Pondicherry (union territory)

Pondicherry, now officially named Puducherry, is a union territory in Southern India. It consists of a number of enclaves in three different states:


 * Pondicherry &mdash; a cluster of 11 enclaves in Tamil Nadu, containing the main town and capital of the territory
 * Auroville &mdash; a popular spiritual and religious site near Pondicherry
 * Thirubhuvanai &mdash; a village at the outskirts of Pondicherry, home to Chola-era temples
 * Karaikal &mdash; an enclave further south in Tamil Nadu
 * Mahe &mdash; two enclaves in Kerala
 * Yanam &mdash; an enclave in Andhra Pradesh

All of these enclaves were under French occupation before they were peacefully handed over to India. Each enclave shares a mixed cultural heritage, combining its South Indian roots with a French colonial past.