My visit to Puducherry in winter 2013.
Located in the southwest region of India, Puducherry has always been of immense significance in history. Over time, the pleasant coastal town has developed quite the extravaganza of cultures which fueled my visit in the winter of 2013.
Puducherry has been recognized as a trading port for many centuries. Excavations just a few kms away from the Puducherry, in Arikamedu, suggest that the Romans had engaged in intensive trading of goods as early as the 1st century AD. Through the 4th century up till the 17th century, Puducherry has been a part of various empires such as Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar empire etc. Eventually, in 1497, when the Portuguese discovered the sea route to India, followed by the Dutch and the French, Puducherry began taking its present-day shape. After many years of dispute between the Portuguese, Dutch, French and English, Puducherry finally came under full French control in 1765. The French were responsible for developing the famous Boulevard Town of Puducherry and divided it into two parts: French quarters and Tamil quarters, each with its own distinct style of architecture. After the French left the region in 1954, Puducherry was established as one of the union territories of newly independent India.
Being under the influence of the French (and other European countries) for hundreds of years, Puducherry’s architecture and culture has adapted accordingly. A walk down the Boulevard Town, will easily make you forget that you’re in India! We stayed in the old parts of Puducherry, so the French quarters were walking distance from our guest house.
This beach town has pleasant weather all year round and one can enjoy the iconic yellow and grey buildings in the dead of winter wearing a simple
t shirt!
Another integral element contributing to the culture of this coastal town is the Shri Aurobindo Ashram. Shri Aurobindo was an Indian yogi, philosopher, freedom fighter, nationalist among many other things. He is regarded as one of the first political leaders to push forward the idea of a completely independent India. After
being prosecuted for sedition and conspiracy (and released due to insufficient evidence), Shri Aurobindo left for Puducherry to practice spirituality in 1910. Along with the Mother (or Ma), Shri Aurobindo created a place to develop a sense of spirituality and named it the Shri Aurobindo Ashram. All of Shri Aurobindo’s writings; from his poems, political writings in Bande Mataram to essays on Vedas are available for free online (along with translations in multiple languages).
Auroville, a part of Shri Aurobindo’s ashram, is a township located just outside of Puducherry is a must visit! Auroville was developed with the aim of creating a town for people of the world to realize human unity and is now a UNESCO backed site. The township is a quiet and peaceful area which majorly tends to the future environmental, sustainable and cultural needs of the world. Auroville is internationally famous for its’ Matrimandir (the township’s very own meditation chamber). Matrimandir’s iconic architectural design utilizes natural lighting to brilliantly illuminate the inner chambers and is well known for its serene aura; perfect for meditating! Auroville is currently home to 2100 people from all across the globe. My visit to Auroville was filled with calm walks across the township, exploring shops with goods made by township artists and a memorable trip to their very own fragrance shop, Maroma!
I also visited the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a revered place of worship for the large Christian community present in Puducherry. The building is a fine specimen of an oriental twist on the Gothic Revival architectural style and houses multiple delicate stained glass installations.
The trip to Puducherry was one of the most refreshing holidays I have ever had. Anyone looking for a calm and delightful time off should definitely visit Puducherry!
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