Give time a break, Unwind and drive slow, u may need to follow these to get used to the pace in my native place - Peaceful Pondicherry. Come vacation and "What is there in Pondicherry?" is the most used cliche at me. This Deepavali is no exception. Through this piece of writing I intend to help visitors.
What is there is Pondicherry?
1)City Beach: Early morning and late evening visits recommended. Due to the Pondicherry-loving Bay of Bengal, there is no place to promenade.
2) Aurobindo Ashram: It has samadhis of Aurobindo and The Mother. Believers visit to pray and meditate. For those who want to see what it is all about, 15 minutes is sufficient.
3) Auroville: Located 15 kms. from city, it is a model town visioned by The Mother. Matrimandir is a place to meditate. Only those interested in meditating will find this place interesting; but for them others can enjoy the local layout of the dwelling and the drive. It will consume 2~3 hrs. to visit and return to city, so choose to include this in your schedule.
4) Chunnambar Boat Club: There is no boat house but just backwaters where boating is possible. Ask to reach Paradise beach - a small piece of land surrounded by water - okay place to spend time. As is the case with every location, leave the place before it gets too dark. Bookings close by 4PM, so reach accordingly. It is 7Kms from city on Pondy-Cuddalore route. You can also stay here on tree tops if u r adventurous enough.
5) Auroville Beach: Take the ECR road towards Chennai, drive 3~4 Kms till the junction where the left takes you to Auroville. The right will take you to the beach - but entry is restricted for Ashramites. So, move further down the ECR for another 200 mts. and take right in one of the roads to reach the beach. Please visit this place in a group. Pennyless and ruthless drunkards from outstation flood this place to take bath in the beach with slipping underwears and unsteady gait. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.
6) Hotel Pondicherry Ashok: An ITDC and Pondicherry Govt. joint venture is the place to enjoy the beach. Located 15 Kms. from city on ECR towards Chennai, it is a very safe and scenic place to stay, dine and enjoy the beach. You can use the restaurant and still use the beach. But the door to beach closes by 6 PM, so plan to reach this place for lunch and then spend time till 6 PM.
7) Pichavaram Mangrove Forest: Located 85 Kms from Pondicherry(Pondy-Cuddalore-Chidambaram-Pichavaram), it is a nice place to take a boat ride among mangrove forest. Recommend to take the boating at 6:30 AM or 4:00PM to avoid the sun. If you go in a big group, ask the boatman to take you to the beach - and be ready to spend money for that special trip.
8) Places to eat: For sea food lovers, Promenade and Rendevous(Rue Suffren and Rue Bussy junction) are brilliant. For veggies, Jayaram and Surguru would suffice.
9) Places to drink: Promenade(For all), Hot and Cold(For Men), Hotel Mass(For Men), Pondicherry Ashok(For all), Seagulls(For all).
10) Places to shop: Casablanca for branded stuff(Nehru street and MIssion street junction), Titanic for good stuff at throw away price(Chetty Street), Hidesign Boutique and the entire Nehru street for variety.
11) Hidesign: This global leather icon is born out of Pondicherry. So, visit the Hidesign outlet at Casablanca and their dedicated boutique.
12) Places to stay: Please book well in advance as the floating population swells multifold during weekends and vacations. A) Sea View: Promenade, Ajanta Sea View, Sea View Residency, The Dune, Pondicherry Ashok and Ashram Guest house. Ashram guest houses have restriction for noise and 10PM deadline - BEWARE! B) Heritage Villa: Le Orient, Le Dupliex, Du Parc and many more. C) Within City: Jayaram, Mass, Surguru, Anandha Inn, Annamalai International, Sunway, Ginger(Post Jan 2008) and many more small hotels.
Trip Planner(Example from Bangalore):
Day 1:Start at 6AM - Hosur-Krishnagiri-Tiruvannamalai-Tindivanam-Pondy reach at 12PM. Road between Krishnagiri and Tiruvannamalai is bad due to recent rain. Lunch at Promenade and head to Chunnamabar Backwaters Boat Club on Pondy-Cuddalore road. The last booking closes at 4PM! Visit Paradise beach there and get back to Pondy by 6:30PM. Staying at Chunnambar backwaters beyond 6:30 PM is lonely and hence not advisable.
Day2: 9:30AM - Visit Auroville / Matri Mandir. Reach Pondicherry Ashok at 2:00PM for lunch and play at their beach till 6:00PM. Head back to the city and shop at Titanic, Casablanca and Hidesign Boutique. Drink at Promenade or Ajanta Sea View or at Seagulls.
Day 3: 6:00AM Leave for Pichavaram: Pondy-Cuddalore-Chidambaram-Pichavaram 85KMS. 7:15AM~9:00AM boating among mangrove forest. Back to Pondy by 10:15AM. If just 2 days at hand, then squeeze this trip in Day 2 itself before visiting Auroville. Leave for Bangalore.