The word ‘Pondicherry’ derived from the Tamil word ‘Puducherry’ which means ‘New Village’. It is also called ‘The French Riviera of the East’, as it was a French Colony right from the year 1674 to 1954 .
French Influence
As it has been a French Colony for a long period from 1674 to 1954, save and except from 1693 to 1699 when it was occupied by Dutch and from 1760 to 1765 when it was under the control of Britain, the French influence could be seen in every aspect of life right from culture, style of construction of buildings, cleanliness, etc.
Tourist Attractions
Promenade Street, Auroville Beach, Auroville Monastery, etc, are the Main Tourist Attractions of Pondi.
Promenade Street is the most favourite street of tourists. It is a 1.5 kms long street along the Pondicherry Beach or Rock Beach. It houses the landmarks of the Statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Joan of Arc,.etc, as also Light House.
Pondicherry Beach offers tremendous opportunities for jogging, walking, cycling, sitting on the rocks to enjoy the spectacular sun-rise, etc.
Auroville Beach
Auroville Beach is one of the cleanliest beaches of India. Its water is shallow and as such it is a paradise for swimmers. It is totally isolated from the town due to its narrow path and as such no vehicles could be plied. To reach over here hence you would have to pass through a narrow path full of bushes. Because of its typical characteristic of isolation and difficulties to move about it is not a crowded beach and thanks to the same it is a virgin beach.
Auroville Monastery
Auroville Monastery is a renowned center of spirituality. It is mainly occupied by foreigners. People from different parts of the world have made it their abode for divine and spiritual purposes. It has a Meditation Center called Matri Mandir or Temple of the Mother. It is closed on afternoons of every Sunday. Its Boutique d’Auroville is a Shopping Center which offers various handicraft products, scented candles, incense sticks, lampshades made from recycled paper, colourful ornaments, etc.
The Best Time To Visit
September to March
How To Reach
By Air
The Nearest Airport is Chennai, 135 kms
By Rail
Pondicherry is connected to Villupuram by rail, 36 kms, which connects to Chennai, Madurai, Trivandrum, etc.
Trains to and from Pondicherry are slow and very few.
By Road
The Best Option is Chennai 150 kms by taxi or by bus.
Buses depart from Tamil Nadu State Express Bus Stand of Chennai, which is also called Thiruvalluvur Bus Stand located at Parry’s Corner on regular basis. The bus would take about four hours to reach Pondicherry Bus Stand.
Copyright © 2017 by Davis Akkara
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