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Pondicherry is a union teritory which lies within
the state of Tamil Nadu.The inherent ambience of Pondicherry becomes most
evident in the oldest part of the town which flanks the seashore
boulevard.Quiet beaches and peaceful resorts to the north and south balance
the towns bustling, yet easy going life. But Pondy hasn't only its own
special attractions to offer.
Colonial buildings which trace back to the 18th century, line along a grid
of straight clean streets and house the French institutions, private homes
and businesses, and the sprawling premises of the famous Sri Aurobindo
Ashram. The visitor is greeted by mellow colours of cream, yellow, pink and
grey with flamboyant bougainvillae bursting over gates and compound walls of
cool courtyards.
It is a perfect base to explore the rich destinations around it, even in
daily trips: Auroville, the international City of Unity; the imposing Gingee
Fort, the holy temple towns of Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Chidambaram,
the heritage sculptures and magnificent rock temples of Mamallapuram, and
the cool and lush hillstations of Yercaud and Kodaikanal.
Pondicherry is an ideal getaway if one wants to getaway from the maddening
crowds and rush of the city. Pondicherry is also famous for the Aurobindo
Ashram, an international institution that teaches the practice of yoga. This
city has always been one of the calm and quiet in comparison to other Indian
cities. Pondicherry still offers exquisite hand made papers and pottery also
one can enjoy the French flavor that has captivated this town for a long
while know. The earliest description of the city of Pondicherry can be
traced back to 2nd century B.C.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Nearest airport is situated at Chennai, located 135-km from
the city.
By Rail - Pondicherry is connected with a meter gauge link with
Chennai via Villupuram by the Pondicherry Express which is 36 km.
from the city.
By Road - Pondicherry has a good network of roads, which connects it
with most of South India.
WHEN TO GO
The Best Time to Visit Pondicherry is Between October to March.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Plage Paradiso (Paradise Beach) - At Chunnambar,
8 kms from the town, along Cuddalore Main Road, lies this stretch of
tropical paradise. Flanked h a quiet-flowing creek on one side. In fact,
you can sail downstream to the sands and pitch up a cozy seaside tent
for yourself. Overnighting within the tree-houses on the backwater banks
provides a relishing experience of the great outdoors.
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Aurobindo Ashram - The main building comprises
the houses of Shri Aurobindo and The Mother (Mirra Alfassa, a French
woman who accepted Aurobindo as her spiritual mentor and guide and later
became his most important disciple). In the courtyard are the samadhis
of Aurobindo and The Mother where their mortal remains have been
enshrined. Visitors are allowed to visit the samadhi between 8am and 6pm
everyday. The other places of interest in the Ashram complex are the
International Education Centre, guest houses, libraries and the cottage
industries.
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Karaikal Beach - Sunrise-watchers can catch
their magnificent view over the bay, with the pretty Arasalar river
reaching out to the sea. Alternatively, you can canoe or kayak in
picture-book surroundings. Have a round of beach volley ball. Or, armed
with the angling gear, you can reel in a surprise.
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Government Park - The Government Park is the
centre of old colonial part of the town and provides a cool and lush
green anchor around which most government buildings are situated: the
Lt. Governor's Palace, the Legislative Assembly, Government Hospital,
but also the Ashram Dining Room in a beautiful Villa, the Cercle de
Pondichery, which is a private club, and old Hotel Qualité.
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Jimper - This is one of the foremost medical
institutions in the country. JIPMER, which is Jawaharlal Institute of
Post-graduate Medical Education and Research, was established 20 years
ago and is one of the most prestigious institutions of its kind in the
country.
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Botanical Gardens - Just off West Boulevard, the
gardens planned by C.S. Perrotet in 1826, have a good collection of
exotic flowering plants from India and abroad. There is also an aquarium
here which has some rare species of ornamental fish.
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Pondocherry Museum - Opened in 1984, this museum
has on display some fine antiques apart from sections devoted to
archaeology, geology, sculpture, handicrafts, objects of art, printing
and armaments. Among the exhibits on display are the bed used by Dupleix,
a palanquin and a pousse-pousse which resembles a rickshaw.
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Auroville (10kms) - This city of dawn was
designed by the French architect Roger Arger and was started as an
experimental commune where people of all nationalities irrespective of
caste, creed or religion would live together in harmony. About 550
people from different countries live in the 40 settlements of Auroville.
It is advisable to hire bicycles to look around as the village is too
large to wander through on foot. Surrounded by lakes and gardens, the
sphere shaped Matri Information Centre at Promesse the first stop is
Here, a 25 hectare farm and orchard where organic agriculture has been
practised successfully.
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French Institute - Situated on Dumas street,
this internationally acclaimed institute was established by the renowned
French Indologist Dr. J. Fillozet in 1995. The institute has separate
sections on science, technology, ecology, cartography, pedagogy, Indian
languages and culture. The Romain Rolland Library has a collection of
over 60,000 books, some of which are rare French volumes. The institute
conducts research in arts and sciences and is perhaps the only permanent
link with France in Pondicherry.
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Chunnambar Water Sports Centre - Facilities for
boating are available at the Boat House on the River Chunnambar, 8 kms
from Pondicherry. The backwater and the lush greenery on both sides of
Chunnambar provide an ideal setting. Boats are available on hire on all
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WHERE TO EAT
There few good restaurants in town.
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