indian_travel
At Pondicherry, you won't feel the Indian atmosphere any more. At least not so much. Probably because it had been a French colony, yet its natural and spiritual splendor is not lost.
The ashram is named after Sri Aurobindo, a renowned Indian nationalist cum philosopher. He established this ashram as far back as in 1926 following his resignation from any public appearance to tread his spiritual path. The Ashram now has a large gathering from all across the globe. If you are looking for some inner peace in Hinduism, the Ashram is the most ideal place to visit in Pondicherry. The Ashram also has Yoga sessions. If you need to get directions to any Pondicherry hotel ask a local with Aurobindo Ashram as the landmark. The ashram is popular and they will tell you how to get to any hotel from the ashram.
This place was created a few decades after Sri Aurobindo founded his ashram by one of his spiritual colleagues, Mirra Alfassa. In founding Auroville, Alfassa's hope was to build a place that shelters people from all walks of ethnicity. And you will observe that her hope has been accomplished. The place is enveloped in quietude and calmness. You can also take part in many workshops to see how India's spiritual revival is slowly taking place. If you are undergoing any mental agony, seek solace in therapeutic Auroville. Even if you are not, this place will allure you with its limitless composedness.
If you are fascinated by the odd combination of France and India, make a trip to Pondicherry Museum. The museum will draw your attention with its impressive collection of artefacts from the colonial period. The museum is also home to sculpture of Chola, Pallava and Vijaynagara temples. Among the artifacts you will find Buddha statues, arms, weapons, terracotta figures, amphorae, glass beads, burial urns. Furniture, lamps, paintings, crockery and porcelain from French period look like a bonus feature of the museum. You will also see a printing press of 1820 along with journals and books printed on it. The museum is located within close proximity to Hotel Atithi.
Pondicherry is blessed with four beaches: Promenade, Paradise, Auroville and Serenity beach. The good thing about it is that these beaches hardly get crowded. The best moment to reach the beach is during the sunset.
Interestingly Pondicherry has 32 churches under her shelter. Some prominent churches are Church of Our Lady of Angels, Sacred Heart Church, Dupleix Church, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Some of these churches have a long history behind them. And you can clearly see the French architectural style in these churches. Whatever religion you follow, just take a while to breathe in the enchanting calmness of the any of these churches. You will be a lot more peaceful in mind in the religious ambience.
With a simple construction of four pillars, the French War Memorial looks so royal in Pondicherry. You will be able to see this War Memorial by the beach on Gobert Avenue. The memorial is built in memory of the French soldiers killed during the First World War. When you walk a few metres away, you will find the Statue of Dupleix, named after Joseph Francois Dupleix, a Governor General who lived in Pondicherry.
