Bastille Day
Introduction
Pondicherry experiences a background which is different from other parts of India. The place is itself a retreat; you can enjoy the blend of west and east which unites to form a new tradition. Pondicherry was under the French dominance for a period of 300 years. This created a French heritage in the society of Pondicherry. The land has experienced various historical significances as Pondicherry witnessed fierce battles between British and French in the by gone days. The rich history and heritage of Pondicherry is well evident in the fairs and festivals and in the culture.
Introduction
Pondicherry experiences a background which is different from other parts of India. The place is itself a retreat; you can enjoy the blend of west and east which unites to form a new tradition. Pondicherry was under the French dominance for a period of 300 years. This created a French heritage in the society of Pondicherry. The land has experienced various historical significances as Pondicherry witnessed fierce battles between British and French in the by gone days. The rich history and heritage of Pondicherry is well evident in the fairs and festivals and in the culture.
Description
Bastille Day, one of the main festivals in Pondicherry is also known as the ‘National Day of France’. Being an important French colony Pondicherry celebrates this day with great honor and pride. Located on the coast of Coromondal, Pondicherry was once the center of all French business and transactions in the southern part of India as well as in Asia. On the eve of the Bastille Day retired soldiers engage themselves in parade and celebrate the day with Indian and French National Anthems. On the day uniformed war soldiers march through the street to honor the French soldiers who were killed in the battles. You can perceive French and the Indian flag flying alongside that project the mishmash of cultures and heritages.
Time to celebrate
Bastille Day is celebrated with great honor, on 14th July Bastille Day is observed in Pondicherry when this small territory adorns and decorates herself to give a special tinge to the occasion. Being an important French colony, this day is calculated as one of the important dates in Pondicherry’s calendar.
French Food Festival
Introduction
Pondicherry is small piece of land located on the Coromondal coast of India. This tiny piece of land is the store house of various attractions and activities that tourist will surely enjoy and experience. Pondicherry is the best place where you can experience the blend of occidental and oriental cultures. A small enclave near Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry experiences Tamil heritage, whereas the French dominance gave it a wonderful merge of the ethnicity that marks every aspect of the place.
Description
Pondicherry was once the head quarter of French colony in South East Asia. The sophistication and the impression of French colony can be witnessed in various fields starting from delicacies to festivals to historical monuments. Every corner of the territory bears the example of French touches in this small piece of land. The light houses, the cottages, the churches still bear the heritage of France and illustrates the old tales of by gone days. Pondicherry is the best place where two cultures meet and adds diversity to the society of Pondicherry.
French Food Festival is one of the important festivals in Pondicherry. Gourmet, the food festival is an annual event and this festival is celebrated with display and magnificence. This festival is organized by Tourism department of Pondicherry and various French delicacies are prepared for the people who enjoy and experience the rich French cuisine. Tourists from different parts of the country come and visit this place during the festival. The diversity of culture is well evident in the festival.
Time to celebrate
French food festival is one of the main tourist attractions in Pondicherry. This festival takes place in the month of August.
Masimagam Festival
Introduction
Pondicherry is the small piece of land located near the state of Tamil Nadu. Pondicherry experiences a mishmash of culture where west and east blends to form a new culture. Pondicherry which was once a colony of French hosts various churches as well as various temples of Hindus. Masi Magam Festival is one of the main festivals that celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in Pondicherry.
Description
Masi Magam Festival is the annual festival that takes place on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Masi which falls in between February and March. In this festival various traditional customs are observed like deities from the neighboring temples are brought around Karaikal and many devotees come to take holy dip in the sea to cleanse all the sins. The most significant deity is Sowriraja Perumal of Thirukannapuram. The mythological tale is that Sowriraja Perumal was married to a woman of fisherman community and that made him to enter the fisherman village. The festival is observed on that occasion as the deity enters human society and people offers a hearty welcome to him.
Time to celebrate
This grand celebration takes place between the months of February and March which is the also known as Mashi according to Tamil calendar.
Villianur Temple Car Festival
Introduction
Pondicherry, on the Coromondal coast in India reflects a perfect blend of all cultures, religions and heritages. This Union Territory is the best place to experience the mishmash of the west and the east. There are various festivals and occasions that are celebrated here that paint the town with various colors. Villianur Temple Car Festival is one of the main festivals in Pondicherry. Pondicherry gives you the scope to enjoy all the festivals and the friendly nature of the locals and show you the true morale of the place where celebration never stops.
Description
Villianur Temple Car Festival is an ancient tradition about the famous deity named Thirukamemswara Kukilambal. On the occasion day the famous god is taken out for a procession in a decorated chariot. The long procession visits the local areas and then ends its journey in the temple. This chariot is pulled by the devotees and is regarded as one of the holiest traditions of pulling the sacred chariot. The festival is a typical Hindu custom where the devotees supply curd, rice, sandal, buttermilk and it is believed that their wishes are fulfilled by serving the crowd. These are the local beliefs which are very popular among the people of Pondicherry and neighboring states.
Time to celebrate
This festival takes place in the months of May and the date depends on the full moon and the local calendar.
Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo
Introduction
“Neither you nor anyone else knows anything at all of my life.” Sri Aurobindo said these words while he was describing life and its various aspects. Sri Aurobindo holds an eminent position in the Indian society. His works and aims in life showed a different path to the general people of India. Shri Aurobindo Ghosh was born in a Bengali family and he was admitted in a convent school named Loreto Convent Darjeeling. He was a brilliant scholar who completed his education from King’s college and from Cambridge University. He acquired proficiencies in foreign languages like German, French, Spanish and English. The famous Aurobindo ashram is located in this territory and that makes it a favorite destination for his devotees. The Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo is celebrated on the 15th of August with great pride and is regarded as one of the grand occasions of Pondicherry.
Description
In the year 1906, Sri Aurobindo became the principal of National University in Calcutta. At that phase of time Aurobindo engaged himself in the freedom Movement against British rule in India. Sri Aurobindo was born on 15th August and still today this day is observed with dignity and pride. The date overlaps with the Independence Day of India. The Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo is still celebrated with majesty and dignity. Both Kolkata and Pondicherry celebrate this day. On 15th August various devotees and tourists come and pay their visit to the great personality who is a sage, philosopher and patriot. The day is celebrated with grand occasion at Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry. This event is regarded as one of the main event in Pondicherry when tourists from every part of the world come and visit the holy Ashram.
Time to celebrate
Shri Aurobindo’s birth anniversary is celebrated with munificence all over India. Pondicherry holds an eminent position as he had spent few years in this place. Pondicherry and the ashram celebrate the event in grandeur and pageantry.
Fete De Pondicherry
Introduction Fete De Pondicherry
Pondicherry is a store house of varieties. The mishmash of culture and heritage can be witnessed in this tiny piece of land. The land not only bears a rich historical significance but also stands out for its cultural heritage. Pondicherry was under the French dominance for 300 years which created a merge of customs and ethnicity. Various traditions, art and culture unite to form one that attracts tourists from every corner of the world.
Description
After achieving freedom from French dominance, the government of Pondicherry organizes the Fete De Pondicherry to celebrate the liberation of Pondicherry from any foreign dominance. The occasion takes place for three days and these days are celebrated with great pomp and grandeur. Different music and dance performances are organized to affirm the example of Pondicherry’s rich culture. Various categories of performances, competitions and other exhibition programs make the celebration a grand one. This fete is a cultural pageant and the Park Monument with its wonderfully decorated lights look splendid and all the celebrations take place in the nearby area.
Time to celebrate
The fete is celebrated annually on the occasion of liberation day and the Independence Day of Pondicherry and India respectively. From August 15th to August 17th the days are regarded as the Fete De Pondicherry and this create a heavy inflow of tourists in the Union Territory. Pondicherry is a well equipped with all the kinds of hotels and resorts that accommodate various tourists with different budgets.
Pongal in Pondicherry
Introduction
Pongal is one of the main festivals in the southern states of India, and Pondicherry is not the exceptional one. Pongal is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in this little piece of land. The first day of the New Year is observed with great celebration. Pondicherry is no exceptional and this makes it more special and significant among the other festivals of Pondicherry.
Description
Pongal is the festival of New Year in the southern states of India. The state is a mixture various cultures and the local people observe this festival with great splendor. Pongal is the onset of a New Year and in this union territory welcomes this fresh New Year with various traditional customs. Pongal is celebrated from 13th to 16th January. The first day of the festival is known as Bhogi day. During this celebration the people of Pondicherry decorate their house with various patterns named as Kolum and welcome a new year with new clothes. The second day is named as Surya day. The day begins with the worship of the Sun god. The days are celebrated with various recipes and various other customs like visiting near and dear ones’ place.
Time to celebrate
Pongal is celebrated with great pleasure and this grand occasion tales place in the 13th to 16th January of every year. Pondicherry takes a different shape when she looks wonderful with great decoration and air of celebration all over the place.
