Puducherry is a union territory of India located in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula. The city was formerly known as Pondicherry and is also known as Pondy. It was under French Rule until 1954; some people here still speak French. To the travellers visiting this union territory, the place provides peace; the city takes one back in time. There are many hotels in Puducherry to choose from.
The French connection, the colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual sceneries, the tree-lined boulevards, the endless stretches of beaches and backwaters makes Puducherry the perfect holiday destination.
Following are some interesting facts about the little town of Puducherry:
1. The place has picturesque views and serene atmosphere.
2. Puducherry is a heritage in itself as it has passed through different and varied cultural influences.
3. The primary spoken language here is Tamil; Telugu, Malayalam, English and French are also spoken.
4. The place has a distinct spiritual vibe with many events of resident sages coming to this area.
5. The city houses sprawling premises of the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
6. Puducherry is a perfect base to explore the vibrant destinations of Tamil Nadu around it. Places like Auroville, temple towns of Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Chidambaram, and hill stations of Yercaud and Kodaikanal are nearby.
7. There are extensive ranges of hotels in Puducherry. Beach resorts, heritage hotels, and commercial hotels are present in the city.
8. Pondicherry offers a glimpse of France in India. The White Town area close to Promenade Beach resembles cities of France.
9. The city is planned on a grid pattern. The White Town area has excellent town planning characteristics.
10. The city is becoming the sought after shopping destination for the southern metropolitan cities, because of its low taxes.
11. Puducherry has a colonial past that is hard to miss. The statue of Francois Dupleix, of Joan of Arc, can be spotted while taking a stroll around the city.
12. The Portuguese, the Dutch, the Danes and the English have all been here. By the 18th century, this little fishing village got turned into a grand port city.
13. The town has been divided into a French section and Tamil section as per its respective population and architectural differences.
14. The French section has colonial style buildings with long compound walls and stately gates. The streets are majorly calm and empty.
15. The Tamil section has streets that are lined by verandahs and extended porches where the residents would gather.
16. The town has a fascinating spiritual heritage that is a blend of eastern and western culture, and ancient and modern religious disciplines.
17. Pondicherry’s culture, art and craft reflects its traditional Tamil heritage, French influence, and a fusion of the two as well.
18. There is a Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Town that can accommodate 2000 people at a time.
19. Traditional Tamil cuisine is trendy in Puducherry.
20. The Union Territory has four districts that are separated by miles.
21. Pondicherry celebrates Independence Day on August 16.
Puducherry has a lot to offer to its visitors. The amalgamation of cultures and the natural beauty of the place calls for a vacation. There are plenty of hotels in Puducherry.
