A union territory which is small in size but one of the biggest tourist pullers in India. Pondicherry breathes the remains of French settlement and local culture. A destination which has curated itself for family vacations, solo travels and group activities. Form beaches to architectures, from ashrams to churches, from Sunday markets to world famous cafes, Pondicherry is rightfully the Paris of the East.
Major Attractions
- Paradise Beach:
Locally known as Plage Paradiso is one of the most travelled destinations in India, located in chunnambar it requires a ferry ride surrounded by mangrove forest to reach the beach. The water activities available at beach provides for a leisure’s time with family and friends. The soft sand and crystal-like water truly make the beach a living paradise. The best way to enjoy the beach is to spend a day indulging in water activities. The beach closes at 5:30 pm.
- Aurobindo Ashram – A meditative experience.
- Founded by Indian philosopher and Maharishi Sri Aurobindo, the ashram is the standing pilgrimage of his vision.
- The interiors of the place provide a new experience to the eyes and mind. The ashram is the best place to reboot yourself from hustle of everyday life.
- The ashram enjoys multitudes of cultural activities as well,
ashram opens its door in the morning from 8am to 12pm and then from 2pm to 6pm. Please note that children under 3 years of age are not allowed to enter the ashram.
- Pondicherry Museum– Immerse yourself in the art and history
- Pondi Museum is like a camera that holds thousand years old pictures and memories of the place. The artifacts, archaeological findings and history, makes the museum the centre of knowledge.
- The minimalistic architecture of the museum feels like another building of the city, a must visit place before you undertake the adventures of Pondi.
- For history enthusiasts, the design and architecture of the museum can appear different and refreshing. The museum stays open from 9 am to 6:30 pm.
- Sri Manaukala Temple– Experience the 500-year-old holy Ganesha temple with tremendous Dravidian architecture.
- Paintings of lord Ganesha on the walls adds to the design, depicting different events in Sanatan mythology.
- the chariot on which the idol of Ganesha rests is weighed at 7kg of gold. During Ganesh Chaturthi (August and September), the poojas, processions and ceremony are just mesmerizing. The temple sees large crowd during Ganesha Chaturthi.
- Botanical Garden:
Made and decorated with French elegancy, the botanical garden is spread across 22 acres of land and divided in 30 sections.
- The flowers exhibit a calming aura for the tourists. It is a Home of different endangered and exotic species, it is a must visit destination for all the nature lovers.
- The garden offers a different scenery in each seasonal change.
- One can sit and enjoy the sight of dancing fountain, where water from fountain makes patterns and dances on music beats. The garden is usually open from 10am to 5pm.
- Basilica of Sacred Heart of Jesus – A blend of French and Indian architecture, it is one of the most famous sightseeing places of the Pondicherry.
- Biblical verse imprinted on large stained glasses with paintings hooks the visitors with its architecture design.
- One can experience the grand celebrations during Christmas, New year’s and Easters. The church is open to visitors from 10am-8pm
- Boat House:
Chunnambar is famous for its boat houses and water activities. The boat ride in the backwaters experiences with green tress providing a backdrop to your sightseeing.
- One can book an overnight stay at treehouses and enjoy one of the astonishing experiences offered by Pondicherry. There is nothing more peaceful than bonfire at nights and chirping of birds in the morning.
- The Chunnambar boat house remains operational from 9 in the morning to 6pm. The beach rides close after 4 PM, while short rides until 6 PM.
- Rock Beach- Heaven between sea and city
- Keep your cameras ready to witness one of the most spectacular sunrise and sunsets in Pondicherry.
- The Rock beach merges nature and city life together. Rock paved path divides the beach from restaurants and cafes.
- Sea winds on one side and glistering lights of cafes on the other.
- Taking a walk at sunrise and sunset is a stupendous experience that one should not miss. The cafes and restaurants close after midnight.
- Auroville– An enlightening experience
- Home to people of 195 nationalities, Auroville is an experimental township, built to enjoy a life away from, politics, religion and differences. Continuing the legacy of Aurobindo, the Matrimandir are the main attraction points.
- Matrimandir as a centre is built for meditation and experiencing the quietness of life. The bookings shall be made 10 days in advance and one needs to enter the premise at 8:30. If you are a visitor, you can enjoy the visitors premise and experience the architecture.
- Mahatma Gandhi Statue – Paying respect to our father of nation. Mahatma Gandhi’s statue is one of the tallest statues of Mahatma Gandhi in South India, the nearby shops are famous for selling variety of cotton prints, handicrafts and artefacts.
- White Town– Heart of the city.
- The centre of the city, where the life of the Pondicherry starts. White town was the heart of French settlers and families and it still breathes French culture.
- One can see the imprints of French influence on villas, cafes and restaurants and even the street names. The place is best to enjoy French cuisines and bless your eyes with art galleries.
Offbeat places
- Pichavaram Mangrove Forest– A mangrove forest located 64 kms form Pondicherry, is a best option to explore nearby places. The place has many mangrove islands and is an ideal place for boating. The place provides an exploration point for bird watching and forest exploration.
- Alamparai Fort- Situated at the distance of 1 hour from Pondicherry. Alamparai Fort is a historical site to know more about the history of the place. Constructed in the late 17th century during the Mughal era, the fort is famous for 100-meter-long dockyard that once existed for transport of products.
- Promenade Beach– A captivating Coastal stretch, a perfect spot for sunsets and picturesque in providing insights into Pondicherry’s culture. One can enjoy different cuisines on the beach while street vendors add a new life to the place.
- Old Lighthouse– Pondicherry’s historic lighthouse stands tall, bearing quiet witness to the city’s long maritime heritage. Its aged walls display the traces of time and tell tales French sea routes and export activities.
- Ousteri Lake: Ousteri Lake is a tranquil freshwater lake about 10 kilometres from Pondicherry that is encircled by rich vegetation and migrating birds. Take a boat ride to discover the lake’s calm waters, look for different bird species, and take in the picturesque beauty of the nearby wetlands.
By Air:
The nearest major airport to Pondicherry is Chennai International Airport, located approximately 135 kilometers away. From the airport, you can take a bus to reach Pondicherry.
By Train:
Pondicherry has its own railway station, known as Puducherry Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities in India. Several trains run between Pondicherry and destinations like Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Kolkata.
Delhi- 2,3500kms
Bangalore- 300 kms
By Road:
Pondicherry is well-connected by road networks, making it accessible by bus and private vehicle. You can take a state-run bus or a private vehicle from nearby cities like Chennai, Bangalore, and Madurai. The East Coast Road (ECR) is a popular route that offers a scenic drive along the coast.
Must visit Cafes and Restaurants
Cafes de Arts- Over 2 century old building located Suffren street white town, the café incorporates fabulous aesthetics and appearance. Without a doubt the best café in Pondicherry for your social media accounts and photography.
Zuka– For all the sweet tooths, a must try place for desserts, chocolates and sweets. Located in heritage town, sweet lovers can definitely find it as a place to satisfy their tongue.
Hope Café- Looking for vegetarian food? Hope café indeed is a place of hope for your diet. Located in Suffren street the café offers a Unique ambience and vibes with some delicious French cuisines.
Baker’s Street- A place to try French baked goods and desserts. Situated near clock tower MG road, the place has all the options for your breakfast, topped with Italian and Indian options.
Surguru – if you are looking for familiar north Indian and south Indian dishes then it’s the best place for you. Situated in Jawaharlal Nehru Street, near Manakula Vinayakar temple the restaurant occupies a sweet spot offering everything for vegetarians.
Xtasi Cafe- if you want to enjoy Italian flavours then mark this place. Serving pizzas from wooden fire oven, the café is well known for its quality and reasonable prices Located in MG road area. One can spend a quality time with quality food.
Le Dupleix- Located in white town, the building of Le Dupleix is over 200 hundred years old. The ambience goes hand in hand with the carefully designed French theme of the restaurant. Apart from food, the place has fine collection of Indian and imported wines.
Rendezvous Café: Known for its vibrant and artistic atmosphere, the café with bohemian decor offers live music performances. One can find different types of beverages, coffees and cocktails.
World Environment Day
A hiker climbs the top and enjoys the view of a serene valley, finding a solace in mountains beauty. Its time to honour and protect what we climb for, lets keep the beauty that our adventurous hearts strive for.
Lets celebrate the world environment day by protecting the beauty that our adventures offer us.