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Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) is a Union Territory
of India. It is a former French colony, consisting of
four non-contiguous enclaves, or districts, and named
for the largest, Pondicherry.
In September 2006, the territory changed its official
name from Pondicherry to the vernacular original,
Puducherry, which means "New village" in the Tamil
language. The territory is called Puducherry in Tamil,,
or "Pondichéry" in French. It is also known as The
French Riviera of the East.
Pondicherry traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, the
revered sage of the south. The excavations near
Pondicherry reveal, that a Roman settlement existed
here, 2000 years ago. It was also the site of many a
battle between the British and the French, and was the
capital of French India, before it attained its
independence.
This restored, attractive, former French colony, exudes
a Mediterranean aura with its chic streets, elegant
houses, ornamental gardens and the Hotel de Ville. Being
a small and quiet enclave of Tamil Nadu, it has imbibed
the Tamilian culture. Apart from the charming
atmosphere, excellent restaurants and cheap beer, what
attracts most travellers to Pondicherry is the Sri
Aurobindo Ashram and its offshoot, Auroville, 10 km
outside town. The ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo in
the year 1926, has brought international reputation to
this coastal town. The ashram, the spiritual tenets of
which combine yoga and modern science is quite popular
within India and abroad.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram :
Sri Aurobindo Ashram :
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