 Surrounding area map with administrative boundaries of the city district | ||
| Pondicherry Tamil: புதுச்சேரி Putuccēri | ||
| Union Territory | Pondicherry | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | approx. 240,000, with surrounding area 650,000 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 3 m | |
| Tourist info | 91 413 2339497 Department of Tourism | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Pondicherry (until 2006: Pondicherry) is a former French colonial town in South india. It is the part of the small union territory of the same name that is owned by the state Tamil Nadu is surrounded.
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Puducherry is the main town of the Union territory of the same namewhich has consisted of four small formerly French colonies in India since the 1960s. The others, distant, are Mahé, Karaikal and Yanam. The more inland part of the city has grown rapidly in recent decades and is administratively a separate municipality Oulgaret (= Ozhukarai). At the time of strict prohibition in the surrounding state Tamil Nadu Pondicherry was an important destination for South Indians who preferred a more casual approach to alcohol.
The French were in the place with theirs mission civilisatrice not very successful. At most in the old town (White Town) with their right-angled streets, which essentially correspond to the oval of the city fortifications of the 17th / 18th centuries. Century is identical in places where it is used for tourism and in the Képis the traffic police can still see a touch of France. Otherwise it is a purely Tamil place, even if you have the Bastille Day celebrated on July 14th.
getting there
By plane
- The closest international airport is the 1 Chennai International Airport (चेन्नई अंतर्राष्ट्रीय हवाई अड्डा, IATA: MAA) (15 km south of the city).
- The small 2 Pondicherry airport (पॉन्डिचेरी विमानक्षेत्र, IATA: PNY).[outdated]there are hardly any flights within India either. In 2013 a new terminal opened that can handle 300 passengers. There are direct flights to Bengaluru. The low-cost airline Air Pegasus wanted to serve this route with turbo-prop planes from summer 2015 as well. Taxis into town cost ₹ 300-400.
By train
is centrally located.Diagonally across the street is the 1 Sacre Coeur Basilica (Sacre Coeur Basilica (Puducherry))
Overall, however, the infrastructure of the local rail network is poor. Only from further to the west 4 Viluppuram Junction Railway Station better remote connections are possible.
The line to Chennai-Egmore (5 hours) via Viluppuram is electrified. The long-distance trains also serve Tirupati (2x daily) and Bhubaneswar (1x a week). direction Bengaluru can be reached with the air-conditioned Garib Rath Express, which, according to the schedule, reaches the sensational average speed of 60 km / h for India.
By bus
Driving times: Bengaluru 8 h (4x daily), Chennai 3.5 h (every 20-30 min), Coimbatore 9 h (7x daily), Tiruvannamalai 3 h (10x daily) or Tiruchirappalli (Trichy 3 h, 10x daily).
is at the bus stand. There are also some simple category guesthouses in the vicinity.In the street
The trunk roads meet at the roundabout 2 Place d'Anna on the outskirts of the city center.
Puducherry is on 
National Highway 32 (coastal road to Chennai), as well as on 
NH 77, the after Krishnagiri leads. NH 203 State Highway 203, starting here, meets at Mundiyampakkam after a good 35 km 
NH 38, the south up Thoothukudi Coming from the south from Cuddalore (approx. 25 km) 
NH332, which turns sharply to the east in the village towards Villapuram (approx. 42 km).
mobility
The city center is compact enough to be able to walk. Tuk tuk and taxis draw attention to themselves in India's usual, hard-to-ignore manner.
In the old town (Mission St.) there are some two-wheeler rentals (bike from 50 ₹ per day, scooter or motorcycle 250-400 ₹ deposit). For your own safety, you should carefully check the condition of the vehicles.
Tourist Attractions
- White Town
The southern part is also called Government Square. At the 4 lighthouse is the little one Jawahar Toy Museum, a toy museum with around 120 dolls from different countries (closed on Mondays).
On the opposite side of the park is the building des 1 State parliaments.
Historical finds from the im Periplus mentioned Roman trading post Arikamedu as well as everyday objects of the colonial times.Open: Tue-Sat 11 am-1pm 2-5pm.That is cultivated 2 Romain Rolland Library. The main post office is located about a hundred meters into town in the side street.
- Houses converted into museums
- 6 Bharathiar, 20, Eswaran Dharamaraja Koil St. Home of the patriotic poet Subramanya Bharathi (1882-1921), known as Bharathiar, who fled to the colony from British oppression in 1908.
- Bharathidasan, 95, Perumal Kovil St.. House of his disciple and follower Kanakasubburatnam (1891-1964), called Bharathidasan.
- Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum. His villa, built for himself around 1738, is reminiscent of the diary author of the 18th century, who was in the service of the French colonial rulers as an interpreter. It is one of the oldest preserved buildings on site and needs renovation.Open: The museum can only be visited upon request to the tourist information.
- 7 Botanical Garden. Renovated in 2015. The large flying foxes that sleep in the trees during the day are numerous.Open: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Price: free.
- 8 Indira Gandhi statue, Indira Gandhi Square. The monument stands in the middle of the busy Indira Gandhi Square.
temple
- 9 Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Manakula Vinayagar St..Almost 300 years old Ganesha temple.Open: 5.45 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. 4 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.
In total there are probably 150 Hindu temples in the city area.
Churches
- 10 Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Notre Dame de la Conception Immaculate, Immaculate Conception Cathedral) (at Mission St.).Seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore.
- 12 Our Lady of the Angels (Notre Dame des Anges, Our Lady of Angels)
activities
- 3 Tourist information, 40, Goubert Ave. Tel.: 91 413 2339497, Email: [email protected]. The tourist office also organizes half-day (₹ 200) and full-day (₹ 300) guided tours.
- 4 Sri Aurobindo Ashram (श्री अरविन्द आश्रम), Marine St. / Manakula Vinayagar Koil St.. Tel.: 91 413 223 3649.A shrine to Aurobindo and his French wife, known as "the mother", where you can also learn a strange combination of "yoga" and "modern science".Open: Visits: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- This is used in the first week of January Yoga Festivalto sell even more appropriate products to the esoteric tourists present during the high season.
- Guided bike tours, daily 7 am-9am, offers My Vintage Bicyclette. To book via 2 South Indian Traditional Arts Cultural Center, 22 Kandappa Mudaliar Street, for an expensive ₹ 1200 (2015).
swim
The beaches on either side of the city are not overly wide or well-kept.
- heading north
- The first beach behind the city limits is the small one, less than 200 m long 3 Serenity Beach (Beach of the village of Kotamedu, also known as Kaottakuppam).
- About one kilometer further north near the village of Kulapayalam is on 4 Repos Beach (End point of the Aurovillle Mai Road). also the private beach of Auroville.
- The 5 Pondicherry University Beach (right outside the door of this institution).
- Immediately behind it is a Sai BabaTemple and the luxury resort 1 St. James, Opp. Pondicherry Engineering College, Chinna, Kalapet, 605014. Tel.: 91 413 265 5275. Price: Doubles: ₹ 3400-5500.
- It's not that close to the beach 2 Nalla Eco Beach Resort. Tel.: 91-413-2655686. From here on, the beach continues as a narrow strip to the north.Price: Doubles: ₹ 4000-5500.
- To the south
- Beyond the mouth of the Thengaitittu is the village 1 Veerampattinam with a long sandy beach.
- The luxury resort is located at its southern end, on the north bank of the Gingee Windflower, Survey No. 198/1, Manavely Revenue, Maraimalai Adigal St., Chinnaveeram Pattinam 605007. Price: Doubles: ₹ 6,270-16,200 (Tax), Children: ₹ 450.
- Probably the most touristy beach is the one further south 6 Paradise Beach. on a headland on the south bank at the mouth of the Gingee in the ocean. There are offers for boat trips in its Backwaters. Reachable from the city center in around 30 minutes by taxi.
- There are two luxury hostels here 3 Le Pondy, 3, Lake View Road, Nallvadu Post, Pudukuppam, 605007. Price: Single: ₹ 6600--16,200, Double: ₹ 7200--17,500, High Season (December-March) approx. 10%, over Christmas / New Years 25%; each plus tax and service.
- Some hotels also allow non-guests to use their pools for a fee. So (2015) demands that Athithi 450 ₹ per hour (8 a.m. to 7 p.m., after 4 p.m. only women and children), an amount that can be found in Mango Hill (already in Auroville) requested for the whole day. The Annamalai takes ₹ 160 for his small rooftop pool.
shop
- in the 1 Grand Bazaar, MG Road / J. Nehru St..
kitchen
There is especially in the White Town still a few French restaurants. There, emaciated meat eaters get their money's worth even after a long stay in India. A decent cup of coffee is also easily available.
At the stands in the area of Anna Salai and Lal Bahadur Shastri St. you can eat until after 11 p.m.
The canteen at the bus stand is not bad. Tip: Paper Dosa.
nightlife
Is limited. 8 or 9 p.m. is not an unusual closing time.
accommodation
(Prices that are very expensive for India, adapted to the big wallets of the mostly European guests, as of summer 2015. High season, a good quarter more expensive, is from the end of November to March.)
There are numerous accommodations on site. A substantial number of western tourists come to visit the nearby Auroville. Business-minded hoteliers therefore use the name Auro ... in the name of, but without, the business operations of Sri Aurobindo-Sect to be connected.
- The Sri Aurobindo Ashram connected
(No smoking or alcohol, no TV, bed rest 10.30 p.m.)
- Park Guest House, 1, Goubert Avenue (Beach Rd.). Open: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Cottage Guest House, 3, Rangapillai Street. Open: 8.30 a.m. - 12.00 p.m., 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
- New Guest House, 64, rue Romain Rolland. Open: 6.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Independent
- 5 MFull oon GH, 5, 10th Cross, Barakath Nagar, Kottakuppam. Tel.: 91 9600210094. Open: check-out: 10.30.Price: Single = Double: 800 ₹, Breakfast 200, Air conditioning extra from 300 ₹.
- Raj Lodge, 57, Rangapillai St.. is at the lower end of the scale in terms of dirt and odor nuisance even by Indian standards. The central location and large rooms don't make up for it either.Price: 600-700 Rs.
- 6 Santhi Inn, 57 Nehru St.. Tel.: 91 413 222 0946. in the Rooftop Bar & Grill you can really spend money until 11pm.Price: around € 25.
- A large number of inexpensive hotels are lined up around the New Bus stand. Since Puducherry is on the visit list of many western travelers, one is confronted here with the fairytale tellers and lucky knights who claim that these hotels are only for Indians and not for Europeans or similar nonsense. The price level of the hotels around the bus station is usually reasonable and should it not be so, there are numerous alternatives in the immediate vicinity.
health
- 5 General Hospital (directly south of the Bharathi Park afterwards).
- Resident doctors focus on the 13 Lal Bahadur Shastri St. between MG Road and Bharathi St.
Practical advice
- 6 Grand Bazar Police Station, J. Nehru St. (on the north side of the central bazaar). Tel.: 91 413 233 8876.
- France maintains a 7 Consulate General, 2, Marine Street. Tel.: 91 413 223 1000. which is also available to other EU citizens in an emergency.
- Area code: 0413
- Postal code: 605001 (city center) to… 006; Ozhukarai 605010.
- 8 Main post. Open: 10.00-17.00.
- 9 Post office, Corner of Francis Martin St. and Marine St..
trips
- The end of April / beginning of May takes place around the 14 Koothandavar Temple. in Koovalam, about fifty kilometers away, the largest meeting of Indian transsexuals (Hijra), which at this time also appeared in large numbers in Pondicherry. This is not an event aimed at tourists, but rather a “conference” of this discriminated minority (see also Sex Morality in India). It can then be difficult to find accommodation in the lower price segment.
- Temple complexes of Tiruvannamalai (= Arunachala) (Buses from Pondicherry). , a good 107 km away. It is an important Shiva temple. Its 66 m high gopuram, like the 1000-column hall, is richly decorated with reliefs.[1] The outlines of the temple building are illuminated at night by chains of colorful light bulbs. There are buses every half hour from here (37 km, 1.5 hours, ₹ 20) :.
- Founded in 1190, spread over three hills 15 Krishnagiri Fort (Gingee gone) (When arriving by bus, ask at the “Fort” to get off 2 km before the place.). changed hands several times in history, until the British took it over from the French, who had ruled here since 1750, in 1762. It is 67 km (80 min. By car) from Pondi.Open: 9.00-17.30.
- It says it on a hill on the opposite side about a kilometer away 7 Rajagiri Fort. including temple ruins. It is also worth seeing, but in better condition.
- A good four kilometers north of Gingee is the temple of Ranganatha on a hill 16 Singavaram. whose main portrait is an eight-meter-long reclining statue of the god.
- Karaikal (= Karikal), another piece of the Union Territory, is a good 130 km to the south. The area has around 200,000 inhabitants and is an important seaport. The natural one 7 urban beach. is one of the more beautiful India. The place can be reached by train on the routes from Chennai to Nagore, or Bengaluru to Tiruchchirapali.
- The centrally located hotel Kumaran, 18, Dr. Ambedkar Street, Karaikal, 609 602 (about 300 m inland from the train station, at the NH66). Tel.: 91 4368 228 348. is a pseudo-classical building in pink.Price: Double: 1850-2250 ₹.
- The place is the starting point for (bus) trips to Cauvery Delta and Tranquebar, the former Danish piece of India, where there is a corresponding museum.
- Cuddalore, 17 km south, is the little-noticed sister city of Pondi in Tamil Nadu. Buses run continuously between the bus stations in both cities. The Cuddalore bus station is here: 7 Cuddalore bus stand. On the way you cross several borders between the Union Territory and Tamil Nadu. Every now and then there are controls to prevent alcohol smuggling.
- The Padaleswarar Temple is less than a kilometer to the west of the bus station 17 Padaleswarar Temple in Cuddalore. in the Vijayanagar style. Temple musicians play during the pooja times Nadaswaram and Tavil on.
- To the east of the city is the Silver Beach. When the tide is out, a walk south across the almost deserted beach is worthwhile. This leads over an island, which, however, crosses a bridge to the west in the direction of Old Town Cuddalore (popularly known by the local population as OTC abbreviated) can be left again regardless of the tide.
- The little one is about 2 km north of the bus station on Hospital Road Government Museum.
literature
- Robert Dulau, Arno Gisinger: Pondichéry - Pondicherry. Paris 2007, ISBN 978-2-916506-03-6 , (Illustrated book)
- Reiner Youngest: Pondicherry: Traces of France in India. Geographische Rundschau, Vol. 66 (2014), 11, pp. 54-7
Web links
- Pondytourism (Dept. of Tourism)
- ↑See F.H. Gravely: Gopuras of Tiruvannamalai. Bulletin of the Madras Government Museum: General section; N.S., 7.5 (1959); 8 p., 13 plates.