Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry (;literally New Town in Tamil) is a Union Territory of India. It was formed out of four exclaves of former French India namely Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe. It is named after the largest district Puducherry. Historically known as Pondicherry (), the territory changed its official name to Puducherry () on 20 September 2006.