Exploring Puducherry

Pondicherry (or Puducherry), a French colonial settlement in India until 1954, is now a Union Territory town bounded by the southeastern Tamil Nadu state. Its French legacy is preserved in its French Quarter, with tree-lined streets, mustard-colored colonial villas and chic boutiques. A seaside promenade runs along the Bay of Bengal and passes several statues, including a 4m-high Gandhi Memorial.

PLACES TO VISIT WHILE IN PUDUCHERRY

Promenade Beach also known as Rock beach

It stretches for approximately 1.5 kms. The statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the old lighthouse, and the remains of the old pier can be spotted from here.

You can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the coasts, or gorge on exquisite French food at a cafe nearby. The War Memorial is also located in close proximity.

Aurobindho Ashram

Founded by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa (The Mother) in 1926, the ashram is the place of the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.

Auroville

Auroville is an experimental township designed by the famous architect Roger Anger. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, also called ‘The Mother’. It is a separate township where you have a lot of sustainable businesses and cafes and spiritual experience. you have to register a day before to enter the main matri mandir center. Even for just visiting it’s interesting.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the highly revered religious places in Pondicherry, and is located on the south boulevard of the town.

Paradise Beach Located along Cuddalore Main Road, and approximately 8 kms from the city centre, this beach has many upscale resorts and well-decorated restaurants along its shores.

Chunnambar Boat House Surrounded by beautiful backwaters and stunning white sand beaches, Chunnambar Boat House is ideal for boating and is also a great picnic spot in Pondicherry.

You can also check out other beaches like auto beach, kalapet beach, south of Pondy like Pondy marina, veerampattinam beach, paradise beach etc or book a resort and enjoy a lazy beach day.

All the main bars, restaurants, clubs etc are in the main town,the oval shape old town. Crosskeys, cozy and few other pubs are there. Head to catamaran as it’s the first brew pub in Pondy and they have interesting drinks and food. Shopping can be done on M Gandhi street on Sunday afternoon to evening- a flea market with cheap goods and food, JN street, Mission street, Anna Salai(the ring road around Pondy old town. For restaurants, you can just try good rated bakeries and cafes for India food veg – Surguru, Murugan cafe, KBS Non veg – Kamatchi Pizza – Taka Pizzeria Ice cream & snacks – Richy rich.

Puducherry, a fascinating, small town with enough elements to charm its visitors, was once the largest French colony in India.

(A marketing initiative by Open Avenues)

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