Pondicherry

Pondicherry, covering a part of Tamil Nadu and enjoying the status of being the Union Territory, has a lot to delineate in the form of architectural design which has its associations with the French colonial rule. In Pondicherry or we can also say Puducherry, most of the alleys can still be found with their names given by French.

Before the arrival of colonists including the Portuguese, the Dutch and majorly the French, Puducherry was not more than a rural area or a village that gave way to the activity of fishing. Pondicherry’s existence is well associated with the 1st millennium because Arikamedu excavations prove that it belongs to that time period. It is believed that Pondicherry was afterwards ruled by the Pallawas, the Cholas as wellas the Pandyas.

Another thing that relates Pondicherry with colonialism is pottery, dyed textiles as well as half precious stones that come under the commercial exchange with Romans.

• Shop at the renowned Casablanca or Nilgiris.
• Explore the Ramanas Art Gallery or the Versailles or Art Antique.
• Sit underneath the natural surroundings of the Pondicherry Botanical Garden.
• Visit the Bharati Park.

As you make your way in and around Puducherry, you witness the beautiful city of Auroville that received encouragement and influence from the spiritual lessons imparted by Shri Aurobindo. You also have the heavenly backwaters of Chunnambar where you can experience the splendor of nature in full swing. Sailing, swimming or resting under the man-made tents constitute the activities that can be tried out at Chunnambar.

Among the beaches, you have the Serenity Beach, in the proximity of Mudaliyar Chavedi. As you reach there and stay there for some time, you get to discover that it is a nirvana for any tourist. In addition to this beach, you have the Karaikal Beach as well as the Paradise Beach where you come very close to nature and feel the joy of having a holiday in Pondicherry.