Pondicherry, a Union Territory of India,
is a quaint town lying on the East Coast Road. Aptly termed as the 'French
Riviera of the East', Pondicherry or Puducherry exudes an irresistible
French charm roping in legions of tourists and travellers from across the
globe. Though cosmopolitan in nature, the place has never lost its Tamil
roots. This oval shaped town has been established on the lines of the
Mediterranean town planning. This erstwhile stronghold of the French sets
forth an interesting mix of French and Indian culture. And the mix is so
pleasing, calm and appropriate that it comes as a huge draw for one and all.
The streets of the city are aligned nicely and the overall ambiance captures
one's imagination at the very first instant. Recent excavations at Arikamedu
also testify Roman settlements during the 2nd century BC. It also proves the
city's worth as a trading centre. And though the French arrived here in the
17th century, they left a distinctive influence that can be observed in the
bougainvillea-trimmed villas, red caps of the local police, the
confectioneries, the graffiti and signages and the monuments that dot the
landscape.
Climate
Proximity to the sea gives Pondicherry a warm and humid climate. Summer
extends from March to May and during the period the temperature ranges
between 40 degrees and 29 degrees Centigrade. During winters, from November
to February, the temperature remains between 30 degrees and 24 degrees
Centigrade. October, November and December are the monsoon months. The ideal
time to visit the place is from November to February.
Cuisine
Being a melting pot of numerous cultures, Pondicherry offers a complete
culinary experience to all. There are a variety of cuisines some of which
date back to the Mughal era. Assad (a typical fish curry) and Podanlangkai
Chutney (Pondicherrian chutney) are two most famous dishes here. Coconut and
tamarind and cumin are the chief ingredients of a dish. Besides, there are a
number of hotels and restaurants where you can have the Continental, Chinese
and South Indian delicacies. Among the South Indian dishes, you can have
idli, dosa, prawn bajji, fried fish and parota.
Sightseeing
Pondicherry offers a number of attractions for its visitors. The
Aurobondo
Ashram (Auroville) is one of the most important attractions here. The ashram
was established by Sri Aurobindo in the year 1926. Sri Aurobindo and one of
his disciples attempted to find a path to salvation through meditation and yoga.
The
Pondicherry Beach is yet another draw for tourists. A
4 meter high statue of Mahatama Gandhi and the French World War I Memorial stand
on the beach. The colonial building of French Institute makes you recollect
the colonial era. Churches dot the terrain in the town. You can visit the church
of
Our Lady of Immaculate Conception which is 300 years old.
The church of
Our Lady of Angels is known for its oil painting
gifted by Napolean III. The
Sacred Heart Church comes as a
beautiful piece of the Gothic architecture. The town also boasts some ancient
temples dating back to the Chola Period.
Vinaynagar Manakula Temple
and
Drowpattiamman are two famous temples. You can also choose
to take a leisurely stroll through the
Botanical Gardens.
The
Pondicherry Museum and the
Jawahar Toy Museum
are other popular tourist attractions
Getting There
A three hour road journey from Chennai takes you to Pondicherry. Chennai is
well linked through air and rail routes to all the key destinations of the country
and the world. A drive along the East Coast Road (ECR) proves to be a scenic
journey. You can enter Pondicherry from Bangalore too; a drive by car takes
around 10 hours. Local modes of transport include pedal cycle or motor scooter.
