history
Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry)
is a Union Territory of India. It is a former French colony,
consisting of four non-contiguous enclaves, or districts,
and named for the largest, Pondicherry.

In September 2006, the territory changed its official name
from Pondicherry to the vernacular original, Puducherry,
which means "New village" in the Tamil language. The
territory is called Puducherry in Tamil,, or "Pondichéry" in
French. It is also known as The French Riviera of the East.

Pondicherry traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, the revered
sage of the south. The excavations near Pondicherry reveal,
that a Roman settlement existed here, 2000 years ago. It was
also the site of many a battle between the British and the
French, and was the capital of French India, before it
attained its independence.
This restored, attractive, former French colony, exudes a
Mediterranean aura with its chic streets, elegant houses,
ornamental gardens and the Hotel de Ville. Being a small and
quiet enclave of Tamil Nadu, it has imbibed the Tamilian
culture. Apart from th
e
charming atmosphere, excellent restaurants and cheap beer,
what attracts most travellers to Pondicherry is the Sri
Aurobindo Ashram and its offshoot, Auroville, 10 km outside
town. The ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo in the year 1926,
has brought international reputation to this coastal town.
The ashram, the spiritual tenets of which combine yoga and
modern science is quite popular within India and abroad.
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