Pondicherry - A place of Historic, French Era influence, Multi-culture, Colorful markets, An Inviting beaches, Spiritualism & Adventures....Perfetto :)
I love the places have incredible history and nature. Charming, peaceful and beautiful places makes extraordinary despite of the activity in city lanes of Pondicherry. An ideal shopping mania for a lot with low cost ;). The grandeur and symbolic of human relations represented by Auroville ashram. Incredible Lord Ganesha temple, Simple and smiling encounters by locals, Great foods, adorable Elephant blessings, A blissful boat drive and many more in Pondicherry drags you there and gives you a fabulous experience.
I would like to share few moments with my friends, some times words could be used exactly what we want to share with our best friends. Since, this is one of trips, I got some friends into my life and made the trip very special, delightful and surprise the whole time in Pondicherry.
it was group of 13 girls, our introduction started at train while playing cards. we reached Chennai station by 7 AM, few of us were hungry and we are waiting for out transit to Pondicherry, at 7.30 our vehicle has arrived got into mini bus and asked driver to stop for breakfast, it was saravana bhavan which is famous in Chennai, we have ordered and had yum yum breakfast, what you think we were doing after filling stomach with yummy breakfast, obvious we were started singing songs and cracking jokes, do not forget its a girls trip ;)
we reached Pondi around 2 PM, checked into hotel and got freshen up, time to explore and time to fill stomachs after a long hours of journey, it was 4.30, we just had snacks, it was 5.30 by the time we finish our snacks. we were rocking at the beach and most of the people were staring at us. how can we complete our day without a selfie, we have rest for the after having a good dinner. The clubs, food, beaches, Auroville, street shopping, the beach looks pretty wonderful at night. best part is cycling in auroville.
Times gone by Pondicherry
Pondicherry (former name/Historically known) formed in 1963, now called as Puducherry since 2006. It is a Union territory; formed by four territories (enclaves), viz. Puducherry, Yanam, Karaikal and Mahe, the name Puducherry got itself by the largest territory Puducherry. Let’s call it as Pondicherry since, we are habituated or snooped into our ears as this name. Lies on southern part of Indian Peninsula, Puducherry and Karaikal bound with Tamilnadu, and Yanam and Mahe are bound with Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
It is one of the most popular and 3rd most densely populated Union Territory. The number of languages spoken here are 5: Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, French and English. See isn’t interesting and curious why these qualities are here. Of course, may be some of you guys might have idea how it was and how it is now. You know, it would be nice to recollect the history (Since all we know that History keeps us alive and special). I always have a curiosity to know the antique importance of a place I visit and that’s how you realize the present living day by the impact of history on us. So, lets dig into this place a little more ANDIAMO ragazzi e ragazze (Let’s go boys and girls)…..
Tradition and Culture @ Pondicherry
Pondicherry, the present culture, everyday life seen here is highly influenced by French colonization until 1954, back from 1674. So, thereby the French legacy is highly preserved here, like tree-lined streets, mustard-colored colonial villas, Chic boutiques. That’s why you see French speaking still there. A sea side promenade (Boulevard or walkway), many statues passing through the away, along with 4m Mahatma Gandhi memorial statue, A long walk over here in the morning is simply superb. People visit here for many reasons, but I am here to relax and enjoy with the essence of history and nature.
Festivals celebrated here: Fire-walk festival, Sedal and Mascarade festival. Major crops: Paddy, Pulses, coconut, acranuts and spices. Factoids: Mahe is also known as Mayyazhi or the 'sea's eyebrow. The ancient town of Arikamedu traded pottery, beads, precious stones and textiles with the Romans in exchange for wine, olive oil and fish sauce.
Da Vero divertimento (Real Fun): Tourist attractions
Guys let’s get into our real fun, the main tourist attractions over here. I Just mentioned about many cultures, effect of French history, So, some people here still speak French and English with French accents and situated along sea side, lined trees, wide highways, seafront stroll, stunning beaches, architectures, places with religious importance and many more makes this place of visit of interest once in a life. Hotels, restaurants and ‘lifestyle’ shops sell a charming image of the French-subcontinental artistic, extravagant by Gallic creative types whose residence has, in turn, drew Indian artists and designers.
The main attractions
Pondicherry Beach, Raj Niwas, Promenade, Museum, Park Monument (Aayi Mandapam), French War Memorial, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Bharati Government Park, Chunnambar Boathouse, Botanical Garden. All of them are situated with in 10kms in Pondicherry. Thereby makes you easy to visit the places. I just put words of some beautiful places over here which had more impact on me.
Pondicherry Beach
This beach is like heaven for all who visit and love to being spend time at beaches. It is lined by a flowing arroyo on one side and, this place is also known for its tree houses, which are located on the backwaters. The beach is a low-priced one in South India, cheaper to access in accommodation here and is less as compared to other places in India, The coastline is also known for a range of activities including cruises in the backwaters, trekking, beach volleyball, chess, picnic, themed events, table tennis, and catamaran rides for travelers. All these activities along with the beautiful surroundings, waters and golden sands, makes this beach perfect and excellent for a holiday.
The Promenade (Walking way)
It is also known as the Goubert Avenue. It is one of the best places to visit in Pondicherry. This place designed in a French style, it has boulevards and swaying palm trees all over around. Those who love beautiful red mornings with fresh air, nature sounds, and sea waves, the seafront is best to gaze. I am great lover of walking around places like these, you can go for morning walk, with calm, peace and feeling the tranquil nature of the surroundings. It is also a great place to socialize more with local people and morning walkers. Another best thing here trying a TEA OR COFFEE over the stalls here, as for me I would die to have a TEA OR COFFEE at that moment of instant. You can just sit there and enjoy the sea waves, morning mist, and excellent breezes, will give you a fantastic mind relaxing experience. OLA. I love to do shopping and if I ever get chance I extremely happy to lose myself in this kind of place. It is also known for its lively and busy bazaars in the evening. If you love the bustle (Activity, movement, and noise), then evening is the best time to visit. But if you like serenity (tranquility, peacefulness and calmness), make sure you visit it during the morning hours.
The experiences and connection with nature have the ability to rejuvenate your mind...
There is no greater wealth in this world than a P E A C E of M I N D....
It's free in Nature's kingdom of heaven....
Chunnambar River
It is widely popular for its backwaters, which offers travelers an opportunity to enjoy with a eat al fresco with their families, children and friends. Among all the tourist places, visiting this boathouse not only allows to stay in a comfy manner, but also ensures that travelers enjoy the trip of a lifetime amongst nature and greenery as a memorable time. The boathouses here are driven by the crew and oarsmen in the River. They have one, two or three rooms along with sundeck, balcony areas and other facilities make sure you stay in a relaxed manner. Apart from boathouses, the river also has a water sports center, where travelers can enjoy a wide variety of entertaining activities.
Auroville
A truly visiting unique and best experience, designed by popular architect Roger Anger, is a purposefully planned, experimental township that aims to develop India through the idea of peaceful co-existence. It is located close to Pondicherry is often referred to as the ‘City of Dawn’ and is named after Sri Aurobindo. It is the best place for knowing about India and its spirituality. The importance of this is to bring progressive harmony aims to transcend creed, culture, politics and nationalities. The slogan or saying for this place is to ensure that people master in divine perfection and discovery meaning of their existence through peaceful living with one another. A large architectural marvel called Matrimandir (is a middle point and very popular), which has 56 kg of gold on its dome along with golden mounts. The building, glows in sunlight, is widely considered as a indication of peace, serenity and tranquility.
Manakula Vinayagar Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha (built in before 1666 AD), indicates its existence before the French. This temple is a symbolic to remind how Indian culture and heritage didn’t fade away even after years of French colonization. Several attempts were made to destroy the temple, but always protected, through protests and threat of Maratha invasion. This place of worship has different names and types of Lord Ganesha and several scholars have documented about this temple. This temple is respected for its beauty and architecture. It is also known for a saint, Thollaikkathu Siddhar, 6 feet tall with broad forehead and blissful eyes. He is said to have attained enlightenment from this temple and later sacrificed his body here. People bring new born children here to receive blessings. The shrine here is well-known as Golden chariot (Made through donations by devotees: 7.5 kg of gold). The chariot was first run a grand ceremony on 5th October 2003. Now, it runs once every year on Dusherra festival. Many places are there to be seen like parks, botanical gardens and french historical places etc., If you get time, being there will be a nice experience..
In the end, a wonderful place to visit and feel many things is about Pondicherry. It creates vibrations like revisiting for next time. Meditation room inside center of the Matrimandir is an awesome place and at Aurobindo ashram people are motivated to find meaning of their life. French dairies and artifacts existence over the years, along the present cultures makes this place very peculiar. Insights into their lives, shopping galleries, and Yummy French cousins are marvelous, and not to be missed. Friends get some time to visit this place to explore and cherish all from history to present.
Travel as much as you can, As long as you can, and As far as you can :)
Arrivederci (See you soon) Amigos with a new story to reveal many surprises and beauty of nature. Many thanks, and have nice time till then.. :) ;)
S i n d h u :)
