We wanted to holiday at a destination wherein we could relax, a non crowded place with scenic beauty and zeroed in for Pondicherry. It turned out to be a perfect holiday destination Peaceful Pondicherry. It’s a Union Territory town bounded by the south eastern Tamil Nadu state.
Winters are the best time according to me to be here. We took a flight till Chennai and then hired a cab for Pondicherry. Distance between Chennai- Pondicherry is around 140 kms, 3-3.5 hours drive. There are two routes to reach Pondicherry, one is via Eastern Coastal Road and second is the NH32. Recommend ECR route at least once, though the road is single lane but passes along the coast with greenery on most part of the route. On the way you can also visit Mahaballipuram, known for its temples and monuments built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries.
I strongly advice on booking accommodation in White Town(area), while at Pondy. As Promenade beach, the heart of the place, will be at walking distance. Most of the tourist points/ places to visit in Pondicherry are at a walking distance from White Town.
My recommendations on list of places to visit in Pondy are Seaside Promenade, Statue of Gandhi, French War Memorial, Statue of Dupleix, Old Light House, Church of our Lady of Angels. A walk of 15 minutes on the Seaside Promenade and you will cover all these points. A must visit is Bharathi Park, Park Monument(Aayi Mandapam), Sri Aurobindo Ashrama, Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Police Museum, all at 10-15 minutes walking distance from White Town. The shaded trees all around and cool breeze makes Bharati Park very beautiful, besides park is maintained.in fact most part of Pondy is well kept and clean. One must meditate at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, amazing energy and blissful. Visit the Ganesh Temple i.e. Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, for the number of Ganesh idols all over the walls of temples and small temples within the main one, do not miss the prasad around 12 noon and to be blessed by an Elephant in evening. Police Museum, first of its kind for me, is worth the visit. It displays the arms and artillery of French era. Another place worth an experience is the New Light House. Reach the place by 4 pm as 5 pm is the closing time. Be prepared to climb around 14 storeys to reach the top of the light house. The view of Pondicherry city from there will be worth the efforts. We have never been at the top of the light house so we were in complete awe/ wonder.
Another blissful and heavenly place, not to be missed at all, while in Pondy is Auroville. You can visit there either by Auto rickshaw or Ola/ Uber as its at around 14 kms drive from white town(around 2 kms less from the city). Ensure you watch the video at the reception area, read about the concept of Auroville. In case you are staying in Pondicherry for few days get the registration done in person to meditate at Matrimandir, 2-3 days in advance. We missed on it. The energy is so high, very peaceful and full of greenery. Please maintain silence to restore the sanctity of the place.
Botanical Garden and Paradise beach are also listed in places to visit and from what I had read are beautiful. We did not visit them though. Again these are at a distance from city so hire a cab or auto rickshaw.
Any tourist place you wish to visit in here, check their opening/ closing timings online, or reach before 5 pm. Exceptions to these are Promenade beach and the Ganesh temple. Do not miss sunrise and evening walk at Seaside Promenade. One must roam around the streets of Pondicherry on foot(walking), to get the glimpse of French era and heritage properties. Streets are clean and maintained. One can also hire bicycle or two-wheeler. White town and City part is safe and under Police surveillance.
Restaurants I recommend for French/ Continental delicacies are Le Chateau Auberge Heritage Hotels Meraki Eatery Teahouse Coromandel Cafe. For Indian food I recommend Adyar Ananda Bhavan. Must have ice cream at Gelateria Montecatini Terme.
Hotels recommended by me: Villa Du Ocean Promenade Pondicherry Le Chateau Maison Petite Le Dupleix in White Town. In city I recommend Shenbaga Hotel and Convention Centre.
Boutiques to shop: Janaki Anokhi Kalki in white town and Auroville. Souvenirs can be bought from Nehru Market Grand Bazaar. I recommend Offbeat Souvenir on Nehru Street for magnets, mugs and T-shirts on Pondy. Also, try Auroville for souvenirs. Items to buy are magnets, terra cota stuff, Hammocks/ dream catchers(from shops opposite Auroville).
I want everyone reading this post to visit this place at least once for its simplicity, peace, Seaside, French heritage and Auroville. I loved Peaceful Pondicherry. I wish to come back.