buy leather, pottery, and hand made paper from here.
[ Edit ] Food
Pondicherry has some really good restaurants that serve authentic French food. Beer is relatively cheap here. There is also plenty of choice when it comes to vegetarian, Indian and Chinese cuisines.
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