The Little Nuances of South India and my trip to Pondicherry

Last weekend i went to B'lore my hometown and my family gave me a spot offer to have a trip of Pondicherry. Befor i come to my description of Pondycherry, would like to share few subtle things about South India in particular Karnataka,TN and AP. Iam exluding Kerala purely on the basis of its demographic composition and my inexposure to it.

• Its amazing how these states are so particular about their local langauge. I can bet the moment you cross even 10 steps on either side of the border seperating Blore and Hosur(the first town in TN on the way to Pondicherry) that you can observe the change in the script of placards ,shops boards, Bus Boards.
• Most people in Karnataka prefer to put a small red teeka in the forhead but in TN one can mostly observe a white vibhuti.
• 'Sambhar' in Karnataka taste a lot sweeter as compared to the one in TN. But Andhra score here in the sheer synonymity of its cuisine to being 'hot n chilly'
• Minorities in Karnataka and Andhra mostly converse in Hindi but in TN they converse in Tamil.
• Usage of 'Hindi' in TN seemed to be a taboo unlike its other two neighbours.
• Busses in TN are jazzy and flaimboyant in colour with music in a very high pitch.

Coming to my trip to Pondicherry,i was under the impression that the KSTDC bus which i boarded shall take us via Madras but to my sheer surprise we reached our destination in a cool 6 hrs. With b'lore getting dilapidated with every passing day perhaps its location in terms of proximity to almost any place in South India seems to be its only last truimph card.

Pondicherry would be carrying approx 1.2 mn heads,has an extremely beautiful and serene 1.5 km long beach. It has also got some really nice churches and Temples(yes,i wrote temples).Beleive me the 'Panchmukhi Anjaney' temple when completed shall be a masterpeice to visit.

I heard a lot about the french architecture of Pondicherry and one has to see to beleive it. I mean its so beautiful and coupled with the soothing sea breezes its a treat to your pupil.Aurobindo Ashram is also there next to the beach. The ubiquitous peace there reminded me of the lotus temple in delhi.

Another must-see is "AuroVille'. Its a village entirely inhabited by foreigners .In the centre of Auroville there is a 'Matra Mandir' a big sphere which has a base of clay collected from approx 150 countries and all the indian states. The place is a felicitation of mankind and is being build with finesse acoustics. Can easily be termed as an utopia for meditation.

Just near to the beach -say approx 2 km is Nehru Road. This road is the MG road of pondicherry.There is a huge market with all types of goods ranging from textiles,kitchen ware, white goods,eateries et al.

How to go Pondicherry: Bus is the best way to commute atleast from bangalore. I also saw a Railway stn in Pondicherry. I went by a KSTDC Volvo A/C bus which charges approx 400 per head one way.

Where to Stay: The two decent hotels for lodging in Pondichery are Hotel Mass and Hotel Jairam. I stayed in the former and found the facilities very cozy. Even had my dinner in the latter which is bigger than Maas. Maas has the advantage of bein located in a walking distance from the City Bus Stand. Charges in Maas are approx 2k per day for a double bed room with A/C.

Best time to visit Pondicherry is between October -March.

Good to have my chakra on roll after 2-3 months.