The Indian culture does not talk about a single culture rather it’s a melting pot of diverse cultures. Apart from the cultures that originated and evolved in India, few found their routes to this golden land. The advent of Europeans at the end of the 15th century led to a new cultural impression on the Indian subcontinent. With time their way of life integrated with the Indian culture, and one could see its reflection even after the Indian independence.
Though British architecture is seen in a majority of places in India due to their evident rule for almost 200 years, even the other Europeans were not behind in leaving a dash of their heritage in India. While one could see Portuguese touch in Goa situated on the west coast of India, we have a French vibe to experience on the east coast of India. The place in India where this French vibe is prominent is none other than, Puducherry. Earlier known as Pondicherry, Puducherry is a celebrated destination amongst wanderlusts.
Puducherry is surrounded by Tamil Nadu and the boundaries are so fluid that you can observe a touch of Tamilian culture in this union territory. The gorgeous French architecture, vibrant café culture, serene beaches, dense forests, spirituality centres, earthly surroundings, etc., constitute the spell-bounding beauty of Puducherry. Let’s dive into the alluring beauty of Puducherry by looking at the various places that this union territory has.
Places to visit in Puducherry
- White town- French architecture is widely observed here. The colour theme and the quirkiness seen around the streets are quite mood-refreshing. The yellow-coloured structures with bougainvillea give summer vibes. Cleanliness around the roads, planned structures, and a peaceful and cosy environment make it a perfect travel destination to chill and relax. You can even get a rented scooter or cycle and explore the area at your own pace.
- Beaches- Whenever we hear the term ‘beach’, Goa comes automatically to our minds but let me tell you, Puducherry is not behind. Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, Puducherry is known for its numerous beaches. One of the famous beaches in Puducherry is the Eden Beach. Its popularity rose exponentially after it was labelled as the first ‘Blue Flag’ beach in India. Tagging a beach as ‘Blue Flag’ beach assures its cleanliness and quality standards, the same goes for Eden Beach. Apart from Eden Beach, the other beaches where you could stroll are- Promenade Beach, Paradise Beach, etc. At such beaches, you could truly enjoy the scintillating views of sunrise and sunset.
- Chunnambar Boat House- Boat houses pleasure living on the water. The Chunnambar Boat House is a soothing ride that takes you to the other side of the horizon, which is Paradise Beach. The playful dolphins are a treat for your eyes.
- Auroville- The idea of ‘unity in diversity’ was fructified in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, also known as “The Mother”. Almost 2500 people from 50 countries have settled in this natural-cum-spiritual town. This calming city developed around nature leading to the complete rejuvenation of mind, body, and soul. Auroville proudly shows what human unity truly means. It is beyond regions, religions, nationalities, etc.
Matrimandir is a key attraction in Auroville. This circular shaped structure is coated with gold thus, known as the golden globe of Pondicherry. Certain criteria need to be met before entering this majestic structure but, one is free to walk outside Matrimandir. The surrounding beauty of this architectural marvel is equally mesmerizing and you can spend some quality time with nature.
- Café culture- One of the first words that come to our mind when we talk about French is its cuisine. French cuisine is beautifully served in cafes and one could see numerous such cafes when you visit France. Similar replication of this could be seen in Puducherry, a former French colony. Puducherry is replete with aesthetic cafes where you can spend time observing and appreciating its construction. To your surprise, several erstwhile French houses have been converted into cafes thus, giving a clear insight into the French lifestyle.
- Aurobindo Ashram- You would think a place like Puducherry which is full of vibrancy would barely experience spirituality. But, this is not the case. There is a grey-coloured structure known as Aurobindo Ashram, situated at a prominent place in Puducherry where people from all walks of life stand in long queues to enter the premises of this building. You may wonder, why do they go here? The answer is to find peace. The constant hustling in life takes a man/woman away from introspection thus, this Ashram introduces you to spirituality thus, helping you explore a hidden aspect of yours.
The ultimate pleasure of traveling to Puducherry could be achieved if you visit it from the months of October to February when the climate is moderate.
Puducherry shows a clear amalgamation of French and Indian culture (mostly Tamil culture). The incessant beauty of this former French colony couldn’t be justified in a few words. This reinforces the fact that India has immense beauty in the form of innumerable travel destinations, with some being popular and others yet to be explored.
By: Ritika Sagar
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