Pondicherry is one of the most popular tourism destinations in South India. Pondicherry has everything your heart desires for a perfect holiday. Some of the Best Places to visit in Pondicherry for your next visit can include sun-kissed beaches, unseen ashrams, monumental museums towering family parks and chic clubs. Yes, this is what everyone wants. That should happen once in a lifetime. Both stay at luxurious resorts or splurge all night long. Following is the list of places, which ought to not be overlooked at all while visiting Pondicherry.
This town has age-old culture and architecture to explore as a masterpiece. Pondicherry — A hit among the backpacker community, Pondicherry is one of those pretty places dotted with hidden gems that you have to unravel over months. Pondicherry remained a French colony for 138 years (Pondicherry was under the French flag from 1674 until October 1999). On the 1st of November in 1954, effectively French-built possessions were transferred to India and Pondicherry became a Union Territory. However, it was not until 1963 that Pondicherry formally became a permanent part of India.
Best Places to visit in Pondicherry
1. Sri Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry
One of the most popular tourist places to visit in Pondicherry, Sri Aurobindo Ashram is located on the eastern side. Pondicherry where The ashram was established in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa, also known as “The Mother” who resided here. Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) was an Indian philosopher, poet and yoga guru. Tourists and spiritual seekers also can find peace by visiting this Ashram. The ashram consists of several interconnected buildings centered around a tree and a shrine-covered courtyard called t
he Samadhi. It houses the bodies of both Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. This is a family-friendly ashram to relax your body and mind from the stress of routine life. Its shining exterior and the plainness of its building are well welcomed, both to my eyes. Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a visual treat for anyone who has ever been curious about life, all over the globe.
| Location | Junction of Manakula Vinayagar No. 9 Marine Street, Manakula Vinayagar Koil St, Near Junction of, Pondicherry, 605002 |
| Timings | 8 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 6 pm |
| Entry Fees | None |
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2. Paradise Beach Pondicherry
During the latter part of the 20th century, visitors started to venture beyond traditional sites within Pondicherry like Sri Aurobindo Ashram and nearby beaches. Plage Paradiso (Paradise Beach/ Chunnambar) is Named by residents because it’s a quiet haven close to the centre of town. To be at the beach is a paradise because of how blue watercolor; gold and silver sand.
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The boat ride through the backwaters to get here is just as special and gives you 360 views of this golden paradise. It is one of the places you cannot afford to miss in Pondicherry. Paradise Beach — This beach is a delight for bird lovers and hosts some of the rare, exotic species. To explore this popular weekend getaway from Pondicherry, the best time to visit is during November-March. The beach also has water sports like Canoeing, kayaking, swimming and Jet Ski so that adventure lovers can have their share over there. You can hire the equipment at some surfing schools in town.
| Location | Chinnaiyan Peth Main Road, Pondicherry 605013 |
| Timings | All days of week(12:00AM– 12:00PM) |
| Entry Fees | None |
3. Auroville– Peaceful Living
It was founded in 1968 and the name means `the city of Dawn`. It is a world-outward town wherein humans of all the nations on earth will live together inharmony to manifest—Human UNITY. This is Auroville’s mission-to live together in peace, beyond beliefs and social differences. It is a popular spot in Pondicherry for tourists visiting
The central golden globe of Auroville is the Matrimandir, a large meditation room in which you merely sit and hear your inner self. blessed with emerald meadows and forests. Auroville– For the pleasant climate and welcoming human beings. It becomes more enjoyable. Auroville is another attraction that Pondicherry offers to entice travellers, who in turn expect some of the best wellness and spiritual services around. People from 124 countries including Israelis and Indians from 23 states carried their local soil, while others deposited the same in a marble urn. And while you are here, do not miss out on the things to witness in Auroville.
| Location | Auroville: The City of Dawn, Matrimandir, Auroville Rd, Auroville, Bommayapalayam, Tamil Nadu 605101 |
| Timings | NA |
| Entry Fees | No |
4. Pondicherry Botanical Garden
Botanical Gardens- Built in the 19th century by French colonists, these gardens are home to more than 1.5K species of plants & cover an area of around 22 hectares. Notable flowers in this area are many species of roses, as well as lucid orchids and jasmine. Tourist Places in Pondicherry” Additional information like the tree use, oxygen generation and medicinal value make this outsmart than others. At this park, you and your family will enjoy a good Sunday picnic here as well as some rides on the little children’s train in combination with heartwarming views of fountains sitting in pretty flower beds alongside small aquariums which are enough for leisure bird watching from within pruned trees. Certainly one of the most popular places to visit in Pondicherry.
| Location | Botanical Garden, WRJC+3XM, Maraimalai, Maraimalai Adigal Salai, near Anna Statue, Orleanpet, Pondicherry, 605001 |
| Timings | 9 AM– 6PM |
| Entry Fees | INR 20, free for children below 12 years |
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5. Chunnambar Boat House Pondicherry
One should also plan the trip to Chunnamabr Boathouse: This is known as “Plage Paradiso” and has been promoted by the Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation with beautiful boating & picnicking that can be done in this backwater spot where the Chinese-Republic River meets into the Bay of Bengal. Chunnamabr The Chunnamabr picnic spot is a small village of 7 km from the entire Pondicherry Township. Enjoy boating in motor boats, speedboats, and sailboat rowed boat water scooters paddled/pedaled of different varieties which will cruise through clear backwaters and thick mangrove forest. You might catch a fisherman and people coming from inside grooves harvesting coconuts. Chunnambar is a haven for food lovers and the exotic seafood at Seagull your typical self-service multi-cuisine restaurant there too is to die for
| Location | Chunnambar Boat House, Chunnambar River, Nonankuppam, Pondicherry 605007 |
| Timings | 9:30 AM– 5 PM |
| Entry Fees | INR 5 |
6. Old Lighthouse Pondicherry
This is also a great delightful site for history lovers. Constructed in 1836 by the French rulers, who at one time owned parts of South India, it was the selected lighthouse for boats gliding on the ocean. Old Lighthouse: This is an amazing architectural figure. Visible from Beach Road, it is one of the most famous landmarks in Pondicherry. The figure is 29 metres tall and set upon a rectangular base. Erected by celebrated French engineer L. Guerre this one possessed three apertures, to wit; a stairstop, an opening for the watchman and a spec store.
The lighthouse was deactivated, but a replacement light was built in 1970 at Keerapalayam village. This lighthouse stood as the only beacon for ships passing or docking in the Red Hill ocean once upon a time. However, now it is at most just like a flimsy memory of what used to be engineering and architecture in those days. You and your family take in a spectacular view of the Sea as well on one side and stunning sunsets with friends.
| Location | WRMP+286 Old Lighthouse, White Town, Pondicherry, 605001 |
| Timings | 9 AM– 5PM |
| Entry Fees | No |
In the end, Pondicherry is a tourist paradise that no human would like to miss. While the Sri Aurobindo Ashram provides you with spiritual serenity, Auroville offers a way to be amidst absolute peace and tranquillity whereas Paradise Beach will simply amaze you with wondrous beauty. The entrance to the Botanical gardens is green and inviting, while the Chunnambar Boat House backs you up into its calm backwaters. The Old Lighthouse is anemblem of the city’s engineering past, and also sea represents a calmness for this place. These offer a panorama for the delight of onlookers. The confluence of French-style architecture, spiritual roots and beautiful geographical features cements Pondicherry as a must-visit destination that every traveller should own on their travel bucket list. Pondicherry
offers a remarkable experience to everyone, whether an adventure enthusiast or someone who aims for knowledge during their journey here — in fact no matter what you are seeking, Pondi will always be calling YOU back
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