Pondicherry (Part-2)

Pondicherry is a picturesque town situated in South India. The best part about Pondicherry is that it is neither too big, nor too small. It is perfect. Just perfect. One can memorise all the routes in a day or two. After taking help of Google Maps for some days, you will be able to navigate on your own. In Part 1, I lamented about the atrocities of rickshawalas of Pondi. I would restate another example, which would put those wretched Rickshaw drivers in the same category as Stalin or Hitler. On the first night, I wanted to go the beach, so I rented a rickshaw for a tariff of Rs 100, which sounded reasonable to me. But after a 5 minute journey, the rickshaw stopped and the rickshaw driver turned back and said, " there is your beach, enjoy". I was blown away. Also I am quoting this example looking for venture capitalists who are interested in my idea for starting a rickshaw renting service in Pondi. Please contact me in comment box. 

So, Pondi was ruled by Dutch, Portugese, French and ofcourse British. But Pondi is the only place in India which benefitted from the colonial powers. Major french influence can be seen in the architecture of Pondi. Especially, if you go in the White town situated near the Pondicherry beach. Strolling in White town is equivalent to sitting in a Portal which transports you to France. Cobbled streets, sea side cafes and bars, sound of music in the air,  spirituality all around...that is what you feel rambling around in French colony. Then there is the famous promenade. Descriptions fall short for the sheer peace you experience there. The place will remind you of marine drive in Mumbai. But the difference is, the roadway closes at 7 pm. So there is no honking and jostling of people and steel horses. There is peace. Then there is you. Go to the promenade at night. The place will make you introspect. My first memory of Promenade is surreal. I was sitting on a rock, looking at the sea. Contemplating. And i heard loud ringing of bells in the air. What I dint know at the time, was that the ringing of bell is a signal for the people to find shelter or a roof to tackle the storm. But i sat there, transfixed. Enjoying the view with music. And, the evening grew dark. A long black cloud covered the skyline and then there was lightning. Thundering. Outside. And a fear inside. The clouds started forming shapes in the sky. And the evening grew darker. That is when I looked back and saw people running around. Looking for a roof. But before i could stand up, it started to rain. And the rain hurt. Big rain drops ambushed me and i ran. But it was beautiful. 

Pondicherry is big on spirituality. Being a spiritual person, I thought that i would dig the vibe. But i did and did not at the same time. Aurobindo Ashram located in White town is one of the hot favourite places to meditate for the soul hunters. But somehow, it has lost its charm. May be it is because of the influx of people, who are more interested in checking off an item from their to-visit places in Pondi, rather than taking in the divinity of the place. Lots of noise, too many volunteers, and a small meditation place ruins the atmosphere of what was once a spirituality haven. Also, another major shout out goes to Pondicherry market. Whoa! That place is insane. The hawkers park their Lahris on places, you would not even dream of putting a small bucket. They sure played lots of Tetris(If you dont know this game, you lived a wrong life) in their free time. Smell of fish in the air and frustration all around. The market could easily compete with Wall Street in per capita tension for sure. But the frenzy of the afternoon paves the way for silence in the night. You can hardly see people after 10 pm. Thats another charm of Pondi( You also find the cheapest alcohol in Pondi, so the reason could be entirely different for the silence. I dont know).