Puducherry, often renowned as Pondicherry, is a picturesque and charming city on the Indian Peninsula’s south-eastern coast. With vestiges of the town’s French colonial heritage scattered throughout its architecture and stunningly clean beaches around it, the city is one of South India’s most admired locations.
A trip to Puducherry is an adventure that no seasoned traveller can ignore. Although there are countless spots to see in Pondicherry in a single day, and staying in the lovely town for two days is a preferable option, mainly if you want to discover the range of activities.
PROMENADE BEACH
A popular beach adorning the coastline of the city of Pondicherry, this long 1.2 kilometer is a haven for travelers and beach enthusiasts. Starting from the War Memorial and ending at the Dupleix Park on Goubert Avenue, the beach is also a favorite haunt for locals for the morning and evening walks besides being an all-time favorite picnic destination. As you explore the beach, you will find a statue of Mahatma Gandhi which is followed by a sea-facing restaurant to enjoy some local culinary delights. For those who want to enjoy the warm moments and pick up some souvenirs, there are small tea, snacks, and souvenir shops from where you can pick a memory or enjoy some peanuts while taking in the cool breeze of the sea. The sunrise and sunset views from the beach are especially beautiful and so does the view of the moon shimmering on the sea waters.
SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM
Spiritual bliss is one of the reasons that tourists from far and wide plan a holiday in Pondicherry. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a famous spiritual community founded by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa (The Mother) in 1926. One of the most visited places in Pondicherry, the ashram is a retreat for your spiritual needs. Take a break from the world and focus on your evolution to higher spiritual beings with International Yoga Festival, meditation, sermons, and other activities. Around 1,200 members along with 400 students can easily accommodate the complex. Spread over 400 buildings, the ashram has facilities of library, printing press, playground, art gallery, dispensary/nursing home, dairy, farms, guest houses, etc.
PARADISE BEACH
Like its name, Paradise beach is truly a world apart! Adorned with golden sands, this is a little isolated haven, one of the top attractions in Pondicherry. Reaching the beach is amazing as the shoreline itself. You need to board the ferry traveling through the backwaters surrounded by thick mangrove forests that take around 20-30 minutes to get to the golden shores.
Spot birds, walk on the silky sands, enjoy the opportunity to get some great photos, or sitting and enjoying the waves. A variety of water sports facilities are also available for enthusiastic tourists to try a hand at fishing as fishing rods and nets, easily available for rent.
EGLISE DE NOTRE DAME DES ANGES
Eglise De Notre Dame Des Anges also known as Our Lady of Angels Church is one of the most popular places to visit in Pondicherry. Reputed for its brilliant masonry, the church has an appearance that is inspired by the churches in France, especially the breathtaking Basilica at Lourdes in Southern France. Limestones mixed with white eggs were mixed to create a mixture that gives it a marble-like appearance. The church altar has a statue of Our Lady holding a baby Jesus in her arms. Inside the church, there are eight barrel vaults and a central dome that is pierced with eight round openings.
ARULMIGU MANAKULA VINAYNAGAR TEMPLE
Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Manakula Vinayagar Koil is a Hindu temple is located in the heart of the White Town of Pondicherry, Manakula Vinayagar Koil is more than 500-year-old. With the fact of being one of the oldest shrines in the region, Manakula Vinayagar Koil is counted amongst highly revered as well as the most popular Hindu temples in Pondicherry. This shrine boasts a beautiful architectural design that includes a raja gopuram, mandapam, and a prahara – the place where the images of deities are kept. This temple also has rich mythology associated with it and it is believed that during the French rule, attempts had been made to remove the temple from where it stands, by throwing the idol into the sea and every time this was done, the idol used to reappear where it stood, after which the Frenchmen gave up.
SERENITY BEACH
For those looking for a day filled with tranquility, Serenity beach is a mesmerizing visit in Pondicherry sightseeing for all the tourists. It boasts of the resplendent beauty of nature with its golden sands and blue waters that greet the visitors with a panoramic view. The beautiful beach offers surfing and serves as a great spot to laze around under the shade with your book or just enjoy the company of your loved ones with a refreshing day in Pondicherry. Surfing is a thrilling pleasure here as massive waves lead to the shore. Feel relaxed and delighted with the soothing waves here and enjoy yourself.
PONDICHERRY BOTANICAL GARDEN
Spread across 22 acres of land, The Pondicherry Botanical Garden is one of the no-miss Pondicherry sightseeing places. This lush green garden was built by the French colonists who brought exotic plant species from all across the globe and nurtured them here. Today, the garden boasts of 1500 species of plants and there are placards that indicate the species’ names and their common name. Additional information like the uses of the tree, the amount of oxygen generated and its medicinal value make this outsmart other Tourist Places in Pondicherry. The main entrance of the garden characterizes French architecture. Besides the exotic flora, this popular travel place in Pondicherry also has some other enthralling features that equally fascinate tourists. The recently established Musical Fountain is one of the highlights of Botanical Garden. Enjoy the majestic toy-train ride with your kids.
JAWAHAR TOY MUSEUM
Showcasing a variety of toys the Jawahar toy Museum is one of the best places to visit in Pondicherry with kids. The visitors come across an interesting display of a wide variety of toys and dolls decorated and painted in the brightest colors and costumes. It has around 120 dolls that have been collected from various parts of the country including states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Assam, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, etc. What is particularly interesting about the dolls displayed inside the museum is that they are attired in the traditional dress of the region they belong to. Being one of the rarest museums it is a perfect place to learn about the culture of different verticals of the Indian map.
SERENITY BEACH BAZAAR
The Serenity Beach Bazaar has a super-cool vacation vibe and is one of the best shopping streets in Pondicherry. It is a village-style bazaar and has handicrafts sourced locally and from Auroville. Other than shopping, its numerous food stalls make it a complete outing! The vibe of this market draws both Indians and foreign tourists from far and wide. You will fall in love with how calm and serene this place is, even though it is bustling with people. It will transport you to another world and enjoy your endless shopping here.
GOUBERT MARKET
Another one in the array of Tourist Places in Pondicherry is the Goubert Market that is located on the edge of the French Quarter of Vellala Street. The market is dotted with a number of vegetables, fish, and grocery shops. Apart from this, here you can also find shops brimming with leather goods, intricate jewelry, and trendy apparel that will make you awe-struck. Get your shopping bags and explore the streets of the Goubert market of Pondicherry!
If you just have one day in town, a visit to the French Colony should be at the top of your checklist. This area of town offers a plethora of activities and gorgeous architecture that will thrill your eyes. We hope you enjoyed this virtual blog and will have a much better experience when you visit this location with your dear ones.
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