Pondicherry : A Must Stop For A Traveller

(Pondicherry Sea Beach)

It was a cloudy afternoon of January when we reached Pondicherry. We were coming from Madurai and our plan was to stay here for one night and then leave for Chennai. But we were so overwhelmed by the beauty of this city that all unanimously decided to spend one more day here to feel more and to enjoy more.

Pondicherry, fondly called as ‘Pondy’ by the locals, is the capital of the union territory of Puducherry. It is not a very big city though, but well planned, neat and clean and very very special for those people who really want loneliness and a sedate blue sea ahead.

The main attractions of the city are its French architecture, long stretch of rocky beaches and side by wide pavement for morning and evening walk, beautiful park, Promenade and a relaxed cup of coffee there, Sri Aurobindo Ashram and of course the delight of  French and continental cuisine.

General Information

• Geographic position :   Situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal in Puducherry union territory of South India.
• Area: 493 Sq.km.
• Altitude : 3m
• Temparature :
•            Summer temperature : 24⁰ C to 38⁰ C 
•            Winter temperature : 20⁰ C to 30⁰ C
• STD code : 0413
• Pin code : 605001 to 605014
• Languages used : Tamil, Telegu, English, French and Hindi.
• The best time to visit : October to March

Places To Visit

• Sri Aurobindo Ashram : A spiritual centre for Yoga, meditation and inner development. Established on 24^th November 1926 by revolutionist turned spiritualist Sri Aurobindo Ghosh. He, with the help of French painter Mira Alfassa, better known as ‘the Mother’ developed this ashram. It is a prime destination for tourists and spiritual seekers all over the world. Visiting hours : 8 am to 12 noon and then 2 pm to 6 pm. 
• Aayi Mandapam / La Place du Pantheon : This monument,  previously called as La Place du Pantheon, was built during the sixteenth century. Now it is named as Aayi Mandapam and treated as the emblem of the Government of Pondicherry. Surrounded by five beautiful parks it reminds us fine French architecture. 

Aayi Mandapam

• Immaculate Conception Cathedral : One of the splendid churches built by the French in Pondicherry. Located on Cathedral Street it is a must place to visit. 

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

• Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple : Situated on M.G. Road, this temple is a superb example of Dravidian architecture. It was built in 600 ad and considered as the oldest temple in Pondicherry. Lord Sri Varadaraja Perumal, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, is worshipped here. There is also another shrine just behind this temple where Lord Narsimha, another incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is adored.

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple

• Shiva Temple of Chandramouliswar - This temple was erected during the dynasty of Cholas. During festival of March-April, many devotees gathered here for offering prayer.     
• Botanical Garden : Located south of the new bus stand it was initially a typical French style park called ‘The Colonial Park’. But later in 1931 French botanist George S. Perrottet turned it into a botanical garden by planting here many rare species of plants. The garden features a musical fountain with two shows in the weekend evening.
• French War Memorial : Located on Goubert Avenue, it was constructed in 1971 in the memory of French soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War. Every year on the Bastille Day (14th July), the memorial is illuminated and prayer is offered for those died soldiers. 
• Archeological Museum : Located in Bharathi Park, the museum displays the arts and cultures of the people of the region during the Pallava, the Chola and the  Vijayanagaram dynasties and also boasts the details of French colonial history.  The artefacts excavated at nearby Arikamedu are being preserved here.
• Ousteri Lake and National Park : Just 10 km away from the city, on the Pondicherry-Villuppuram road, this place is the home to a huge variety of aqua-fauna and flora. Ousteri lake and national park is a photographer’s delight as huge number of migratory birds can be seen here. 
• Chunnambar Back Water Lake : This place is about 8 km. away from Pondicherry and along the Cuddalore Main Road. The place is attractive due to its lush green beauty. The lake is full of dolphins. This place is also famous for picnic and boating.

Chunnambar Back Water Lake

• 19th Century Light House : This light house is situated on the Red Hills in Gorimedu. It is 5 km. away from western border of the city and a must for tourists. 
• Eight Pillar Gandhi Memorial - Here we can observe the various events of Mahatma Gandhi during his lifetime which are shown beautifully.
• Promenade Beach : The 1.5 km long Promenade beach is one of the main beaches in Pondicherry. Various landmarks and statues like the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the statue of Joan of Arc, the statue of Dupleix, the old light house, the war memorial and the heritage town hall are present here. The beach is ideal for an evening stroll.

Promenade Beach

• Auroville : Auroville, means ‘The City of Dawn’, is a universal township located 8 km away from Pondicherry. It was founded by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother in 1968 with an object to create a cosmopolitan place where people from all over the world would live in peace and harmony irrespective of their nationalities, faiths, beliefs and colours. Currently people from over 44 different countries live here. In the middle of the town there is a temple with world’s biggest man-made crystal ball. It is called ‘Matrimandir’. Auroville  is a sure visit for a person who really looks for peace.

Matrimandir

How To Reach                                                                                                   

• By Air : The nearest airport is the Chennai Meenambakkam International Airport, just around 135 km away from Pondicherry. The airport is well connected with all the major cities in the world. From the airport one can easily hire a cab to reach Pondicherry within 2 to 3 hours.
• By Train : The nearest rail station is Villupuram which is about 35 km away from the city. The station is well connected with cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram. Best to pick a train from Chennai Egmore station for reaching Villupuram within 2.30 to 3.30 hours and from Villupuram to take a taxi to reach Pondicherry within just 1 hour.
• By Road : There are several buses, both pvt. and state-owned, that are frequently coming from Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai and Bengaluru. But best again to take a bus from Paris Corner Bus Stand, Chennai to reach Pondicherry within just 4 hours.

Where To Stay

• Raj Lodge (Rangapillai St., near Nilgiris Super Market, contact no. : 91-413-2337346/91-9786685297)
• Sri Krishnas Guest House (Rangapillai st., near Nilgiris Showroom, contact no. : 91-413-2221818/91-9364648401)
• Hotel Soorya International (Rangapillai St., near Nilgiris Super Market, contact no. : 91-413-2227485/91-9894365533)
• Sea Breeze Residency (Cuddalore Main Road, Ariyankuppam, contact no. : 91-413-2600058/91-9600828871)
• Vallalar Guest House (Mm Adigal Salai, Orleanpet, near new bus-stand, contact no. : 91-413-2200270/91-8056564132)
• Hotel Kanchi (Mission St., near V O C School, contact no. : 91-413-2335540/2349774)
• Atithi (S.V. Patel Salai, near Ajantha Square, Pondicherry HO, contact no. : 91-413-2345001/91-9003043207)
• Golden Sun Inn (Mission St., near ICICI Bank, contact no. : 91-413-2225005/91-9655643334)
• Pondicherry Guest House (Gingee Salai, near old law college bus stand, contact no. : 91-413-4308387/91-8015710810)
• Hotel karai (2^nd Cross, Anna Nagar, Nellithope, contact no. : 91-413-2201167/91-9345211234)
• Sathya Residency (Rangapillai Street, opp. to Nilgiris, contact no. : 91-413-2220212/91-9994738249)
• Amala Lodge (Rangapillai Street, opp. Dhanalakshmi Hotel, Contact no. : 91-413-2338910/91-9362664552)
• Sea View Resort (Thandirayankuppam, Kottakuppam, contact no. : 91-413-2235003/91-9751700057)
• Kings City Residency (Chetty St., contact no. : 91-413-2333323/91-9943940956)
• Aditya Inn (Ayyanar Koil St., Kosapalayam, near new bus stand, contact no. : 91-413-4304424/91-9443790555)