Districts

The districts of Puducherry comprises of all the modern infrastructural facilities for the convenience of the local inhabitants of the area. Governed by a team of experienced administrators, the districts of Puducherry are a perfect balance between traditional culture and modern developments.The districts of Puducherry maintain a harmonious blend of agriculture and industries. While majority of the rural inhabitants are engaged in the traditional economic activity of farming, the educated elites get absorbed in numerous service sectors of the Union Territory.

The Union Territory of Puducherry comprises of two distinct districts of Puducherry and Karaikal. Puducherry districts comprises of Puducherry region and two outlying Administrative units of Mahe and Yanam. All the four districts bear a strong resemblance of the colonial French rule of the ancient times. Before the advent of the colonial rulers, the districts of Puducherry were essentially part of the various dynasties of the ancient times.Upholding the rich cultural ancestry and traditional heritage of the region, the districts of Puducherry reflects the glorious past through its splendid architectural monuments, unique cultural traits and enriched social customs.Almost all the districts of the Union Territory support excellent educational institutions. The district of Yanam houses the famous Puducherry Engineering College and Puducherry University that draws several Indian and Foreign students as well.

Blessed with natural scenic beauty, the four districts are potential tourist spots of Puducherry. The enchanting natural beauty of the districts casts a magical spell on the tourists.The Government of Puducherry has taken several important steps in the recent years to improve the standard of living of the local inhabitants of the Union Territory. However, a more focused and determined effort on the part of the Government will further accelerate the developmental process of the various districts of Puducherry.

The districts/administrative units of Puducherry are,

Districts

• Puducherry - Puducherry District comprises of Puducherry Region and outlying Administrative Units of Mahe and Yanam.
• Karaikal- Karaikal District comprises of Karaikal Region.

Administrative Units

• Mahe
• Yanam

Puducherry

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One of the important districts of Puducherry, Puducherry bears relics to the rich cultural ancestry and traditional legacy of the bygone French era. Unaltered and unaffected by rapid industrialization, the district of Puducherry has preserved the rich historical past of the glorious period of the French colonies. Located at a distance of one hundred and sixty two kilometers from Chennai, Puducherry is commonly referred to as Pondicherry. Puducherry became an integral part of India in the year of 1954.

Most of the local indigenous population of Puducherry district speaks the local dialect of Tamil. However, representing the rich cultural traditions of the ancient past, a large number of the local inhabitants also interact in French. The educated elites of the district prefer the global language of English that has helped to erase international barriers. Puducherry district has maintained a perfect balance between agricultural productivity and industrial developments. While most of the local inhabitants are engaged in the traditional occupation of farming and the allied economic activities of animal husbandry and fishing for earning their livelihood, the educated people are engaged in industries and service sectors.

Blessed with a natural scenic beauty, the district of Puducherry has many interesting places of tourist destination. Some of the notable tourist spots of Puducherry district are: Botanical Garden- The picturesque landscape of the Botanical Garden casts a magical spell on the visitors Puducherry Museum- The Puducherry Museum is a store house of antique pieces of art and craft of the region Auroville- Believed to be the universal town, Auroville is the melting pot of different religions , castes and creeds Shri Aurobindo Ashram- Far from the maddening crowd of the cities, the serene and calm surrounding of Shri Aurobindo Ashram fills the devotees with an intense sense of pleasure and devotion The district of Puducherry is endowed with immense potentialities for further development in the near future.

Karaikal

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Spread over an area of one sixty one square kilometer, Karaikal encompasses a total population of one lakh seventy thousand six hundred and forty. One of the prominent districts of Puducherry, Karaikal comprises of six distinct areas of Karaikal, Nedungadu, Tirunallar, Kottuchcheru, Tirurnalarajanpattinam, and Niravi. The district of Karaikal bears relics to the rich historical ancestry and traditional legacy. The ancient town of Karaikal played an important role during the bygone olden days when the region was a part of the Pallava dynasty. During the later years, the district became an integral part of the French rule of Puducherry.

Representing the varied social and cultural life of Puducherry, Karaikal comprises of a multi religious community of Christians, Islam and Hindus. The Tamil language continues to be the most important language of the indigenous population of the district of Karaikal. The district of Karaikal has maintained a perfect balance between agricultural productivity and industrial developments. The River Canceri flows through the region and makes it suitable for growing important crops like paddy, cotton, groundnut, banana, vegetables and pulses. The district supports several small scale cottage industries.

In addition Karaikal has earmarked the area of Polagam as an important industrial hub of the district. Endowed with natural scenic beauty and rich religious history, Karaikal is blessed with numerous places of tourist interest. Some of the notable places of tourist interest are: Lord Saneeswara Temple- One of the prominent religious monuments of Karaikal, Lord Saneeswara Temple draws several devotees who visit the place to seek divine blessings and eternal happiness Karaikal Beach- The golden sandy beach of Karaikal casts a magical spell on the tourists who are captivated by the bewitching beauty of the place The district of Karaikal is blessed with immense potentialities for further maturity that would help the Union Territory of Puducherry to reach the pinnacle of development and growth.

Mahe

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Encompassing a total area of nine square kilometer, the district of Mahe bears relics to the glorious French rule of Puducherry. One of the burgeoning trade and commerce centers of Puducherry, the district of Mahe holds a population of thirty six thousand eight hundred and twenty three. Equipped with good infrastructural amenities, Mahe presents a harmonious blend of agricultural growth and industrial productivity. Located to the west of the Indian Peninsula, the fertile land of Mahe is suitable for cultivating various kinds of crops like paddy, coconut, pepper black, tapioca and banana.

The cultivation of good quality crops enables the district to earn a large amount of revenue. Mahe supports numerous small scale cottage, and medium scale industries that forms the backbone of the economy of the district. Handicrafts and coir making are important industries of Mahe that enables the local inhabitants to earn their livelihood. Fisheries and animal husbandry are other important source of generating income for the indigenous population of Mahe. The district of Mahe has many dispensaries and hospitals that cater to the medical needs of the local people.

The district administration has attached special importance to education which is evident in the establishment of several branches of Navodaya Vidyalaya that helps in imparting value oriented education to the students. Endowed with a rich historical past, Mahe region is blessed with several places of tourist interest. Some of the notable tourist destinations of Mahe are: St. George Fort- One of the important landmarks of the district of Mahe, St. George Church represents the glorious historical antecedents of the bygone French rule Cherukallayi Kunnu, Mount Veera- The bewitching beauty of Cherukallayi Kunnu in Mount Veera casts a magical spell on the tourists One of the prominent districts of Puducherry, Mahe boasts of enriched cultural ancestry that has penetrated from the ancient times to the modern era.

Yanam

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Endowed with a rich cultural ancestry and traditional legacy of the bygone, Yanam is spread over an area of thirty square kilometer. Encompassing a total population of thirty one thousand three hundred and sixty two according to the census data of 2001, the district of Yanam is blessed with numerous important educational institutions of great repute. Agriculture and industries play an important role in strengthening the economy of the district of Yanam.

The agriculturists of Yanam grow several agricultural products of paddy, coconut, groundnut, and pulses in addition to the other miscellaneous crops. The majority of the indigenous populations are also engaged in the allied economic activities of Fishery and animal husbandry that contributes to building up a strong base for economic development of the district. Yanam houses numerous small scale and medium scale cottage industries of coir making and handicraft items that enables the local craftsmen of the district to earn handsome revenues. With several important educational institutions, Yanam may truly be said to be the educational hub of Puducherry. Apart from housing numerous branches of Navodaya Vidyalaya, Yanam boasts of famous Degree Colleges, Polytechnic Institutes, Industrial Technical Institution, and Junior Colleges.

The region of Yanam is endowed with the bounty of nature that casts a magical spell on the tourists. Some of the tourist destinations of Yanam are: Venkanna Babu Temple- One of the prominent religious shrines of Yanam, Venkanna Babu temple draws devotees who visit the place to derive divine pleasure The new Yanam- Ferry road- An engineering marvel of Yanam, The new Yanam- Ferry road is an important landmark of the district Yanam presents a unique amalgamation of traditional culture coupled with modern values which is evident in the various social customs and rituals of the district.