Pondicherry
- La capitale francese dell'India

Una destinazione stupenda situata a sole tre ore di auto da Chennai; Pondicherry affascina molti con i suoi panorami maestosi. La città brilla per il suo patrimonio coloniale indiano e francese che la distingue. Qui si possono trovare una serie di attrazioni turistiche che parlano della ricca cultura, del patrimonio leggendario e della bellezza incontaminata della città.

Gente e cultura di Pondicherry

Gli abitanti di questa città sono multinazionali e multietnici. La cultura di Pondicherry è cosmopolita e affascina i viaggiatori che la visitano. La gente del posto può essere vista in bellissimi abiti tradizionali con uomini che indossano pantaloni e camicie e donne vestite con sari, gonne lunghe e camicette. Inoltre, la musica e la danza sono parte integrante di Pondicherry. Le forme di danza popolari come Yakshgana, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Chau, Mohininattam, ecc. sono fortemente influenzate dal ricco patrimonio della tradizione tamil. Inoltre, Bhairavi è un popolare circolo di musica carnatica a Pondicherry eseguito utilizzando abilità strumentali e vocali. Gli abitanti della città sono bilingue e parlano sia francese che tamil.

L'artigianato della città è sia tradizionale che contemporaneo. Puducheri bommai, una bambola fatta a mano, è un popolare oggetto di artigianato locale realizzato in terracotta, cartapesta e gesso. L'artigianato moderno include carta fatta a mano, carta di riso, bastoncini di incenso, candele, tessuti di cotone intrecciati a mano, tessuti ricamati e dipinti a mano, che sono souvenir perfetti da portare a casa.

Natura a Pondicherry

Pondicherry è costellata di una serie di attrazioni dove anche i venti trasudano serenità. Inizia con il Giardino Botanico con sei splendide fontane, un grande acquario con pesci ornamentali, una fontana danzante e uno splendido trenino per bambini. Il giardino ospita 1500 specie di piante, il che lo rende una delizia per gli adoratori della natura. Il Promenade è un'altra bellissima zona perfetta per godersi piacevoli passeggiate in mezzo alla natura. Questa zona vivace è ricca di caffè e ristoranti dove i viaggiatori possono rilassarsi con una birra in mano.

Per catturare un tramonto perfetto, visita il lago Ousteri. Esteso su una superficie di 390 ettari, questo lago è riconosciuto come una delle zone umide più importanti dell'Asia dall'Unione Internazionale per la Conservazione della Natura e delle Risorse Naturali. Oltre a questo, per gli amanti delle spiagge, Paradise Beach e Serenity Beach sono rifugi perfetti. Come i loro nomi, entrambe queste spiagge sono paradisi per rubare un po' di tempo alla vita frenetica e fare un tuffo nei poteri di Madre Natura.

Wildlife in Pondicherry

Pondicherry brings a pleasant surprise for the devotees of wildlife. The Ousteri Wildlife Sanctuary is the most popular destination to eye wildlife from a closer perspective. It houses over 160 species of birds apart from 60 species of butterflies and 25 species of fish.

The seasonal Bahour Lake, a freshwater wetland, is another great destination to spot beautiful birds. The coastal waters of Pondicherry house a variety of corals, fish and crustaceans. Also, few places in the city like the Karaikal region act as nesting spots for Olive Ridley turtles.

Adventure in Pondicherry

Scuba diving is one of the most popular sports in Pondicherry. The city’s marvellous beaches like Paradise Beach and Karaikal Beach are home to brilliant coral reefs that are worth exploring. Travellers visiting these beaches can also partake in boating, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking and backwater sailing to eye the unearthly beauty of the underwater world.

Religious Destinations in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is home to numerous religious spots that charm devotees from all over the country. No traveller visiting the city ever misses a chance to explore the Manakkula Vinayakar Temple, an ancient holy place beautified with forty incarnations of Ganesha carved on the stone walls.

Thirunallur Temple is another known temple of the city devoted to Lord Saneeswaran (Saturn). Sri Gokilambal Thriukameswara Temple is also a prominent shrine famous for hosting Brahmostavam, a popular ten day long festival celebrated with the appearance of the full moon. Those who wish to experience the deeply-rooted belief of the locals in their religion must visit the Karaikal Ammaiyur Temple. The temple houses a sanctum dedicated to Lord Vinayaka and narrates a beautiful tale about Lord Siva.

Other than temples, churches like Eglise de Sacre Coeur de Jesus also deserve a visit to experience the Gothic charm. Dedicated to the sacred heart of Lord Jesus Christ, the church is renowned for its Gothic Architecture and stained glass panels with paintings depicting the life of Jesus.

Shopping in Pondicherry

A shopping spree is a must in Pondicherry. The local vendors can be seen selling home decor items and junk jewellery. There are also many Auroville shops and boutiques exhibiting artistic and intricate work handicrafts. Most of the beaches in the city are nestling with vibrant stalls, good enough to bag local gift items. In addition to this, one can also buy Southern silks and fabrics – a unique speciality of the city.

Food in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is extremely popular for its food. It is perhaps the best place in the country to buy bona fide French baguettes, brioches and pastries. Do not miss a chance to taste delectable French dishes like Salad Niçoise (a healthy salad), Quiche (open baked tart with a savoury egg custard filling), Coq Au Vin (chicken casserole), Sole Meunière (flat fish called Sole) and Croque Monsieur (ham and cheese sandwich). Apart from the French food, the local restaurants also serve Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati and Punjabi cuisines.

Fairs & Festivals in Pondicherry

The city remains soaked in the waters of festivities all year long. Pongal, a popular festival of Tamilians, is celebrated with much fervour in Pondicherry. The locals also pay much devotion to MasiMagam, another Tamil Hindu festival in which idols of god are taken in a procession to a water body for a traditional bath. Another vibrant festival that presents the multihued cultures and traditions of the locals is Villianur Temple Festival. It is celebrated at the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple where the devotees flock to worship lord Shiva.

Veerampattinam Festival is also a big festival of the city celebrated in the village Veerampattinam - the biggest coastal village in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. This village is also known for its 6 weeks long Car Festival that attracts travellers from all over the globe.

In addition to this, travellers also love to partake in the Fete De Puducherry where the Government of Pondicherry organizes free evening cultural presentations. Food lovers must not miss a chance to participate in the French Food Festival – a one stop destination to taste delectable French delicacies.

Weather Conditions in Pondicherry

The best time to visit Pondicherry is between October and February. October turns the city in a beautiful heaven. December and January are also perfect to explore the charms of Pondicherry. May and June are the hottest months and thus, must be avoided. The weather gets calmer soon after July when the showers of the southwest monsoons wash away the humidity and scorching heat.

How to Reach Pondicherry

The closest airport to reach Pondicherry is at Chennai from where travellers can take a 3-4 hours taxi ride. The city is also connected with Chennai, Trichy and Villupuram via rail. Also, travellers looking for bus ride can find numerous direct bus links.

Getting Around in Pondicherry

The streets of Pondicherry are well organised and thus, getting around is extremely easy. Bicycle and moped rentals are available in abundance and are great to explore local attractions. Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are also great for short distances.