Pondicherry's seaside resorts have a special ambience, not felt anywhere
else in India. It is a blend of spiritual aura, French
colonial heritage, Tamil culture and the cosmopolitan
flair of many nationalities in a small but varied town.The
inherent ambience of Pondy, as it is fondly called,
becomes most evident in the oldest part of the town
which flanks the seashore boulevard. Colonial buildings,
some which trace back to the 18th century, line
a grid of straight clean streets and house the French
institutions, private homes and businesses, and the
sprawling premises of the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
The visitor is greeted by mellow colours of cream, yellow,
pink and grey with flamboyant bougainvillae bursting
over gates and compound walls of cool courtyards |
