Tourist Destination and Experiences of Pondicherry
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| ROCK Beach, pondichérry |
Tourism in Pondicherry :
Pondicherry is a Union Territory of India formed out of four exclaves of former French India, namely Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe. It is named after the largest district Pondicherry. With the rather ubiquitous presence of all things French here, Pondicherry is also known as "La Côte d'Azur de l'Est", translating to the French Riviera of the East.
Pondicherry, the capital of the Territory was once the original headquarters of the French in India is situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.
The food here is a quirky culmination of the spices of the South India and the culinary sensibilities of French and Italian.
Upholding the rich cultural ancestry and traditional heritage of the region, the districts of Pondicherry reflects the glorious past through its splendid architectural monuments, unique cultural traits, and enriched social customs.Pondicherry Ethnic Wear :
· The neighbouring states have a strong influence on the traditional wear of the regions.
· The traditional wear of women Generally includes Sarees and that of men include Shirt and Lungi.
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| White Town, Pondichérry |
Pondicherry Music and Dance
The music and dance forms of Pondicherry are immensely influenced by the rich heritage of the Tamil tradition. Here the classical form of music of South India is celebrated and kept alive with much enthusiasm.
The Bhairavi is a Carnatic music circle in Pondicherry. They organize performances of Carnatic music every month. It is functioning for the last 22 years. They arrange for both instrumental as well as vocal performances.
The Chidambaram Nalyanjal Festival is celebrated here every year. Performers from various corners of the country gather to perform in and affend this prestigious festival. The festival was test initiated by Kapila Valsayan and Nagaswamy in the year of 1981.
Pondicherry Handicrafts and Handloom :
Although Pondicherry is known for its traditional doll-making, textiles, and silks, it is also the birthplace of several worlds class brands in leather, pottery, aromatics, fashion, and handmade paper. A new trend is the proliferation of exquisite decor boutiques and export-quality antique furniture galleries.
The UT has a strong base of weavers and artisans. Cotton textiles and garments manufactured in the mills at Pondicherry are also exported to many foreign countries
· Handmade Paper
· Korai Mats
· Pondicherry Bommai
· Villianur Terracotta Works (G.I. Tag)
· Handloom items
Pondicherry Fairs and Festivals :
The diversity of Pondicherry is reflected in the festivals celebrated here. Pondicherry has a population that is a harmonious mix of different religions. Thus, the fairs and festivals in Pondicherry are also centered around their presiding deity.
· Fete de Pondicherry
· Masimagam
· International Yoga Festival
· Fire Walking Festival
· Car Festival
· Bastille Day French Food Festival
· Pongal
· Onam
· Krishna Jayanti
Pondicherry Flora and Fauna
The Forest Cover in the UT is 52.41 sq km which is 10.70% of the UT's geographical area.
The forests in Pondicherry generally belong to the Type Group 'Littoral & Swamp Forests'.
The Ousteri Wildlife Sanctuary is Pondicherry's most significant wildlife haven. Over 160 species of birds, both aquatic and terrestrial, have been observed in the area.
The seasonal Bahour Lake, a freshwater wetland, is also an important area for birds.
A variety of corals, fishes, and crustaceans are just a few of the marine species found in the coastal waters of Pondicherry. Olive Ridley turtles have nesting spots in several places along the coast, including the Karaikal region.
Pondicherry Food and Cuisine :
Coastal cuisine and French cuisine are common and popular in all the four regions of Pondicherry.
Pondicherry's rich historical heritage and diverse contemporary culture is reflected in its cuisine. Cuisine from the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu (in Pondicherry & Karaikal), Kamataka, Andhra Pradesh (in Yanam), and Kerala (in Mahe) exert their Influences.
· Kadugu verra
· Seafood
· Desserts
· Italian food
· Steaks
· Idli
· Veda
· Dosa
· Curried Vegetables
· Baguettes and Croissants
Destination Pondicherry :
French Riviera of the East
A popular weekend getaway, Pondicherry, or Pondy as it is colloquially known, observes an influx of travelers, majorly from Chennai and Bengaluru, during the holiday season.
Pondicherry is largely associated with Sri Aurobindo and his teachings, and Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a popular spiritual retreat. Auroville, the international City of Unity, is located around 8 km north-west of Pondicherry. Auroville is a universal township founded by Mother Mirra in 1968.
Pondicherry is home to colonial structures. seafront promenades, spiritual havens, tree-lined boulevards, unexplored and pristine beaches, and enchanting backwaters.
Places In and around Pondicherry
Heritage :
· Arikamedu: The ancient Roman trade center of Ankamedu used as a port to trade with Greco Romans and Romans dates back to the second century BC.
· White Town: The French Quarter, also known as White Town, is characterized by bright yellow and white buildings.
· Sri Aurobindo: Ashram A spiritual retreat associated with the life of Sri Aurobindo and Mother Mirra.
· Romain Rolland Library One of the oldest libraries In the country.
· Jawahar Toy Museum
· Thiruvakkarai (25 km): Home to the country's first National Fossil Wood Park.
· Karaikal (130 km): its rich architecture boasts a trademark Chola style and is believed to be the hub of the Chola kingdom.
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| Auroville, Pondichérry |
Spiritual
Top Spiritual attractions Include
· Basilica Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus Church Built by the French missionaries, it is a stellar example of Gothic architecture.
· Manakula Vinayagar Temple: A 500 years old dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
· Matrimandir : Located in Auroville, Matrimandir is a brilliant golden dome surrounded by green lawns, where visitors can meditate and introspect in silent concentration.
· Mailam (30 km): Famous for a hill-top temple dedicated to Lord Muruga.
Nature
· Bharathi Government Park: The green lung of the city, Bharathi Government Park is popular for the Aayi Mandapam monument and is situated in the old colonial town.
· Botanical Gardens: Home to over 1,500 species of plants was laid out in ornate French style.
Adventure
Scuba Diving: Aquamarine waters, an abundance of marine life and warm temperatures of the East Coast make Pondicherry an excellent choice for scuba diving.
· Surfing
· Kayaking
· canoeing
Pondicherry Connectivity
BY AIR :
The closest international airport is in Chennai, around 135 km from Pondicherry. Chennai has excellent connections with all major cities in India and direct connection to Europe, USA, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Bangalore (320 km) and Trichy (220 km) are the other nearby airports.
BY ROAD :
Pondicherry is well connected to all districts and major towns of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. There are frequent buses from Chennai.
BY RAIL :
Villupuram is the nearest railway junction, well-connected to Chennai, Madurai and Trichy.