Page 9 - Diving In India Demo

eventually gained control of the whole of India in the 1850s, they let Pondicherry along with a couple of other French seOlement to be ruled by the French. Pondicherry became part of India in 1954, and in 1963 it was named as a Union Territory.
Cultural influence:
The plan of the city of Pondicherry is based on the French grid paOern and features perpendicular streets. Many streets retain French names and villas in French architectural style are a common sight. There are also many Indian styled houses lined with verandas and with large doors and grills. An organisa3on called INTACH protects these Indian and French styled houses. The French language is s3ll spoken by quite a few residents in Pondicherry, and one can also find many restaurants and eateries with menu and signs in French.
Tourism:
• Temples - Pondicherry is a hub for many na3onal and interna3onal tourists. One can also
no3ce the magnificence of several Shiva temples built by the Chola dynasty. There are also several temples, churches, monuments, parks and mosques which aOract tourists.
• Sri Aurobindo Ashram - was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo has a community consis3ng of more than 2000 people. The ashram is not only a quiet place of retreat but a vibrant centre of life in a modern urban sekng. Many tourists from across the globe come here to provide their services in any one of the several departments managed by the Ashram.
• Auroville - Another exci3ng aOrac3on for the tourists is a small experimental township called Auroville. This is an experiment started by The Mother in 1968 to create a township consis3ng of people from all around the world living together in harmony with the objec3ve of realising human unity in diversity. Auroville is also concerned with the research into sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of humankind.
• Beaches - Rock beach, Paradise beach, Auro beach, Serenity beach
• Fun ac3vi3es - Scuba diving with Temple Adventures, surfing in Serenity beach with Kallialay Surf School or Mother Ocean, boat ride to Paradise beach with Chunnambar boat house
Another major aOrac3on is "Ousteri wetland and na3onal park". This is a water body spread over an area of 3 km and aOracts many migratory birds.
• Other major a[rac3ons:
1. The statue of Joan Arc in front of the church on Dumas street
2. The Art department for people interested in Arts
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