Puducherry, earlier known as Pondicherry is a former French colony situated in the south of India. Amazing pubs, white beaches, and French colonies make Puducherry a popular destination for tourists, especially for backpackers.
Puducherry has a great history as well. Initially, Puducherry was ruled over by the French who set up a trading center. It was then captured by the British in the year 1761 but was returned to France under the Treaty of Paris (1783). Then in the year 1954, French handed Puducherry over to India.
The city has some great festivals. One of the most popular festivals is the Mascarade or Mask festival, which is celebrated in the months of March and April. The festivals reflect the French tradition followed by the people of Puducherry, where a number of people walk the streets wearing masks and costumes.
Additionally, Puducherry is also famous for its French bakeries, as Puducherry has some of the best bakeries in South India. There are also various water activities that take place in Puducherry like scuba diving and snorkeling.
Reaching Puducherry is quite easy. One can take a direct flight from any city in India to Chennai and then there is an amazing 3-hour drive from Chennai to Puducherry. The alternative route is taking a train from anywhere to Chennai and then driving or catching a bus to Puducherry.
When it comes to budgeting for Puducherry, it is cheap compared to other South Indian cities. There are a number of hostels, cheap bars, and great street shopping that makes Puducherry an ideal weekend getaway and a perfect destination for backpackers.
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Great article!