Pondicherry also known as Puducherry is a city and a municipality in Pondicherry district in the Indian union territory of Puducherry. Pondicherry (or Puducheri) meaning ’the new settlement’ used to be a French settlement comprising of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam other than Pondicherry itself. A unique fact about Pondicherry is that it simultaneously spreads into several states. Karaikal is in Tamil Nadu while Mahe is in Kerala. Yanam on the other hand is a part of Andhra Pradesh. French connection is distinctly visible on the architecture and culture of the place; however, its fame lies in its relation with the saint-philosopher Aurobindo Ghosh, who founded his ashram here. A planned city where all roads meet at right angles, adhering to the grid system and a long Petit Canal divides the city on the sea-ward side. Geography and Climate The Union Territory of Pondicherry extends from Latitude 11056' in the North to Longitude 79053' in the East. Pondicherry comprises four coastal regions namely Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam. Pondicherry and Karaikal are situated on the East Coasts in Tamil Nadu, Yanam in Andhra Pradesh, and Mahe on the West Coast in Kerala. The climate of Pondicherry is classified as tropical wet and dry, similar to that of coastal Tamil Nadu. Summer lasts from April to early June, when maximum temperatures frequently hit the 41 °C (106 °F) mark. The average maximum temperature is 36 °C (97 °F). Minimum temperatures are in the order of 28–32 °C (82–90 °F). This is followed by a period of high humidity and occasional thundershowers from June till September. The northeast monsoon sets in during the middle of October, and Pondicherry gets the bulk of its annual rainfall during the period from October to December. The annual average rainfall is 1,240 mm (49 in).[6] Winters are warm, with highs of 30 °C (86 °F) and lows often dipping to around 18–20 °C (64–68 °F). Demographics According to the 2011 India census Pondicherry had a population of 675,000. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Pondicherry has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5% of which male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 71%. In Pondicherry, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. The majority of people speak Tamil, Telugu, or Malayalam. There is a community of French people in Pondicherry and a number of French institutions such as a consulate, the French Institute, and L'Alliance Française. History of Pondicherry The early history of Pondicherry can be traced back to the 2nd century. It has a combined history of both Hindu kingdoms and European rule. Historians and archeologist suggest that the city had long established trade routes that connected to Rome and the region close to the city of Pondicherry. With a distinction of being a flourishing trading center, Pondicherry was the most sought-after region after by several monarchs. The Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Emperors contributed to the growth and development of the place in the fields of art, culture and economics. Like few selected regions in the continent, Pondicherry escaped from the autocratic rule of the Muslim rulers. By mid 1600's, Pondicherry was dominated by the French, the Dutch and the English officials, each trying to outclass them in the rat-race only to emerge as the leaders on the commercial front in the Indian trade. Towards the 18th century, the French refused to cower down by the powerful British army despite being overpowered several times. Several years after India's independence, Pondicherry merged with India and later became a union territory. Culture of Pondicherry Pondicherry has a mixed culture as has several cultures brought together to make it merge into one. It is a typical Dravidian place where one will find a majority of people to be Dravidian. Despite of its French culture and character, the place is truly Indian. Although the original people are from Tamil origin, the district is comprised of people from various Indian state and foreign countries. However, even after decades of independence from French, their culture is still dominant in the region. Exposure to different cultures has converted this small place into a very attractive multi-cultural city that has distinct characteristics. The French cuisine is quite popular in the city which has blended well with the local cuisines providing an exotic food flavor. Tourist Destinations in Pondicherry Although a very small, Pondicherry was the largest French colony in India. There is a strong French influence in the city, especially in the old quarters, with Rues and Boulevards lined with Mediterranean style houses and bakeries, although the city remains very much Indian. Also known as The French Riviera of the East, Pondicherry attracts a horde of tourists from all over the globe. Pondicherry offers an array of tourist attractions, which lures the travelers from near and far. Some of these are: Auroville Sri Aurobindo Ashram Promenade Old Lighthouse Gandhi Statue Botanical Garden French War Memorial Park Monument Bharati Park The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception The Church of Our Lady of Angels Goubert Avenue Transportation Pondicherry is connected to Chennai via the East Coast Road through Mahabalipuram. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates Volvo air-conditioned services from Chennai to Pondicherry. It is connected by train to several places including Delhi and Mangalore. Pondicherry Airport has scheduled commercial flights to and from Bangalore. The Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation runs buses within the city. One of the most popular means of travelling around the city is by bicycles that are available on rent.
