Five Myths About Pondicherry You Better Not Believe

If you’re planning a trip to Pondicherry, be prepared to be supplied with a mix of facts and exaggerations. Or allow us to sift the truths from the myths.

Myth 1: Inebriated men straggle in the streets

I can vouch that spotting  a bottle of mineral water in Pondy is much harder than finding a bottle of liquor- which by the way, is available in every third store! But in no way does it imply that Puducherry is crawling with people in various states of intoxication.

Yes, taxes are low and liquor is cheap. Drinking is a weekend ritual (weekdays too)! Yet, Pondy is generally considered safe for travellers. Read the umpteen solo-travel blogs or ask the many women enjoying a seat at the Promenade beach, all by themselves.

Myth 2: Everyone speaks French

You are likely to be understood if you say ‘Bonjour’, but if you venture to practice your French verbs on the local population, you may draw a blank- or a confused stare! We may have bilingual street signs, a significant expat population and  a number of fluent French speaking Pondicherrians, but it is a misconception that every second person you meet, can converse in French. Even the rues  and churches have their own vernacular equivalents. So if you’re navigating the heritage town with a map ,stick with landmarks like buildings and statues.

Myth 3: If you’re not after the beach or the booze, there’s little Pondy has to offer

Pondy, notorious for its laidback atmosphere and a sense of ennui, is often considered as a place to ‘just chill’. While the beaches- and we admit, the booze- are big draws, they are not the only ones. The mix of French and Tamil heritage, the spiritual vibes rooted in the city and the spread of international cuisine have been charming people for a long time. And from mid- 2014, the city is in the middle of a makeover as a festival destination. In the last few weeks alone, festivals geared to lure foodies, kite-lovers, marathon runners have all been launched. Be it yoga, film making, photography, painting, shopping , surfing, scuba diving or bicycling- the multiple interests in you will find something to revel here.

Myth 4: Pondy is a slice of France

Pondy is dubbed as the French Riviera of India, but those who have sauntered the streets of ‘Gay Paree’, will tell you it is a far cry from the chic European city. True, the boulevards, kepi-wearing policemen, croissants and French names that crop up all over the city, keep the French influence alive. But it is the co-existence of two different cultures that blend beautifully every now and then to create Franco-Indian food, architecture and heritage that makes Pondicherry unique.  After you walk the cobbled lanes of the French town, stroll through the thinnai- fronted houses in the quaint Tamil quarter, look for remnants of the past in the colourful Muslim quarter and shop at the bustling local markets to experience Pondicherry in totality.

Myth 5: Auroville is in Pondicherry; Pondicherry is in Tamil Nadu

If you’re writing a blog or posting up an album on Flickr after your trip to Pondy, it is always good to get your geography right! So repeat after us- Auroville is in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry is well, in Pondicherry. Though geographically located within Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry is a union territory. What does that mean? Well, less power-cuts, for one thing!  The misconception that the international township of Auroville is part of the  UT, exists perhaps because of its spiritual roots in the city ,or its proximity.

A bonus truth:

Nothing in Pondy is far away: If somebody tells you that some spot if  quite far- take the advice with a pinch of salt. Or if you’re from Bangalore, Chennai or any metro, simply ignore it. In Pondy parlance, anything beyond four kilometres is far. You can get to these ‘far’ places, in the same time you go from T. Nagar to Saidapet in normal evening traffic!