Puducheri (Pondicherry)

Highlights: French colony culture, paper factory, Ganesha temple, Alliance Francaise, Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Dates: January, 2000

Travelogue: to be linked here when ready.

A little background: Some of "Pondy" still echoes of the 18th Century French colonization with its wide boulevards and Riviera-style homes. French is still spoken, and the cuisine includes baguettes and bouillabaisse. On "the other side of the boulevard" however, this city is thoroughly Indian.

The Sri Aurobindo ashram is nearby in the town of Auroville, an ashram of sorts, multicultural and open to the serious joiner only. Famous for its eclectic mix of people and of architecture, it continues to grow in size and popularity for those with the desire and the resources to be involved in this unique community.

From here I'll visit Tiruvannamalai and Tiruchchirappalli (two of the temples of the five elements), and then Maduri, and Periyar Tiger Reserve.

For more information on Pondicherry visit Pondy-Central. (Photos above courtesy Pondy-Central.)

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