Experience the best of captivating pondicherry vacation package
Find perfect blend of the old colonial charm of the French and the native colors of hinterland at curious little town of Pondicherry. Exciting pondicherry vacation package takes you to the lovely city seemingly with own guardian sea. Amiable Pondicherry Travel Guide will never let you miss the finest nooks of Tourist Places of Pondicherry like the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Auroville.
In 1673 the Frenchmen the angler village of Puliceri as a trading post. It was there they tried to break the supremacy of the British East India Company. They fought three wars with the British – the Carnatic Wars – and tried to banish away the Britishers. However, in 1756, French were uprooted, and with that, the Britishers were able to expand their post to one of the most important places in that "British imperial India ". However, by signing the treaty of Paris, Frenchmen were allowed to carry on their dominance over Pondicherry and some nearby towns.
In almost 3 centuries of their presence, Pondicherry has been influenced strongly in all spheres of life by the French culture. In addition, when the colonial times are passed away (France gave back India in 1954 Pondicherry and its other possessions on the Indian subcontinent), today one still finds many traces of French culture, especially in the eastern part of the city. The houses, some churches, the menu in some restaurants, the uniforms of the police and the French lute reflect the past.
The Bengali Sri Aurobindo Ghosh, a fighter for the Indian independence, established an Ashram (a place of retreat, at which gurus (teachers) and student together live, work and meditate) in the 20th century, when Pondicherry was still a French colony. He did this together with the Frenchwoman Mira Arfassa. She undertook the spiritual direction of the Ashram after his retraction and later death. As "The Mother" (died in 1973) she established together with international organizations (for example, UNESCO) and prominent personalities in 1968 the city Auroville (10 km north of Pondicherry), an "international experiment, by which humans can live in harmony and peace, independent of beliefs, politics and national affiliations". In the middle of the settlement stand a Banyan tree and the Matrimandir, the spiritual meditation center of Auroville.
From the ideas of the Bengali freedom fighter and philosopher Sri Aurobindo Ghosh, who fled away because of the besetment through the Englishmen into the that time French possession of Pondicherry, and the Frenchwoman Mirra Alfassa, well known as the 'Mother', emerged this city of Auroville conceived for 50,000 inhabitants of the future. On February 28 1968 the building of the spiral city designed around a globular meditation center began, and today it’s home to 4,000 part-time inhabitants, and about 700 permanent inhabitants. The center consists of the 'Matrimandir', the spiritual center of meditation and an old Banyan tree (ape tail tree). The building of the Matrimandir is supported by the Indian government.
The future city is divided into four central sectors: a residential district, a cultural center, a production zone and an international zone, that should be surrounded by a green belt, which also includes the biological agriculture. The building of this experimental, international city is supported by different organizations including UNESCO. After the death of the mother, and a financial audit in 1980 which showed misappropriation of about 10 million rupees, the Indian central government overtook the administration of Auroville with assent of the Aurovillaner. Because the Aurovillaner are building the Matrimandir themselves, the building construction slowed and after ten years construction time, the backbone of Matrimandir was completed. The interior construction is also finished. By now, there are altogether 40 smaller and larger settlements.
Many visitors are belied about the fact that from a 'spiritual center' there is very little to feel. The Aurovillaner also admit openly that they are too busy with the problems of the daily life to offer what the city was originally planned to be. What is amazing is the greening of this zone out of the desert steppes. The number of the permanent inhabitants is increasing, and biogas concern is being addressed to keep the environment clean and healthy.
During a visit, visit an Auroville-plan in La boutique d' Auroville, 12 Jawaharlal Nehru streets, Pondicherry. The boutique is the single official information place in Pondicherry. You can also purchase items in Auroville. If you ever considered living permanently in Auroville, you must undergo the following: The first 3 months are counted as a guest, after that 9 months as a 'Newcomer'. After the first year, the accommodation as a permanent inhabitant is possible, and there is a possibility to construct your own house.
The largest settlement in Auroville is 'Aspiration', with approximately 100 inhabitants. Aspiration is the pedagogic center of Auroville. Besides a kindergarten, school, library, health center and sport center, numerous businesses are established here. The neighboring Fraternity, with weaving and carpenter’s workshop, is the craft center of Auroville.
Why Us? For Classic Holidays Services and Plus Points Click Here
For India Travel Tips and Details Click Here
