Pondicherry

Pondicherry French Colny Part3 | Pondicherry Tourism

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• published: 23 Feb 2016
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Away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, Pondicherry is a quiet little town on the southern coast of India. The unmistakable French connection, the tree lined boulevards, the quaint colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual sceneries, the endless stretches of unspoilt virgin beaches and backwaters and a surprising choice of restaurants serving a melange of cuisines provide a heady mix of experience that draws travellers from near and far to the city. It is the perfect place to come if you want to take the pace of life down a few notches. PROFILE The Union Territory of Pondicherry comprises of four coastal regions namely Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Pondicherry and Karaikal are situated on the East Coast of Tamil Nadu, Yanam in Andhra Pradesh and Mahe on the West Coast in Kerala. The city of Pondicherry is the Capital of this Union Territory. It lies on the east coast about 162 kms south of Chennai (Madras) located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. There are no hills or forests in this region. The major soil types found here are red ferralitic, black clay and coastal alluvial. 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. Pondicherry is fast becoming a favourite shopping destination of the southern metropolitan cities. It is easy on your purse with low or no taxes. Although it is known for its traditional doll-making, textiles and silks, it is also the birthplace of several world class brands in leather, pottery, aromatics, fashion and handmade paper. These excellent products have become renowned solely on the merit of their superb quality. A new trend is the proliferation of exquisite decor boutiques and export-quality antique furniture galleries. However, as you shall see, the Pondy Experience is considerably more than any of these unique and cloistered aspects. It is an experience that captivates all kinds of visitors - from those who want to take in the sites or shop, eat and stay, on their own terms. The nickname "Pondy" sums up this shared feeling of belonging and having come home. 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. Pondicherry, as many people feel, has a distinct spiritual vibration. Stories of resident sages come down throughout its history from the earliest days. Pondicherry has a special vibe, not felt anywhere else in India.