Pondicherry - The French Riviera of the East

Pondicherry, officially known as Puducherry, and commonly referred to as just Pondy, is one of the seven Union Territories of India. This former French colony is a perfect amalgamation of the traditional Indian sensibilities and French architecture, making it a dreamy escape that offers the best of both worlds. The streets of the French Quarter of Pondicherry, also known as White Town, are dotted with charming mustard-yellow colonial structures with bougainvillaea laden walls. These are interspersed with cosy cafes and chic boutiques that offer delectable French cuisine and beverages. Simply strolling down these streets, can give the traveller an insight into the fairy-tale charm of Pondicherry.

Once the part of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry displays a great influence of it in its cuisine, architecture as well as language. Hence, you can expect to relish potpourri of Tamil and French culture in this is a beautiful union territory. Pondicherry is indeed a synonym of Auroville. Of course, tourists know it for its French houses and cafes, but Auroville certainly has its own importance when it comes to must-see places in Pondicherry.

The much-revered Matri Mandir and the concept of human unity in diversity are a big draw for people who spend days, weeks, and months here volunteering, meditating, and interning. Once, out of the spiritual realm of Auroville, tourists have the chance to relish the beach life of Pondicherry. The Promenade Beach that flanks the White Town area may not have a sandy area to stroll on but it does offer quite a scenic spot for visitors to spend hours at. The Paradise beach, on the other hand, has everything a beach lover is looking for - golden sand, azure water, water activities, and the coolest crowd. Keep some time at hand to relish the French and Tamil culture and tradition meld where you have the opportunity to witness Pondicherry’s cuisine, rural life, cooking demo of old recipes, weaving workshops, sculpture art, musical trail, the local game "petanque", puppet shows along with an experience of handmade paper tours with workshop and much more. Another major attraction of Pondicherry that cannot be missed is Aurobindo Ashram. Yes, you may have to stand in a long queue for your turn to enter but the place is worth the wait. 

Pondicherry, when compared to other tourist destinations in India, may have a slower pace of life, but this attracts anyone looking for quiet holiday time with an opportunity to cycle everywhere and relish cheaper booze, and delectable food coming from the Tamil and French kitchens. Apart from this, Pondicherry also houses a number of must-visit Hindu temples and Churches that have spectacular architecture to adore. The churches in Pondicherry mostly date back to the 18th or 19th century, whereas the Hindu temples have a history going back to the 17th century. Amongst the popular temples in Pondicherry are Villianur Thirukameeswarar Temple and Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Devasthanam. Library, museums, war memorial, and statues are some other important places for sightseeing in Pondicherry and missing out any of these is not suggested. Pondicherry experiences three major seasons, namely, summer, monsoon and winter. The summer season lasts from March to June, with the average temperature being 41°C. One advantage of visiting it during this time is the fewer crowds, thus allowing you to explore and enjoy without the usual rush. The summer season in Pondicherry is also the best time for enjoying various water activities at the beach. 

How to Reach:

Chennai is the second nearest domestic as well as international airport which is approximately 135 kilometres away from Pondicherry. The Chennai airport is well connected to all major cities across the globe. Once you reach the airport, you can hire a private taxi to reach Pondicherry.