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

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.

Excursions

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.

Excursions for Pondicherry

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

The ashram was founded in 1920 when Sri Aurobindo reached Pondicherry, a French colony and put in place his ideas of peaceful community. The ashram for long was run by his French companion Mirra Alfassa, universally known as the Mother. Each member of the Ashram is free to mediate the way he or she prefers; there are no rituals, obligatory practices, and systematic instruction. The ashram is a diversified community with more than 1,200 members out of which 400 are the students of the Centre of Education. To support the administrative system of the ashram, it has various departments to look after basic needs of the members. In addition, there are farms and gardens, printing press, libraries, and a number of small-scale industries. The ashram houses the samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the mother. It is open to everyone for fixed hours everyday.

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 centre 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 beachfront are located many sites such as a statue of Mahatma Gandhi surrounded by eight exquisitely carved monolithic pillars and a war memorial.

Bharti & Bharthidasan Memorial Museum

Bharti Museum is located at Eswaran Koil Street, the place where the legendary Tamil poet lived after arriving here in 1908 in search of refuge. Bharthidasan Memorial Museum is situated at Perumal Koil Street where Kanakasubburatnam, a disciple of Bharti, lived. He changed his name to Bharthidasan, meaning the disciple of Bharti, and his home is now the second important place of literary pilgrimage in Pondicherry.

Church Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

Built in the Gothic style, this massive church is one of the most beautiful churches in Pondicherry.

Auroville

Situated just across the border in the state of Tamil Nadu, Auroville, about 10 km away from Pondicherry, is a unique experience in itself. The place, also known as ’City of Dawn,’ was founded in 1968 as a tribute to Sri Aurobindo. It is a lush green cover created over 25 years by sheer hard work and dedication. The place is spread over 50 sq. km and has a population of over 900. The Mata Mandir situated in the centre of the town is the spiritual centre with a 30-metre-high globe with lotus-shaped foundation urn

Chidambaram

Chidambaram is a temple town situated in Tamil Nadu around 58 km off Pondicherry. The place is famous for its temple complex where the renowned Nataraja Temple is housed. Every year during Mahashivratri in February/March, the temple celebrates the Natyanjali Dance Festival.

Thiruvannamalai

Thiruvannamalai, situated around 107 km from Pondicherry, is home to the Arunachaleshwara Temple, which is one of the most important Shaivite temples in South India. The ashram of the famous saint Sri Ramanna Maharshi is situated at a distance of 3 km from the temple.

Fact File

Area: 19.54 sq. km

Population:203,065

Altitude:Sea level

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Languages:Tamil, French, English

STD Code: 0413