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Pondicherry traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, the venerated sage of the south. The excavations near Pondicherry disclose that a Roman settlement existed here, 2000 years ago. It was also the site of many a battle between the British and the French, and was the capital of French India, before it attained its independence.
Festivals of Pondicherry differ from the rest of India, for the French influence still perseveres outstandingly here. Masquerade, held in March - April, is a popular mask festival, during which brilliantly costumed and masked people of Pondicherry, dance down the streets to the music of trumpets and accordions. During the Eve of the Bastille Day, retired soldiers parade the streets in war finery, singing the French and Indian National Anthem. French is still widely spoken, and the seaside villas and the cobbled streets are more evocative of the south of France than the south of India.
Southindiatourtravel.com provides information on Festivals in Pondicherry and different types of Festivals around South India.
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