Famous State of Puducherry in india

  By Dhananjai | September 4, 2012 | INDIAN CULTURE

History Little is known about the early history of Pondicherry prior to its settlement by foreigners – though the influence of the major South Indian kingdoms of the Cholas, Pandavas and Vijayanagar is self evident in the architecture of that period. The region’s long history of interaction with foreigners began with the Roman Empire. The cornerstone of trade with the Romans lay in the port city of Arekmedu – from where galleys laden with silk, spices, birds, animals, silver and precious stones left for Roman shores. The Portuguese were the first to arrive in Pondicherry in the 16th century followed soon after by the Danes and the French. The arrival of the French in 1673 started the transformation of Pondicherry from a small fishing village to the bastion of French rule in India and the epicentre of Indo- French trade. Though the Dutch captured Pondicherry from the French in 1693, the French regained control of the region under the Treaty of Ryswick in 1699. In 1706 Pondicherry had a population of 40,000 while the English town of Calcutta had barely 22,000. By the first decade of the 18th century, Pondicherry had grown into a thriving city with a population of 40,000. The French East India Company suffered financial losses and was forced to abandon its settlements in Surat, Masulipatnam and Bantum. As such, Pondicherry became the nerve centre for the French who concentrated on giving it a rich French character. The British in India took advantage of the decline of the French power and gained control of Pondicherry in the 1760s – they destroyed the fort and most of the French Quarter but were forced to cede the territory back to France. But by early 19th century, the British were firmly in control of most of the Indian subcontinent and little French enclaves like Pondicherry became inconsequential to the bigger picture. Pondicherry returned to the Indian Union in November 1954 when the French relinquished control. It was granted the status of Union Territory inclusive of former French settlements of Karaikal, Mahé and Yanam.

Economy Pondicherry’s main industries are agriculture, food processing, textiles and tourism. Agriculture is the traditional occupation of the state- the major crops are ragi, bajra and pulses. From virtually no industries at the time of independence to factories and plants providing livelihood to over 70.000 people, Pondicherry has come a long way. Textiles, chemicals, electronics and limestone mining are the lifeblood of the Pondy economy.

Language The indigenous population of Pondicherry is of Tamil origin but Pondicherry is home to a whole host of people from different Indian states as well as from European countries. The French influence lingers on even half a century after their departure it can be seen in the architecture and culture of Pondicherry down to the red ‘kepi’ worn by the local policemen. Many of the locals born during French rule opted for French citizenship and continue to have close ties with France sending their children there for education etc. The Aurobindo Ashram also attracts a large number of foreigners – many of whom put down roots in Pondicherry. Many people in Pondicherry are bilingual – comfortable in French as well as Tamil.

Religion Most of the people of Pondicherry are Hindus. There are a large number of Muslims and Christians. Christianity is a legacy of French colonial rule evident in the city’s cathedrals, churches and convents.

Food Pondicherry is known for its food. Naturally. The French have an ancient culinary tradition that married with local cuisines to create what one writer calls a “mosaic of culinary integration”. Pondicherry is the one place in India where one can buy bona fide French baguettes, brioches and pastries. Those apart, local restaurants specialise in good French food that is served up along side Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati and Punjabi cuisines.

Culture and Crafts With a resident population that is truly multi-national and multi-ethnic, Pondicherry’s culture is a cosmopolitan one with strong ties to the indigenous culture of the region. A direct consequence of the exposure to so much diversity has been a secular attitude that is characteristic of the native of Pondicherry. The crafts of Pondicherry are both traditional and contemporary. The former are of course those crafts that are indigenous to the area and use local materials in long-established ways. ‘Puducheri bommai’ are hand made dolls crafted from terracotta, papier-mache and plaster while ‘korai’ mats are woven from a grass found locally. The contemporary crafts of Pondicherry owe much to the ethos and philosophy of the Aurobindo Ashram. From the Ashram come such ecologically sound crafts as hand made paper, rice paper, incense sticks, candles, hand woven cotton textiles, hand embroidered and painted fabrics, crochet, macramé bags, wall hangings and mats, wooden furniture, paper lamps, perfumes, rose water, cosmetics and herbal beauty products.

Tourist info centres

The office of Pondicherry Tourist and Transport Development Corporation is at 40 Goubert Salai. It is open daily from 8:45 am to 1 pm and then again from 2 pm to 5 pm. They provide maps, tourist brochures detailing the activities in the area and also conduct sightseeing tours.

How to get there by Air The nearest airport is at Chennai which is a good 3-4 hours away by road. From there it is possible (and most convenient) to hire a taxi. To catch a bus to Pondicherry you will have to first get to Chennai city, which is 16 km from the airport.

How to get there by Rail Pondicherry is connected by rail to Chennai, Trichy and Villupuram.

How to get there by Road Pondicherry has direct bus links to many places in the state and also to Bangalore in Karnataka. The road trip from chennai takes about four hours.

Getting around The streets are very well organized in neat grid formation so it is easy to get your bearings. Walking is a good way to do the sights though bicycling would be a little less laborious. Bicycle and moped rentals are a popular transport solutions for tourists here. Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are the public transport options.

Where to Stay in Puducherry

Puducherry offers a wide choice of places to stay as the accommodation options range from deluxe to budget hotels and lodges. If you are looking for a comfortable stay at a deluxe hotel then choose to stay in The Dune, Big Beach, Promenade, Pondicherry Ashok or Le Dupleix. These hotels feature all modern amenities to make your holiday unforgettable.
The mid-range hotels in Puducherry include properties like WelcomHeritage Calve, Atithi Hotel, Annamalai International, Anandha Inn, Sunway-GRT Grand, Ajantha Sea View Hotel, Lotus Bay View Hotel, Atithi Hotel, Colonial Heritage and De Pondicherry Hotel.
There are many budget accommodations that will provide you with basic facilities and most of them have a shared-bath system. Under this category you can try Ajantha Guest House, Corbelli Hotel, Soorya International, Pondicherry Executive Inn, Jayaram Hotel, Seaside Guest House and Ruthira Residence.
You can also opt to check-in the well -known Aurobindo Ashram by the sea side. This guest house is neat with reasonable rates. The Ashram doesn’t allow smoking or drinking and you will have to report back by 10:30 at night, but since Pondicherry is anyway a Wee-Willie-Winky town, it shouldn’t hurt much.

Best Time to Visit Puducherry

October to February is the best time to visit for Pondicherry. October is beautiful just before the heaven’s open up in November when there are heavy rains. December and January are important months for the locals who celebrate Christmas and New Year with aplomb. These are also the months when activity at the Ashram increases because of the birth and death anniversaries of Shree Aurobindo and The Mother. Weather wise it is pleasant until March after which it gets hot.

Climate Pondicherry is hot and humid all year round with temperatures ranging between 26°C and 38°C. March, April, May and June are the hottest months with temperatures touching 40° C; humidity levels remain high despite hot winds blowing seawards from the mainland. Rains arrive soon after; July, August and September are pleasant mainly because the heat and humidity are relieved by the showers of the southwest monsoons. The arrival of the northeast monsoon coincides with the winter months of November, December, January and February – this the best season to visit Pondicherry with day temperatures around 30° C and pleasant cool evenings.

Things to do in Puducherry

A traveller has many fun things to do in Pondicherry, which includes a sightseeing tour to the Aurobindo Ashram in Auroville, the three beaches – Serenity, Quiet and Reppo, near the town, the French Institute with some of the rare old French books, the Botanical Gardens and the Pondicherry Museum, to name a few. Some prominent churches to see in Pondicherry are the Sacred Heart Church and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. There are also many temples around Pondicherry where one can pay their visits.
Shopping in Pondicherry is all about buying bags and footwear made out of leather. One can also find good quality batik fabrics here. Take a river cruise, or go boating, or just take a leisurely walk along the beaches for outdoor activities. One can also take a yoga class from the many yoga centres running in the state. Come to Pondicherry during the International Yoga Festival, the Festival of Pondicherry, and the Villianur Temple Car Festival and get absorbed in the merriment.