It has almost become a second home for me. Every since I had visited this place a few years ago, a strange liking had developed in me towards this little piece of France – that is Pondicherry. In the cool comfort of a company guest – house, I always enjoy taking a look at this beautiful city. And always it used to be a fresh experience for me.

Pondicherry is just 165 kms from Chennai. Travelling by bus is convenient and time saving. After the opening up of the East Coast Road, it has become easier and pleasant. With the azure Bay of Bengal playing ‘hide and seek’ in between the many coconut groves all along on your left, the nearly three hour journey is really enjoyable. Kovalam, Muttukadu, Mamallapuram, Kalpakkam are some of the places en route.

Call it the French connection, the skilfully planned oval shaped township with streets aligned at right angles, a legacy of the French planners, with all its imposing monuments like the statues of Dupleix and Joan of Arc, attract many visitors throughout the year.

We can even call it a week – end escape for the busy Chennaites. With its serene atmosphere, Pondicherry still maintains its old charm amidst modern developments. Added to this, is the fact that Aurobindo Ashram and the beautiful little beach combine to make this place a fascinating destination. Lingering French influence can still be noticed by the quaint spellings on sign boards, policeman’s red ‘kepis’, and names of the roads and streets.

History records this place as the centre of Anglo – French conflicts for almost 300 years and later as the retreat of the Indian freedom fighters, including Aurobindo and poet Bharathi. Pondicherry was restored to India in 1954.

synthesizing yoga and modern science, to make life more beautiful. When his life was made miserable in British Calcutta, Aurobindo moved to French Pondicherry and founded the Ashram which gave shape to his ideals.The Mother, a Paris born painter – musician and Aurobindo’s close companion developed the Ashram. For her many devotees around the world, she remains a guiding spirit. One can see the devotees silently meditating near Mother’s samadhi. The Ashram runs some shops and cottage industries, a school and an International Centre.

For me, a trip to Pondicherry will not be complete, without a visit to Matri Mandir, at Auroville. It was the dream of the Mother. Auroville is an experiment in international living. It is still in the making, about 10 kms from Pondicherry on the Tamilnadu border. Utter silence maintained in the place is conducive to meditate in peace. But one has to get special permission to meditate in the A.C. hall that is set up in the elevated structure. The structure itself is an architectural marvel.

The houses where the two great Tamil poets, Subramanya Bharathi and Bharathi Dasan (who was also born here), lived, have been made Memorial Museums. Some of Bharathi’s finest patriotic and romantic compositions were born here.

On the way to the beach, is the Government Museum that provides a glimpse of Pondicherry’s glorious past. The display includes the Arikamedu findings which are testimony to the Indo – Roman trade relations that existed two thousand years ago, sculptures, weapons, handicrafts and art. It is a treasure trove of antiques, which is housed in rooms which are in typical French style.

There are a number of temples and churches in and around Pondicherry including the famous Manakkula Vinayakar temple where poet Bharathi used to worship.

For the fun loving, there is Chunnambar, a beach and backwater resort, which is seven kilometers from here, on the way to Cuddalore. The place is a unique picnic spot, with the right mixture of fun, sports, calm and beauty. There are facilities for boating at the Boat House. The three tree top houses here offer a different kind of experience.

Sightseeing tours are organised by PT & TDC in and around Pondicherry every day. There are a number of good hotels, which provide decent accommodation at fair rates.