Pondicherry (and nicknamed Pondy), is a former French colony, consisting of four non-contiguous enclaves, or regions, and named after the largest region, Pondicherry. Karaikal, Mahé, Yanam were the four non-contigous enclaves of Puducherry.
The cityhas many colonial buildings, churches, temples, and statues, which, combined with the systematic town planning and the well planned French style avenues, still preserve much of the colonial ambience.
Auroville – or the ‘City of Dawn ‘ – was conceived as a place of research into the ideal of human unity by the Mother, the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo.
The most popular tourist destinations are the four beaches in Pondicherry, which are Promenade Beach, Paradise Beach, The Auroville Beach and Serenity Beach. Sri Aurobindo Ashram located on rue de la Marine, is one of the best-known ashrams in India.
