Pondicherry

Pondicherry (or Puducherry), a French colonial settlement in India until 1954, is now a Union Territory town bounded by the southeastern Tamil Nadu state. Its French legacy is preserved in its French Quarter, with tree-lined streets, mustard-colored colonial villas and chic boutiques. A seaside promenade runs along the Bay of Bengal and passes several statues, including a 4m-high Gandhi Memorial. 

 Must visit places Stone Beach, Aurobinda Aashramam, White Town (streets are parallel), Matrimandir, Manakula Vinayagar Temple. One can cover all main points of Pondicherry on a day-trip (about 8 hours) if you have private vehicle. Two days are more than enough cover all spots leisurely. Anything more if you want to take things very slow and enjoy the city. 

 The main spoken language is Tamil; though Telugu, Malayalam, English and French are spoken by a considerable number of people. Although the majority of the population is Hindu, there are quite a number of  Christians and Muslims, whereas Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists are few in comparison. Puducherry has a special vibe, not felt anywhere else in India. It is a blend of spiritual aura, colonial heritage, Tamil culture and the cosmopolitan flair of many nationalities in a small but varied town. This inherent ambience of Pondy becomes most evident in the oldest part of the town which flanks the seashore boulevard. 

 The colonial buildings, some of which date back to the 18th century, stretch along a grid of clean straight streets which house French institutions, Hotels, Guest Houses, Restaurants, Boutiques and private homes, including the sprawling premises of the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Visitors to this area are greeted by mellow hues of cream, yellow, pink and grey compound walls interspersed by flamboyant bougainvillea bursting over gates and walls of courtyards. 

 AUROVILLE 

 Auroville - or the 'City of Dawn' - was conceived as a place of research into the ideal of human unity by the Mother, the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. The idea is to build a futuristic city where people of goodwill can live together in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. Auroville came into existence in 1968. 

 Its Charter says, "To live in Auroville one must be a willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness", and describes it as "belonging to nobody in particular, but to humanity as a whole, as a place of constant progress and as a bridge between the past and the future." Located around 8 kms north-west of Puducherry, Auroville was designed by the French architect Roger Anger. Around 2,000 people live there in settlements with names like Grace, Fraternity, Certitude and Transformation. Nearly two-thirds of the residents are non-Indians. 

 Architecturally speaking, the buildings are a combination of modern western and traditional Indian elements, set in a rural landscape of deep red earth and widespread forestation, with narrow earth roads linking the settlements. The residents are involved in agriculture, administration, commerce and handicrafts, alternative technology, education, healthcare and development projects, the latter including Aurore Systems, an international award winning unit involved in solar photovoltaic and thermal systems. The central Matrimandir, which is not a temple but a place for individual silent concentration, is set in an area of 62 acres at the centre of the emerging township, and is seen as "a symbol of the Divine's answer to man's aspiration for perfection and as an Union with the Divine manifesting in a progressive human unity." 

 During the inauguration ceremony of Auroville on 28th February 1968, soil from 124 countries was placed in a lotus-shaped urn and mixed to symbolize universal oneness. This urn is today sited at the centre of an Amphitheatre in the Matrimandir Gardens. The Matrimandir's 12-sided white marble Inner Chamber has a 70cms diameter optical-quality glass globe at its centre, onto which a shaft of sunlight is focused by way of a roof-mounted heliostat. The light falling on the globe acts as a focal aid to concentration. 

This Centre has a permanent exhibition on the history and philosophy of the project, an Information Service offering books, brochures and leaflets on various aspects of Auroville, three boutiques, a bookshop, a cafeteria providing refreshments and international cuisine. Introductory videos on the township and the Matrimandir can be seen at the Centre by request. 

 SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM 

 The Sri Aurobindo Ashram located on Rue de la Marine, is one of the most well known and wealthiest ashrams in India, with devotees from India and all over the world flocking towards it for spiritual salvation. Its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science. It is open to the public daily between 0800-1200hrs and 1400-1800hrs. Children below 3 years of age are not allowed into the Ashram and photography is allowed only with permission of the Ashram authorities. 

 The Ashram was set up in 1926 by Aurobindo Ghosh (Sri Aurobindo), one of India's greatest philosopher-poets, who originally came to Pondy to escape persecution by the British. It was after arriving in Puducherry, that he immersed into the spiritual realm and discovered the power of yoga. His philosophy was deeply rooted in yoga and his writings inspired a number of followers. One of them was a Parisian mystic, painter and musician called Mirra Alfassa, who was so inspired by his philosophy that she stayed on in Puducherry and was instrumental in establishment of the Ashram. 

After Aurobindo's death in 1950, the running of the Ashram was entrusted to his chief disciple and companion, Mirra Alfassa, (known as 'The Mother'). The idea of Auroville or the 'City of Dawn' was conceived by The Mother. She died in 1973 at the age of 93. The Ashram's influence can be felt in most of Puducherry. The main Ashram building is where the mortal remains of Aurobindo and the Mother are kept. Their 'Samadhi' or mausoleum, which is generally surrounded by supplicating devotees, is in the central courtyard under a frangipani tree and is covered daily with flowers. Some of the Ashram's facilities like the Library and the Main Building (during collective meditation) can be accessed, only after obtaining a gate pass from the Bureau Central or some of the Ashram Guest Houses. 

 Promenade Beach: 

 This is one of the popular beaches in Pondicherry along the Bay of Bengal. It is a 1.5 km long stretch between War Memorial and Dupleix Park. This is one of the top places to visit in Pondicherry. This beach is called by multiple names like rock beach due to rocks along the beach, Gandhi beach because of statue of Mahatma Gandhi and also as Promenade beach. Popularly this beach is also called Pondicherry beach because of its close proximity to the city. 

 It's a long stretch of rocky beach with benches and wide pavement for morning and evening walks. It is adjacent to Goubert Avenue, the historical section of the city which has several beautiful colonial buildings. This long stretch has statues of Jeanne d'Arc Dupleix, Mahatma Gandhi and War Memorial. There is also a 27 meter tall old Lighthouse near this place. The Hotel de Ville and Town Hall also adorn this place. 

 Paradise Beach: 

 You can take an auto from the main city to the Chunnambar boat house, which is about 7kms south of the main town. From there, you can take a ferry and take around 20-30 mins to reach the beach. The beach is extremely attractive as the sands are very clean and the water is crystal clear. The beach has shelters and palm trees for shade and protection from the sun and rain. The tides at the beach are strong at times and it is not advisable to go deeper into the sea. This beach is famed for its lovely sunbathing options and resting under the cool breeze of palm trees. This is one of the most famous Pondicherry Beaches. One can enjoy the sunset here.

Ours was one day trip with family. It was a great get together on a weekend. 

Thanks for reading!