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Pondicherry,
a Union territory, is also known as “Puducheri” which
means 'the new settlement' in the local language. The dominant aura
of French culture and Aurobindo Ashram are the striking features
of the city. The French settlement consisting of the town Pondicherry,
also called as Pondy and three other places in the different states
namely Karaikal in Tamil Nadu, Mahe in Kerala, and Yanam in Andhra
Pradesh, comprise the Union Territory of Pondicherry. This beautiful
place is located 200 km south of Chennai (Madras). |
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The
main building encompasses the houses of Shri Aurobindo and The Mother
(Mirra Alfassa, a French woman who accepted Aurobindo as her spiritual
mentor and guide and later became his most important disciple).
In the courtyard are the |
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samadhis
of Aurobindo and The Mother where their mortal remains have been
enshrined. The worth visiting at the Ashram complex are the International
Education Centre, guest houses, libraries and the cottage industries. |
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| The
beaches are the best place to relax in Pondicherry.The 1500 metre
long beach that borders the town on the eastern side is clean and
is an ideal place for swimming and sun bathing. There are two monuments
of historical significance on the beach. One is the 4m. tall statue
of Mahatma Gandhi and the other is the War Memorial, built by the
French in commemoration of the soldiers who died in the First World
War. The Light House which stands 29m. high is further down the
beach and is over 150 years old. |
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There
are several of churches that are worthy of a visit. One of the most
beautiful is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus located on
South Boulevard. It is built in the Gothic style and has three stained
glass panels in a corridor behind the altar which exhibits the life
of Christ. The Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges on Rue Dumas was built
in 1865. The church has an oil painting of Our Lady of Assumption
that was donated by Napoleon III. The Eglise de Notre Dame de Lourdes
situated in Villiyanur on the outskirts of Pondicherry is built
on the same pattern as the Basilica at Lourdes in France.
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There
are many temples in Pondicherry that were erected by the Cholas
between the 10th and 12th centuries. Most of them are dedicated
to the local goddesses of the villages where they were built. There
are also quite a few temples dedicated to Lord Vinayaka or Ganapathy. |
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| » How
to reach Podicherry |
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By
Air : The nearest airport for Pondicherry is Chennai (135 kms away).
Chennai is well connected to all major cities of India and is also
an International airport.
By Rail : Pondicherry is connected by rail to
Villupuram (36 kms), which connects to Chennai and Madurai/Trivandrum.
By Road : Pondicherry has a good network
of roads, which connects it with most of South India. Pondicherry
fits in very well to itineraries covering Chennai, Madurai and
Trichy in Southern India.
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