The Promenade

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.