Ahmed
puducherry blue city
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Explore PONDICHERRY
Explore PONDICHERRY
PUDUCHERRY – THE FRENCH RIVIERA OF THE EAST
The Union Territory of Pudhucherry (earlier Pondicherry)
comprises of the four unconnected, erstwhile French settlements of
Pudhucherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. While Karaikal lies 150 km south
of Pudhucherry on the east coast, Mahe is on the Malabar Coast and
Yanam in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. As you travel
down the scenic East Coast road you hit Pudhucherry about 160 kms
south of Chennai on the Coromandel Coast. It is bound on the east by the
Bay of Bengal and by South Arcot District of Tamil Nadu on the other
three sides. Pudhucherry traces its origin to Sage Agasthya. Its
shores have also been home to different cultures, from the Romans to the
French, who ruled for 300 years. Today, it exudes a charming picture
Geography
Puducherry consists of four unconnected districts: Puducherry,
Karaikal, and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea.
Puducherry and Karaikal are by far the larger ones, and are both
enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh
and Kerala, respectively. The territory has a total area of 492 km²:
Puducherry (city) 293 km2 (113 sq mi), Karaikal 160 km2 (62 sq mi),
Mahé 9 km2 (3.5 sq mi) and Yanam 30 km2 (12 sq mi).
FRENCH INFLUENCE
Puducherry still retains much evidence of its history as a French
colony. The design of the city was based on the French. The entire
town is divided into two sections, the French Quarter ('Ville Blanche'
or 'White town') and the Indian quarter ('Ville Noire' or 'Black
Town'). The history of French India is led by Joseph Francois Dupleix,
governor general of the French establishment in India, and rival of
Robert Clive. Dupleix was primarily responsible for the Carnatic Wars.
At first Dupleix was successful in resisting the attacks of the
English East India Company, but he lost in the later battles.
There is also French influence in the layout of the city. The numbering of the houses is unique compared to other cities in Tamil Nadu, in that all with the even numbers are on one side and the odd number are on the opposite side of the road.
There is also French influence in the layout of the city. The numbering of the houses is unique compared to other cities in Tamil Nadu, in that all with the even numbers are on one side and the odd number are on the opposite side of the road.
History
According to mythologies and legends, Pondicherry was once the
dwelling place for the great Hindu sage Agastya. It was a major Vedic
centre and was called as Vedapuri. Excavations at Arikamedu have
revealed that there was a possibility that this could have been a
port town and there might be a Roman rule and settlement here before
2000 years. It had trade links with Rome and Greece that continued
till the period of the Cholas during the 10th and the 11th century. The
Pallavas, the Pandiyas, the Muslim rulers also invaded and ruled
over this place for quite some time.
Historical uniqueness
In the early 16th century the Portuguese established their supremacy
in Pondicherry. They ruled for a while. Then the Dutch and the French
people entered this place for trade reasons and then started ruling
this territory. In 1673 the French started ruling the territory.
During the rule of the French in Pondicherry there were several minor
conflicts and battles fought between the French and the Britishers to
capture Pondicherry. After several conflicts finally both the countries
came to a conclusion and an agreement was signed where Pondicherry
was given back to the French by the Britishers. In the year 1954,
Pondicherry was retained back to India by the French.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Pondy - Access & Communication :
Airport:
Nearest Domestic and International Airport is in Chennai (Madras). Distance from Chennai to Pondicherry is around 162 Kms and the travel time by road takes from 3 to 4 hours.
Railways:
There is a meter gauge railway line between Villupuram and Pondicherry and its origin may be traced back to 1869. The first passenger train started in Pondicherry on 14.10.1879. There is only one railway station between Pondicherry and Villupuram at Villianur. However, journey by train to and from Chennai (Madras) is not very popular, as people prefer bus journey as the train journey takes long hours. Railway Station Phone number: 2336684
Road:
Pondicherry is well connected to all districts and major towns of various states like Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andrapradesh.
Route to Pondicherry from Chennai by road:
Chennai -> Chengalpattu -> Tindivanam -> Pondicherry
Public Transport: One of the best Inter-State bus systems caters to the needs of travelers to and from Chennai (Madras) and Bangalore. The State Transport Express buses (Pondicherry, Tamilnadu, Andrapradesh, Karnataka and Kerala) and also many private buses operate in Pondicherry connecting with Chennai, Bangalore, Thirupathi, Mahe and Karaikal.
Bus Stand Tel: 2333004.
Nearest Domestic and International Airport is in Chennai (Madras). Distance from Chennai to Pondicherry is around 162 Kms and the travel time by road takes from 3 to 4 hours.
Railways:
Route to Pondicherry from Chennai by road:
Chennai -> Chengalpattu -> Tindivanam -> Pondicherry
Public Transport: One of the best Inter-State bus systems caters to the needs of travelers to and from Chennai (Madras) and Bangalore. The State Transport Express buses (Pondicherry, Tamilnadu, Andrapradesh, Karnataka and Kerala) and also many private buses operate in Pondicherry connecting with Chennai, Bangalore, Thirupathi, Mahe and Karaikal.
Bus Stand Tel: 2333004.
Pondicherry - Region Profile
French dreams of an Indian Empire began and ended in Pondicherry. But in the scattered territories of the Union Territory of Pondicherry there remains what little there is left of the French influence in India and that makes the territory, especially its headquarters, Pondicherry, unique, something quite different from the rest of India.
The Union Territory of Pondicherry comprises of 4 coastal regions viz- Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam . Pondicherry and Karaikal are situated on the East Coasts in Tamil Nadu, Yanam in Andra Pradesh and Mahe on the West Coast in Kerala.
Pondicherry is the Capital of this Union Territory. It is on the east coast about 162 kms south of Chennai ( Madras ) located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.
Union Territory (UT) name | Pondicherry |
UT Capital name | Pondicherry |
Total Number of Regions | Four |
Name of the Regions | Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe & Yanam |
Location Details | |
Pondicherry & Karaikal | East Coast in Tamil Nadu |
Yanam | East Coast in Andra Pradesh |
Mahe | West Coast in Kerala |
Languages Spoken | |
Regional Languages | Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. |
Other Languages | English and French |
Phone Details: | |
Country Code for India | 91 |
Area Code for Pondicherry | 0413 |
Area Code for Karaikal | 04368 |
Area Code for Mahe | 0490 |
Area Code for Yanam | 0884 |
Currency Rate to Indian Rupees | Click here |
Climate | Tropical |
Like most ancient cities, the origin of Pondicherry lies buried in legends. It could have been the mythical 'Podhigai' said to have been the sacred abode of the legendary Sage Agusthia or it could be-the now forgotten 'Vedhapuri', a settlement of scholars well-versed in the vedas.
Excavations in the Arikamedu area near Pondicherry have brought to light the remains of a trading port which had connections with the Greeko-Roman world more than a century before the down of the Christian Era. You will be bound to see the glorious remains of Arikamedu excavations in the Archaeology section of the Pondicherry Museum.
We can find references to Poduke, a port town on the coromandal coast, in History. The identification of a Roman trading centre in the immediate vicinity of Pondicherry adds weight to the equation of 'Poduke' with Pondicherry. Although this has been suggested by more than one writer, the equation of 'Poduke' with 'Puduvai' the name by which the town was known in the early days, seems to be more acceptable. According to tradition, the town was once upon a time an abode of scholars well versed in the Vedas and hence came to be known as Vedapuri. Interestingly, during the days of Ottakoothar and Kambar in the 11th and 12th centuries, Puducherry was known in its shortened form as 'Puthuvai'. The Hindus called the town Puthuvai or Puducherry while the Muslims called it Pulcheri. The Portugese ‘Puducheria’ became the Danish ‘Polesere’ and the Dutch 'Pollochire'. But it was the French merchants who mixed up the 'U' for 'N' and transformed "Puducheri" into "Pondicheri". This region assumed the name Pondicherry in due course. Pondicherry otherwise known as 'Poudoucheri' was under Vijayanagar Empire during 14th and 15th centuries. Then it passed to the hands of the Naiks of Thanjavur in the beginning of 16th century, and then came under the rule of Bijapur sultan.
By about 16th century, the Portugese and Danish also used the place as a trading centre. The first Frenchman set his foot in ‘Puduchery’ on 4.2.1673 and till 1690 the French were interested mainly in trade and commerce activities. The name of the place was changed to ‘Pondicherry’ from 'Poudoucheri' by the French. In a war between the French and the Dutch, the former was defeated and Pondicherry came under Dutch rule between 1693 and 1699. In September 1699, the French became the legal owners of the Pondicherry town on payment of 16000 pagodas to the Dutch. The Nawab Dawood Khan, representative of Aurangazeb, donated Kalapet village in 1703 to Francois Martin for getting supply of timber from the forests surrounding it for construction of houses. In 1706, he had further transferred 5 more villages viz. Ozhukarai, Murungapakkam, Olandai, Pakkamudaiyanpet and Karuvadi-kuppam to the French. In 1711, the French government at Paris recognized the importance of Pondicherry town and established a sovereign counsel to aid and advise them in the administration of the colony. Francois Martin was the virtual builder of Pondicherry towns during span of 33 years of his administration here. In 1740, Pondicherry provided asylum to the royal refugees of the ruler of the Karnatic when marattas invaded him. Consequently, the Marattas attacked the French for this gesture but was defeated. In gratification of the gesture, the survivors of the Karnatic dynasty gifted Ariankuppam, Theduvanatham, and Villianur to the French.
Pondy - Geographical Features:
By about 16th century, the Portugese and Danish also used the place as a trading centre. The first Frenchman set his foot in ‘Puduchery’ on 4.2.1673 and till 1690 the French were interested mainly in trade and commerce activities. The name of the place was changed to ‘Pondicherry’ from 'Poudoucheri' by the French. In a war between the French and the Dutch, the former was defeated and Pondicherry came under Dutch rule between 1693 and 1699. In September 1699, the French became the legal owners of the Pondicherry town on payment of 16000 pagodas to the Dutch. The Nawab Dawood Khan, representative of Aurangazeb, donated Kalapet village in 1703 to Francois Martin for getting supply of timber from the forests surrounding it for construction of houses. In 1706, he had further transferred 5 more villages viz. Ozhukarai, Murungapakkam, Olandai, Pakkamudaiyanpet and Karuvadi-kuppam to the French. In 1711, the French government at Paris recognized the importance of Pondicherry town and established a sovereign counsel to aid and advise them in the administration of the colony. Francois Martin was the virtual builder of Pondicherry towns during span of 33 years of his administration here. In 1740, Pondicherry provided asylum to the royal refugees of the ruler of the Karnatic when marattas invaded him. Consequently, the Marattas attacked the French for this gesture but was defeated. In gratification of the gesture, the survivors of the Karnatic dynasty gifted Ariankuppam, Theduvanatham, and Villianur to the French.
Pondy - Geographical Features:
The map of this region presents more or less a flat land. There are no hills or forests in this region. The main soil types in this region are red ferrallitic, black clay and coastal alluvial.
Pondicherry is the Capital of this Union Territory. It is on the east coast about 162 kms south of Chennai ( Madras ) located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.
The Union Territory of Pondicherry comprises of 4 coastal regions viz- Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam .
Pondicherry and Karaikal are situated on the East Coasts in Tamil Nadu, Yanam on the East Coast in Andra Pradesh and Mahe on the West Coast in Kerala.
Pondicherry region is located on the coromandal coast between 11 degree 46' and 12 degree 30' of north latitude and between 79 degree 36' and 79 degree 52' of east longitude. Its boundary on the east is the Bay of Bengal and on the other 3 sides is Cuddalore & Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu State.
This is not a contiguous area but interspersed with some parts of Cuddalore and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu state. It presents a picture of scattered parts enclosed within Cuddalore and Villupuram districts.
The lay out of Pondicherry region described above which is located within Tamil Nadu presents a peculiar picture of territorial jurisdiction, perhaps the only one of its kind in the world. The historical reasons, which prompted the French and the British to limit their territories in the intermingling manner, are not known.
Languages and Religion:
Main languages spoken in the region are Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. English and French are other languages, which are spoken by a considerable number of people.
Majorities of the people are Hindus. There are quite a number of Christians and Muslims, whereas very few Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.
Sunday, 28 August 2011
puducherry ( art gallery,hand craft and music) shop details
Art Gallery |
650 4607 | |
222 2795 | |
420 9610 |
Dance |
221, Mission street | 234 2036 |
89, Thiruvalluvar salai, Ayyanar Nagar | 224 6005 |
224 4111 | |
25, 2nd cross, Ayyanar Nagar | 224 1561 |
Music |
221, Mission street | 234 2036 |
224 4111 | |
234 2036 | |
266 0190 | |
421 0242 | |
222 1582 | |
25, 2nd cross, Ayyanar Nagar | 224 1561 |
222 3533 | |
233 4650 | |
234 5043 | |
234 5513 | |
222 0381 | |
420 0320 | |
222 6495 | |
420 0672 | |
222 7009 | |
420 0420 | |
94432 47171 | |
233 6873 | |
420 0397 | |
222 0025 | |
420 0420 |
Flute |
221, Mission street | 234 2036 |
Tabla |
48, Francois Martin street, Kuruchikuppam | 222 2245 |
Vocal Music |
2,Avocate Chinnathambi street, Kuruchikuppam | 222 2245 |
Sitar |
2,Avocate Chinnathambi street, Kuruchikuppam | 233 9502 |
Handicrafts & Boutiques |
233 4354 | |
233 7109 | |
222 2245 | |
222 5879 | |
450 0005 | |
222 0634 | |
420 0797 / 222 6010 | |
222 2842 | |
222 2568 | |
222 1600 | |
233 0470 | |
420 1124 | |
234 3332 | |
233 9166 | |
222 2963 / 2953 | |
222 6352 | |
233 8948 | |
222 2470 | |
233 7264 | |
222 4776 | |
'Anna Arcade' 152, Maraimalaiadigal salai | 420 7001 |
- | |
420 0258 | |
Goubert salai (opp.Gandhi statue) | 233 1636 |
233 0711 | |
420 0600 | |
222 4827 | |
234 5043 | |
222 3319 |
Leather crafts |
233 4727 | |
233 9351 | |
224 4190 | |
222 6495 | |
122, Bussy street 127, Canteen street | 222 7607 226 0067 |
Antiques |
223 5790 | |
550 4607 | |
420 0312 | |
233 2395 | |
233 3031 | |
420 0392 | |
222 2963 | |
36, Dumas street (near Beach Road) | 420 1518 |
223 8695 | |
222 7142 | |
400, M.G.Road (near Bharathidasan College) | - |
222 8833 / 550 2021 |
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