“Pondicherry - portrayal of a miraculous town!”

Renowned relations outline the beginning of this city to Rishi Agastya, the well regarded erudite of the south. And excavations near Pondicherry expose that a Roman settlement existed here around 2000 years ago. Pondicherry acted as a place of fight between the British and French. It was the capital of French India till the time it attained independence in the year 1954. French reverie of an Indian domain has taken life but it also quickly came to an end in Pondicherry. Among the isolated territories of the territorial Union of Pondicherry, it is in Pondicherry itself that we can determine what has represented the French sway in India. That is also what makes this territory unique and especially, the French district. Something quite different from the rest of India. Pondicherry has been the theatre of many battles in the wars between the British and the French.

Due to the proximity of the sea, Pondicherry experiences moderate and cool. Pondicherry is located on the Malabar Coast. Bay of Bengal is on its southern side because of which the climate of Pondicherry is temperate. In the summer season, the maximum temperature recorded is around 35 degree C. Winters are not so chilly with the temperature falling to a minimum of 20 degree C.The average maximum temperature is 31.5ºC and the average minimum temperature is 23.9ºC. The average rainfall is about 1300mm. Rainy season if from November to January. Best time to visit this tranquil land is between the months of October to March.

The French ruled the territory of Pondicherry for about 300 years. The imprints of French culture and traditions are still found on this serene land of Pondicherry. Pondicherry stands as a living monument of the French culture in India. Festivals of Pondicherry vary from rest of the country. One of the famous festival of Pondicherry is the Masquerade In which people wear radiant costumes and masks and dance down the streets of Pondicherry.

The official language spoken in Pondicherry is French. It is also the official language of the state. A majority of the population in Pondicherry speaks French. There are a few people who speak Hindi, English and Tamil.

The total population of Pondicherry as at 0:00 hours of 1st March 2001 stood at 973829 as per the provisional results of the Census of India 2001. People of Pondicherry are very cultured and well mannered. There is a slight shadow of the French Culture in the lifestyles of people of Pondicherry.

The main tourist attractions in Pondicherry are:

• Samadhi of Shri Aurobindo Ghosh
• The Beach Road, Marie
• French Institute, Ecole Francaise
• Raj Niwas, Rue Dumas Street
• Government Square
• Auroville, Nehru Street
• Duplex and the Botanical Gardens.
• Pondicherry Museum
• Shri Aurbindo Aashram
• Sacred Heart Church
• Pondicherry Beach
• Auroville

Water Sports are popular in Pondicherry. Tourists that come to visit the land of Pondicherry do not miss the fun of the water sports. Adventure lovers can have great opportunities here to quench their adventure thirst.