Puducherry: The French Window

Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) retains the distinct architectural and cultural imprint of **French colonial rule**. It is geographically scattered across four districts (Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam) in three different states. It is globally recognized for **Auroville** and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, representing a unique experiment in spiritual living and international township. * **Key Themes:** French colonial legacy, Auroville spiritualism, and disjointed geography.