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Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens are located south of the New Bus Stand. The gate leading to the garden is reminiscent of French architecture and it stands out from its immediate surroundings because it is smack in the middle of the old Tamil town. The Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1826 in the ornate French style, with pruned trees, beautiful flower beds and gravel lined paths and fountains. The French introduced many exotic plants from all over the world, many of which thrived. With over 1500 species of plants, this could actually qualify as one of the best botanical gardens in South India.

The gardens also have a musical fountain which is active over the weekends, with two shows in the evening. Check for timings and the frequency of the shows as they may change depending on the season.


Bharathi Park

The Government Park or Bharati Park is in the green centre of the French Town and its lush trees provide ample relieve from the scorching sun on a hot summer day. With children playing in ponds, on their hill or in the traffic park, grown-ups sitting or lying on granite benches, families on a picnic and occassional sit-ins of striking citizens, the park is the most appreciated public area in town. Strolling under the cool trees is as dynamic as it gets. Unless people rush to the spot when an occassional movie is being shot.

The Aayi Mandapam has become the unmistakable centre from which four lanes divide the Park in four almost equal parts. The area is dotted with ancient sculptures and not so ancient statues. Around it stand a number of stately buildings:

The Raj Nivas - The residence of the Lt. Governor, formerly the Palace of the French Governor of puducherry.

The Museum - situated opposite the Raj Nivas on St Louis Street, houses an interesting collection of excavated artifacts from Roman Times and heritage from the French Period.

Towards the east, hidden behind a thick wall and huge trees lies the former French bandstand on which the French Army Band used to play.

On the southern side are the puducherry Art Gallery, Hotel Qualithe and the Chamber of Commerce, all built with a street front in colonial style. The UCO bank is surrounded by its own garden premises. A mighty stair invites you to the interior of a traditional bank.

Past the General Hospital on the western side are the Legislative Assembly and the Cercle de Pondichéry.

Turning back towards the Raj Nivas on the left is beautiful Villa Aroumé, which houses the Ashram Dining Room.


Keezhoor

There is a huge banyan tree near the village here. The canopy of the 400 year old tree covers a few acres at the very least. Kizhoor a border village is situated at a distance of nearly 28 kms from puducherry. It is a historic place in the sense that it is here only in the year 1954. Voting took place for the merger of puducherry with the Indian Union. As part of the celebrations of 50th Anniversary of De-facto puducherry, a permanent Exhibition of paintings relating to the merger of puducherry was opened at the Kizhoor Monument.
Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens are located south of the New Bus Stand. The gate leading to the garden is reminiscent of French architecture and it stands out from its immediate surroundings because it is smack in the middle of the old Tamil town. The Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1826 in the ornate French style, with pruned trees, beautiful flower beds and gravel lined paths and fountains. The French introduced many exotic plants from all over the world, many of which thrived. With over 1500 species of plants, this could actually qualify as one of the best botanical gardens in South India.

The gardens also have a musical fountain which is active over the weekends, with two shows in the evening. Check for timings and the frequency of the shows as they may change depending on the season.


Bharathi Park

The Government Park or Bharati Park is in the green centre of the French Town and its lush trees provide ample relieve from the scorching sun on a hot summer day. With children playing in ponds, on their hill or in the traffic park, grown-ups sitting or lying on granite benches, families on a picnic and occassional sit-ins of striking citizens, the park is the most appreciated public area in town. Strolling under the cool trees is as dynamic as it gets. Unless people rush to the spot when an occassional movie is being shot.

The Aayi Mandapam has become the unmistakable centre from which four lanes divide the Park in four almost equal parts. The area is dotted with ancient sculptures and not so ancient statues. Around it stand a number of stately buildings:

The Raj Nivas - The residence of the Lt. Governor, formerly the Palace of the French Governor of puducherry.

The Museum - situated opposite the Raj Nivas on St Louis Street, houses an interesting collection of excavated artifacts from Roman Times and heritage from the French Period.

Towards the east, hidden behind a thick wall and huge trees lies the former French bandstand on which the French Army Band used to play.

On the southern side are the puducherry Art Gallery, Hotel Qualithe and the Chamber of Commerce, all built with a street front in colonial style. The UCO bank is surrounded by its own garden premises. A mighty stair invites you to the interior of a traditional bank.

Past the General Hospital on the western side are the Legislative Assembly and the Cercle de Pondichéry.

Turning back towards the Raj Nivas on the left is beautiful Villa Aroumé, which houses the Ashram Dining Room.


Keezhoor

There is a huge banyan tree near the village here. The canopy of the 400 year old tree covers a few acres at the very least. Kizhoor a border village is situated at a distance of nearly 28 kms from puducherry. It is a historic place in the sense that it is here only in the year 1954. Voting took place for the merger of puducherry with the Indian Union. As part of the celebrations of 50th Anniversary of De-facto puducherry, a permanent Exhibition of paintings relating to the merger of puducherry was opened at the Kizhoor Monument.
One Union Territoy….three flavours…one identity
Mahe, Karaikal and Yanam make the picture perfect for puducherry. Adding a charm to the life and times’ that define puducherry, the three cities give a unique peep into the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.


Sri Aurobindo Ashram
The Sri Aurobindo Ashram was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. It is a diversified spiritual community and forms a vibrant part of the town, for the dynamic character of the community reflects the life-affirming aim of Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga. Work as an offering to the Divine is an essential aspect of the Yoga. At present the community consists of more than 2000 individuals, including 400 students of the Centre of Education. In the spiritual discipline at the Ashram called the Integral Yoga, there are no obligatory practices, no rituals, no compulsory meditations or systematic instructions in yoga. Each follower is left free to determine the course and pace of his discipline in accordance with his nature. But the general principle of the Yoga is the same for all, there must be surrender to the Divine Principle and an opening to the Divine force so that it may transform one’s being. In the courtyard in the Ashram’s main building (referred to as ‘the Ashram’) lies THE SAMADHI, a white-marbled shrine, the final resting place of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.


Auroville

Auroville “The City of Dawn”, is planned for 50,000 inhabitants. It is located on a low-lying plateau a few kilometres north of puducherry. It was on 28th February 1968 when youth representing 128 countries and all Indian States placed earth from their native places in an urn symbolising the creation of a city dedicated to human unity and international understanding. Since then Aurovillians have been working tirelessly to realize the idea set by The Mother of a city that will manifest human unity in diversity, a testing ground and laboratory for the next step in human evolution. At the centre stands Matrimandir, the ‘soul of Auroville’, a place for quiet reflection and concentration. Radiating out, beyond the Matrimandir Gardens, will be four zones – the industrial, cultural, residential and international.
Villianur 10 kms from puducherry is located the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple. Thousands of devotees converge here for a ten-day annual festival called Brahmotsavam held during May-June along with the appearance of the full moon. The huge 15 m tall temple chariot is taken out in a procession by a devout crowd. A secular practice arried over from the French days, when the French governors themselves used to draw the cars. In fact, today the Lt. Governor of puducherry ritually joins the heave.


Manakulla Vinayakar Temple

Located behind the Raj Nivas this Ganesha temple has an interesting story. A neighbouring Frenchman finding the place of worship a nuisance made several futile attempts to do away with the deity. Still, it kept reappearing. Convinced he turned an active believer. Therefore it is also fondly referred to as Vellakaran (white man) Pillai (ganesha). A young elephant named Lakshmi sometimes stands in front of the temple to give you blessings in the form of a gentle tap on the head.


Varadaraja Perumal Temple

It is said to have been founded in 600 AD when statues of the Hindu Gods, Rama, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman were brought by fishermen from the sea. The main deity is Venkatachalapathy (Vishnu) with a Narasimha (an avatar of Vishnu) behind
Agriculture

Nearly 24.37 per cent of the population of the Union Territory is engaged in agriculture and allied pursuits. 80.7% of the cultivated area is irrigated. Paddy is the predominant crop (65%) followed by pulses. Mahe region contributes to the plantation wealth of this territory. Crops like coconut, areca nut, condiments and spices are grown here. Paddy crop is a major crop and pulses, groundnut and chillies are the other rainfed crops grown in Yanam.

Industry

7,982 Industrial Units in total with an aggregate investment of Rs 2,177.78 crores provided employment to 93,044 persons up to March 2008. The total value of production of these industrial units worked out to Rs 13,455.34 crores.

Further, during the financial year 2006-2007 (upto March 2007) the value of exports in respect of the various products manufactured by the export oriented units is Rs 901.06 crores.

Irrigation

Under the assistance from the European Union many tanks were rehabilitated. 8 bed dams have been constructed across the river Sankaraparani and Pennar at various places. In addition to the above, necessary proposal to construct bed dams for ground water recharges at Aratchikuppam, Pambaiyar confluence point at Sellipet, across Malatar in Vadukuppam at Puducherry and across Mullaiyar, Pravadayanar and Vanjiar at Karaikal and also the construction of a bridge-cum-barrage at Villanur are under progress.

Power

The Power requirements of the Union Territory of Puducherry are met by availing share of power from the Central Generating Stations and by purchasing power from the neighbouring State Electricity Boards viz., Tamilnadu Electricity Board, Kerala State Electricity Board and from the Puducherry Power Corporation Limited. The total power available for Union Territory of Puducherry is 396 58 MW.

Transport

Roads nearly 677.525 km. of various category are being maintained by Roads Divisions of PWD Puducherry. Construction of bridges and improvement of roads are under progress.

Urban Development

Sewerage scheme in sub urban areas of Pondicherry has been taken up at a cost of Rs. 4.48 crore. The implementation of underground drainage scheme in Karaikal is proposed at a cost of Rs. 34.00 crore after conducting the investigation. Revitalisation of Bharathi Park is proposed at a cost of Rs. 2.47 crore under C.S.S. New Sewerage treatment plant in Lawspet and Dubrayapet are being commissioned to cater the growing demand.
Rules :

Rule 3 of the Union Territory of Pondicherry Legal Services Authority Rules, 1998:

Qualifications and experience of Members of the Union Territory of Pondicherry Authority :-

A person shall not be qualified for nomination as a Member of the Union Territory of Pondicherry Authority unless he is-

(a) an eminent Social Worker who is engaged in the upliftment of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women, Children, Rural and Urban labour; or

(b) an eminent person in the field of law; or

(c) a person of repute who is professionally experienced or specially interested in the implementation of the Legal Services Schemes.
Culture

Puja lamps made from five metals and known as kamatchi villakku are prized items of prayer with a large number of families in South India. Then there is handloom cloth in traditional designs, hand-woven carpets, hand-woven woolen pile carpets, hand printed textiles (both Kalamkari and batik), cane furniture, handmade paper, and hand rolled incense sticks from the Sri Aurobindo Society.

Music and dances of Pondicherry are mainly extension of southern styles of classical music. Major dance forms are Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi while Carnatic style of music is the prevalent musical tradition.

Despite its French character, Pondicherry is quintessentially Indian.

The zest for festivals here is much the same as elsewhere in the country.

Mascarade or the Mask Festival is held in March-April when costumed merry-makers parade the streets - the French version of holi in North India.

On Masimagam, the full moon day of Magam in February-March, idols from various neighbourhood temples are taken out for immersion in the sea.

The seafront is lined with thousands of people keen to watch the spectacle.

Indo-French war pageantry is presented on the eve of Bastille Day, a French commemoration. International Yoga Festival is held at Aurobindo Ashram in the month of January every year.

Other important festivals of Pondicherry are Sani Peyarchi Festival, which is organized once in every three years, and Panguni Uthiram in the month of March-April every year.
Athiappa Chemicals (P) Ltd. - Producers of barium compounds and sodium sulphide.
Auromode Garments - Exporter of hand painted silk scarves and garments.
Candela - Offer a range of perfumed candles.
Integra Software Services - Offer digital typesetting, e-publishing and web-publishing of academic , scientific and technical books, journals, medical publications, software and user manuals.
Manatec Electronics - Suppliers of automotive maintenance equipment, including computerized CCD wheel aligners, balancers, emission testers.
Penta Services - Offer web design, hosting, and development services.
Sabda - Offers publications of the works of Sri Aurbindo Ashram and related books on topics of literature, philosophy, yoga, spirituality, sociology, indology, education and psychology in fifteen languages.
Shoney Scientific India - Supplier of disposable biopsy punch, liposuction cannulas, and surgical instruments.

Education

Jawaharlal Institute of PostGraduate Medical Education and Research( JIPMER) - Information on the institute, courses, departments, and hospital. Includes a photo tour.
Pondicherry Engineering College: Alumni - Home page of the Alumni of the ECE Department.
Pondicherry University - Information on this central university, schools, affiliated institutions and admission procedures.
Primrose School - Details of the private, co-ed, ICSE day school including staff, facilities, and teaching methods.

Society and Culture

Auroville International Organization - A worldwide network set up with the aim of supporting the Auroville International Township in India, project sponsored by the UNESCO since 1966.
Auroville Universal Township - A city in the make dedicated to human unity, and based on the vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Details of the vision, the city, and its environment.
Omkara Ashram - The fourth world wide project work for writing the 'Om nama sivaya' japa a thousand crores times, and also to construct a Shiva temple using this mantra.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Information about the ashram and its activities. Includes an image gallery.
Sri Raghavendra Mrittika Brindavan - Location and timings of the temple in Ragavendra Nagar, Kurumbapet. Includes a photo gallery.

Travel and Tourism

Little Castle - A multicuisine restaurant and a club with accommodation.
Pondicherry Tourist Guide - Guide offering information on Sri Aurobindo Ashram, meditation in Auroville, history, routes and tours.
Pondichery.net - Information about serviced tourist accommodation, places to visit and things to do in Pondicherry.
Puducherry Tourism - Government department of tourism. Information on tourist attractons, institutions and hotels.
The literacy rate in Pondicherry is much higher at 81.49% as compared to the all India average. The male literacy rate is 88.89% while the female literacy rate is 74.13%. Pondicherry house many reputed institutes of higher education and research.

The literacy rate in Pondicherry is much higher at 81.49% as compared to the all India average.

The male literacy rate is 88.89% while the female literacy rate is 74.13%. Pondicherry house many reputed institutes of higher education and research.

Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) is one of the country's leading centers of medical education and research. It has attached 850 bed hospital.

The Alliance Francaise and the French Institute are dedicated to keeping the French tradition alive in Pondicherry. The Alliance Francaise conducts French language classes and arranges French cultural programs.

Pondicherry Government is giving special emphasis to IT education. Computers and Internet access is made available to all institutions down to middle schools.

Colleges in Puducherry:

Achariya Arts and Science college

Achariya Cambrian College

Achariya college of Education

Achariya Group of Educational Institutions

Achariya Teacher Training Academy

Bharathidasan Govt. College for Women

Bharathihar College of Engineering and Technology

Dr.Ambedkar Govt. Law College

JIPMER

Kanchi Mamunivar Centre for P.G. Studies

Mahatma Gandhi Dental College

Mothilal Nehru Govt. Polytechnic

Pondicherry Engineering College

Pondicherry University

Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology

Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College

Tagore Arts College

Women's Polytechnic