The difference is quite evident as
we enter into the jurisdiction. It is a tiny Union territory with a history that
is extremely opposite of its size. It is
famous for the French colonies. It is also the home to the people who seek direction
in life and desire inner peace. True to the words, shape and size doesn’t
matter for this small Union territory Pondicherry. A welcome home to people
from various spheres of life. The
weather was close to perfect that day. Christmas would have been the right time
to view the fun and frolic, but Diwali was no less celebrated. We crossed a lot of important and high profile
Government buildings before we the most awaited hit our eyes, The Beach. The
Promenade beach, literally. It is one
of a kind. A stretch of 1.5kms that can awe any person. The bright sun and his
rays dance on the water spread over the infinite expanse below. The blue in the
water, the clear blue sky. Rightly said blue is the only color which maintains
its characters in all its tones. It will always stay blue. The waves were
neither too low nor too high. They would hit the rocks. And before they calm
down before the next wave can repeat the cycle.
The best way to explore this place is on foot.
One can sit on the rocks and be lost in the
sea of thoughts like the endless water in front. Find oneself or lose oneself
in the flow of thoughts. The best time to be there would be the sunrise. As the
Orange ball of flame rises from under the ocean and ascends slows it transcends
into a golden yellow ball, spreading flamboyantly its rays below. Late in the
evening would be perfect to walk in the esplanade as the sun goes into hiding
and the creation of man takes on the show. The lights illuminate to wonder if
it was more vivid in the day or the night. The habour in the artificial lights
is just as wonderful to watch as it is under the sun. Protruding in to sea,
standing out, all alone it seems to await the arrival of someone to eliminate
its solitude.
As one side of the Promenade is the host to
the beach with Gandhi statue and War memorial. There are lanes that diverge and
take us into the French homeland. Right from the names of the lanes to the
building and architectural marvels with huge French windows the smell of France
fills the air. A slice of France with the right mix of India in it. The lanes
are perpendicular to one another and perfectly planned. In one of the lanes is
the famous Ganesh temple and in the lane nearby is the Aurobindho Ashram.
Silence, serenity and spirituality in the place are felt while stepping in.
Auroville
is a place that is known to people across the globe. And on reaching there one
realizes the reason. The humongous township stands as a testament for its
reputation. The notion itself is so noble to place oneself above the man made
differentiators and dividers like caste creed and race. The activities under
taken to persevere nature by simple, steady ways and provide employment to
people is worth noting and taking lessons from.
