Pondicherry, officially known as Puducherry, and commonly referred to as just Pondy, is one of the seven Union Territories of India which is bounded by the southern state of Tamil Nadu. This former French colony is a perfect amalgamation of the traditional Indian sensibilities and French architecture, making it a dreamy escape that offers the best of both worlds.
The streets of the French Quarter of Pondicherry, also known as White Town, are dotted with charming mustard-yellow colonial structures with bougainvillaea laden walls. These are interspersed with cosy cafes and chic boutiques that offer delectable French cuisine and beverages. Simply strolling down these streets, can give the traveller an insight into the fairytale charm of Pondicherry.
Topped with authentic French bakeries, bohemian stores and cobble-stoned paths that are delightful for a leisurely stroll or a bicycle ride, Pondicherry has a lot to offer. So head on down to this dream town of the Indian Coast and chug a few beers (at the Union Territory prices; bid adieu to state taxes) or just read a book in one of the quaint cafes.
Best Time To Visit :
The best time to visit Pondicherry is from October to March as the weather during these months is pleasant for sightseeing. The temperature during this time usually ranges between 15 - 30 degrees Celcius. Summers (April-June) in Pondicherry are quite hot and the temperature touches 40 degrees Celsius. Monsoons (July-September) is a slightly better time to visit Pondicherry despite the rainfalls. Having said that, the best time to visit Pondicherry varies from person to person as the place transforms itself every season and celebrates a range of festivals which interest a lot of tourists.
Places To Visit :
1 .Paradise Beach :
Paradise Beach, also known as Plage Paradiso, is situated in Chunnambar, close to Pondicherry town. Adorned with the golden sand, this is a little-isolated beach. To reach here, you have to take a ferry across the backwaters, which takes around 20-30 minutes. There are a few shacks along the main entrance to the beach, and you can get a fresh coconut water and some simple snacks - don't expect any fancy street food though.
Part of the fun in reaching the beach is the beautiful ferry from the boathouse - the backwaters on the way to the beach are green and have thick mangrove forests. Especially after the monsoons, the backwaters are fresh and green. You can spot a lot of birds while on the ride - and photography enthusiasts would relish the opportunity to get some great photos here.
Paradise Beach
2 . Aurobindo Ashram :
Located in the White Town of Pondicherry, Aurobindo Ashram has been named after its creator- Sri Aurobindo Ghosh. The foundation of this ashram was laid on 24th November in the year 1926 when he was surrounded by his disciples all over after he retired from politics and settled in Pondicherry. This ashram was set up with the aim of helping people attain moksha and inner peace. Thousands of tourists from all over the country visit the ashram to experience and achieve spiritual knowledge. The ashram is by far one of the wealthiest ashrams in the world. Also, the ashram does not have any branches and solely exists in Pondicherry.
Aurobindo Ashram
3 .Auroville :
Auroville is one of those towns which appear to come to life right out of fiction. In the union territory of Pondicherry, this township runs on the principles of peace, harmony, sustainable living, and 'divine consciousness' which was the philosophy of the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Society, Mirra Alfassa. This universal township was inaugurated on 28 February 1968 with the agenda that it will be a place with people willing enough to make this a hub of uninterrupted education and progress, regardless of their caste, creed, nationality, or race. Called the city of dawn, this place is the epitome of tranquility and proves the perfect escape for the ones in search of peace.
Auroville
4 . Scuba Diving :
Packed with enchanting marine life, Pondicherry offers an amazing adventure of scuba diving off the country's East Coast. A dive into the sea will let you explore the rich life comprising of beautiful natural coral reefs and other exotic creatures such as manta rays, kingfish, sea snakes, lionfish, butterflies, crustaceans, moray eels, and many more. Apart from that, if it is your lucky day you might even spot whale sharks, even sharks, dolphins, and turtles. You also have an option of enjoying the dive at an artificial reef and experience the thrill of the activity making Pondicherry an irresistible diving destination.
Scuba Diving
5. Arikamedu :
Situated within a half-hour drive of the French colonial town of Pondicherry, Arikamedu is an ancient Roman trade centre hidden from the eyes and ears of the commonplace Tamil tourism. Its name has been taken from the Tamil word- 'Arikanmedu' which means 'eroding mount'. Very little is known about any Indo-Roman ties in the Before Christ era, but with the discovery and excavation of Arikamedu, extensive proofs were unearthed. This port town was occupied by the people of Rome, Cholas, and French serving as a very famous maritime center from 1st century BC to 2nd century AD. The glass bead manufacturing factory of Arikamedu is called the mother of all bead centers in the entire world.
Arikamedu
6 . Cafes In Pondicherry :
If you are a connoisseur, then Pondicherry is an excellent place for you to visit as it serves a wide variety of gourmet food. It definitely has the best cafes around and offers great cuisine. Some of the cafes will take you completely by surprise with their culinary and mouthwatering dishes. If you always dreamt of sitting in a French café and sipping a cup of coffee or taking a bite but are unable to visit France, then Pondy should be on your checklist. These cafes also offer an ambient atmosphere and solace from the busy streets.
Cafes In Pondicherry
How To Reach :
1 . By Flight :
Pondicherry can be reached by air from the Puducherry Airport at Lawspet. Another option would be the Karaikal Airport.
2 . By Road :
A road trip to Pondicherry is a dream for every traveler because of the exotic scenery. However, there are various buses that connect Pondicherry to Chennai, Trichy, Bangalore, Coimbatore, etc.
3 . By Train :
The Villupuram Railway Junction connects Pondicherry to the rest of India via rail.
