Pondicherry

THE REFLECTION OF FRANCE IN

INDIA

PUDUCHERRY

Puducherry the mystical place

that attracts thousands of tourists every
year from all over the world was
discovered by Romans in 200 B.C.

Ever since, this place has been commanding

attention
The Portuguese established a factory in the 16th
century
But the ruler of Gingee (The Vijayanagra empire)
forced them out in the same century
The Dutch who found this place attractive
established their presence in the 17th century
Then came the French who really defined this
place in 1654

Since then Puducherry was under French Rule until 1954

On 01.11.1954 Puducherry merged

with the Indian

Government

Option
given
to
choose
Indian/French
nationality.
Puducherry has about 50,000 French nationals of
Indian origin

Pondicherry is synonymous with French Heritage in India and

centuries of French rule has imparted this place a strong
French feel in its architecture and monuments

The heritage that Puducherry is known

for

 Architecture: The French built houses

at the French quarter is otherwise called
the Ville Blanche
Road plan: A typical French style; grid
plan where the streets meet each other
at right angles
Street names: Carry respective names
at the French / Indian quarter like Rue
Dumas and Bharathy Street
Furniture:
Franco
Pondicherrian
furniture are famous for its style and
finish
Cuisine: Is known for original French
cuisine with Poulet, Poisson and
Crevette. It attracts a lot of tourists
during January for the Gourmet Festival
Language: Thousands of ethnic Indians
retain their French citizenship and are in
command of the language that has
become part of everyday slang like;
Bonjour Monsieur

And the spirituality in Puducherry

that one gets to experience is something
unique

Sri Aurobindo Ashram is the oneness

of Sri Aurobindo. The Ashram aims at
providing a complete method of Yoga
that would transform human nature
to divine life.

Auroville a small township is

a city of dawn established
just 10 kms from
Pondicherry, and universal
town where people of world
countries live in peace and
harmony. The major tagline
of Auroville is realizing
"human unity".

Puducherry is more than

just history, heritage
& spirituality