Pondicherry
Pondicherry - Largest French colony in India
Recently renamed as Puducherry, this tiny union territory is another place reliving the Portugal memories. This place offers unique experience and amazing holiday experiences making it the favorite for South Indian Tourism. The town lies on four coastal regions with historic French connection. It offers wide spread variety of lip smacking cuisine, spiritual culture, greenery boulevards, untouched beaches and lovely backwaters.
Major Attractions of Pondicherry
-
Pondicherry Botanical Garden
This is a must visit site if you plan a trip to Puducherry. There is ornamental flora and rarest crotons colorfully watered by half a dozen glorious fountains sprinkling water. Kids will enjoy the Children’s Train one of the major attractions here. There is a large aquarium of ornamental fish, Dancing Fountain, Musical Fountain Show (weekend evenings), and Japanese Rock.
-
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
This is a spectacular Ashram that is synonymous with the place Pondicherry. This library and craft center also has a variety of artefacts including Ayurveda medication to modern incense and paper dolls. The Samadhi of the founders Sri Aurobindo and The Mother (Mirra Alfassa) rest here. Thronged by tourists from around the world, it has an Ashram Factory and cafe and Pizza eatery nearby.
-
Church of Our Lady of Angels
The Eglise de Notre Dame Des Anges is a beautiful church worth a visit if you travel to Pondicherry. Famous for its brilliant masonry the structure is similar to Basilica at Lourdes at South France. This awe striking structure made of a unique texture (limestone with egg white) resembling marble stone. The center dome has eight openings and barrel vaults Our Lady with Young Jesus is anterior.
-
Chunnambar Boat House
This recreational tourist spot is close by to Pondicherry in the midst of white sand beaches. This is the best place to spend a hot noon as it is surrounded by tranquil backwaters. Take a pleasure boat ride and built a makeshift tent on the shores of the white windy beaches. Relax while taking in the breathtaking view and listening to the sounds of gushing waves.
-
Villianur Temple Car Festive
TThis is another must do activity if you visit Pondicherry during this festival time and hottest month May. People gather to get a glimpse of main deity of Puducherry decked up in mythological times driven all over town. It is a rare chance to pull the chariots and distribute goodies considered auspicious. It is a belief that distributing food fulfills his wishes.
Best Time to Visit Pondicherry
It is best to visit this scenic union territory during the winter months of October to March before summer heats up. The weather is cool and pleasant during this time. Other months constitute of monsoon which is wet and is not advisable.
How to Reach Pondicherry
Chennai is the nearest airport to catch international/ domestic flights. There are a few small aircrafts that can land in Pondicherry from Hyderabad and Bangalore. However there is a well connected railway station close to Villupuram connecting to major cities in India. Famous trains are Nagarcoli Express and New Delhi Pondicherry Express. Hiring a car/ taxi is the best way to get around town once there.
Shopping in Pondicherry
Pondicherry is a shopper's paradise where you get things from consumer goods to cars. Pondicherry is great to pick up textile and fabric like corduroy, twill, satin, Khadis, leathers, and Oxford. Apart from handmade paper at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, there are other places famous for various things. For traditional & contemporary Pottery words the Golden Bridge and Rhinestone Art places are great for earthenware.