Pondicherry (or
Puducheri) means ’the new settlement’. It was
a French settlement comprising of Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam
besides Pondicherry. A unique thing about Pondicherry is
that it spreads into several states. While Karaikal is in
Tamil Nadu, Mahe is in Kerala, and Yanam is a part of Andhra
Pradesh. Situated around 200 kilometres south of Chennai,
Pondicherry is today a union territory where the French connection
on the architecture and culture of the place is strongly
visible—a result of the centuries-old relation with
the French power. However, the fame of Pondicherry lies not
in its French connection but its relation with the saint-philosopher
Aurobindo Ghosh who founded his ashram here. Sri Aurobindo
was a political revolutionary who reached Pondicherry in
1920 and established a place for peaceful and harmonious
living. Today the ashram is home to nationals from every
part of the world who come here to find peace and solitude.
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.
Sightseeing :
Places to visit in destination - Pondicherry
More than anything
else, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where Sri
Aurobindo and the Mother lived for the most parts of their
lives, attracts tourists to this little city. The
Pondicherry Museum is home to some of the most exquisite
collections on architecture and sculpture. Pondicherry also
has a pleasant beach alongside promenade and historical monuments.
Some of the other interesting sites include the Bharti
and Bharthidasan Memorial museums and the Church
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pondicherry
is the part of a region rich in architectural and cultural
wealth. The grand temples of this region are a matter of
great pride. Auroville was established as
a tribute to Sri Aurobindo. Chidambaram is
a temple town in Tamil Nadu famous for its temple of Nataraja,
the dancing form of Lord Shiva. Thiruvannamalai is
also an important pilgrimage site for the Shaivites from
across South India who visit it to pay their reverence at
Arunachaleshwara Temple.
A classic journey through the warm scented lands of South India. The south is a cross road of many temples, palaces, museums and churches. This tour gives a real picture of the traditional India.
South India is a sprawling region that comes packed with overwhelming depths of culture, religion, festival and food. Where Mahabalipuram is famous for its beautiful beaches, South India is host to the most historic Indian temples such as the great Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. Enjoy your journey to South India, an amalgam of enriching sights, sounds and experiences.
