We took this trip sometime in January 2016 to visit our daughter who is currently doing her research there. The trip was short but memorable.
Puducherry is divided between the White Town or the French section and the Tamil section. One would probably find the maximum number of French speaking Indians here than anywhere else in the south east Asia. It’s both a picturesque town as well as like any other town in India, crowded, unorganised and chaotic traffic. Puducherry effortlessly lives through this dichotomy or better, the duality of order and chaos, elegance and ordinary, black and white ….
We were there during Pongal Festival and this is what we saw at a village near AurovilleI loved the way this man was playing the drumall the cows were dressed in their fineries but they were really scared with all the sound and crowdwe took a trip to auroville but sadly due to pongal, everything was closed
the golden globe of the Matrimandir at auroville
The town:
A beautifully maintained example of French Architecture in the White Townyes, the roads in the white town do look this lovelya park near Aurobindo Ashrameveryday the hotel staff would put this very colourful rangoli or Kolam in Tamil, in front of the gate. In fact, the entire Puducherry town has very colourful kolams in front of the buildings
the hotel where we stayedinlay work in one of the buildings
the french library of the extreme orientanother beautiful roadand another
And, now the sea …..
enjoying the seaa government office in the erstwhile lighthouse!French war memorial for all the soldiers who died in World War IThe promenade which is on Goubert Avenue, is closed for vehicular traffic everyday from 6 p.m to 7.30 a.m the next day, so that people can walk and enjoy the beach. wonderful, no?another smaller beach nearbysunrisei loved the way the colour of the water turned slightly copperishmorning stroll on the promenade on Goubert Avenue
and now, my favourite, the food:
I had asked for a masala dosa and this is what I got. don’t ignore the tomato rose!The White part of the town is full of lovely restaurants which serve both Indian and French cuisineenjoying the evening in a spirited waylunch at famous surguru restaurant
this is apparently the most famous mutton samosa and paya soup place in puducherry
Sarbari I live in Bangalore, India, and by profession, I am CEO of a consulting organization, a Gender & Diversity Consultant and an Executive Coach. I write because I like writing. However, sometimes it makes sense to convey my thoughts to others and connect with others. Maybe it strikes a chord; perhaps it does not.
My life has been my most outstanding teacher, which is why I like sharing my experiences, memories, encounters and other narratives that I build as I go along.
I am interested in people, society, culture, ways of life, individual and collective narratives/stories as they lead us to discover each other as nothing else does.
I also write about coaching, people's lives, culture, stories, mothering my daughter, believing in a feminine way of life, and most of all, believe that all politics starts from the self and personal convictions
4 thoughts on “Puducherry – through photos”
Good. Some pics of the Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry would complete the travelogue.
Yes Daniel, we were there only for two days and I had not taken my camera, so iPhone 6 came to my rescue and wanted to really savour the place!! Thank you for visiting my blog.
Sarbari's Blog 
Good. Some pics of the Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry would complete the travelogue.
LikeLike
They don’t allow photography near or inside the Ashram unfortunately.
LikeLike
you covered a lot 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Daniel, we were there only for two days and I had not taken my camera, so iPhone 6 came to my rescue and wanted to really savour the place!! Thank you for visiting my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person