Puducherry - Place of SÉRÉNITÉ..

Puducherry/ Pondicherry, colloquially known as PONDY is a small place in radius nearly 15 km. Pondicherry/ Puducherry is a union territory situated at 90 km from Chennai on shore of Bay of Bengal. It is one of the big attractions in south India for travellers because of it's neat and clean beaches and old French architecture colony and churches.

Once you hit Pondy, just head to Mission road which is 2 Km from the railway station, there you can easily rent bikes/cars and start exploring.

Famous Beaches - Auro/Paradise/Mahatma Gandhi (MG)

Things To Experience : Sun Bath, Heritage Buildings, Water Sports, Night Life.  

Accommodation - one can rent personal  home and hotel and sea view hotel , resort.

In Pondy you have many options to stay .You can get good hotel with in 2 km range from MG beach. some of them have sea view and are pretty economical.

If  you are ready to go outside of city, 5-6 km from railway station, there are many guest houses cum farm house on beaches with all facilities like food, swimming pool and ample greenery. 

These guest houses have all sports facilities to let you start your day on an exciting note.

Paradise beach is one of the pristine beaches of Pondicherry and is punctiliously taken care of. It's better to reach there in the morning. 

To get to Paradise Beach you will have to catch a boat from Chunnambar boat house, which is around 7 Kms away from the city.

Lovely roads en-route to the boat house will keep your spirits lively.

Enjoy the short boat ride from Chunnambar boat house to Paradise beach.

Lovely Paradise Beach welcomes you in a beautiful way. Once you reach at paradise beach you can't stop yourself from taking dip in it.

Changing rooms are available here for men/women. Enjoy the chilled beer at the beach and the snacks at small bakery.

  

Enjoy your day off, relax, play sports or in short - do whatever you want to do here. Or simply chill...

Can try your hands at Volleyball or any other sports too.

Playing and relaxing we forgot that it was evening now - Time to explore the city and try some local food available.

Mahatma Gandhi beach, also known as rock beach, is in middle of the city. People come here to see sunrise and sunset. Couples can spend quality time in evening here. MG road, beside and parallel to the beach, is a lovely road of almost 1 km.

There is a huge statue, 4 meter high, of Mahatma Gandhi on the beach road.

Statue is surrounded by eight granite pillars, which were supposedly brought from Gingee, a fort some 70 km from Pondicherry.

Pondy is known for it old French style churches. There are almost 8-10 churches designed in old French style, some of them are more than 100 year old. Basilica church is very beautiful and calm place for offering prayers. A huge idol of Lord Jesus and bright light makes it utterly soothing for the devotees... 

Eating - Pondy is also well acclaimed for very delicious french cuisine and south Indian food. There are  few very good french bakeries and very good french restaurants, serving authentic French food.

Bakers Street, 123, Bussy St, Puducherry, 605001.

Delicious pastries, mousse, coffee, apple cake, French doughnut, chocolate truffle and many more...!!!

If you happen to be at Pondy, Bakers Street, during Christmas - must try their traditional dessert  La Bûche de Noël.

Also Le Club, Which claims to be the first restaurant in Pondy to serve French cuisine is a very popular restaurant in the city to dive in for dinner.

THINGS YOU MUST COVER APART FROM ABOVE ... !!!

French war memorial - the most eye catching monument in Pondicherry. The lighting arrangements on the place magnify the beauty in the night.

last but not least, Auroville (Sri Aurobindo Ashram),- MUST VISIT 

Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a well known ashram, devotees from India and all over the world come here for spiritual salvation. Its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science. The Ashram was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo Ghose, an Indian freedom fighter, poet, philosopher, and yogi.

Mirra Alfassa (also known as ‘The Mother’) was one of the followers, born in Paris and was so inspired by his philosophy that she stayed in Pondicherry. After 24 November 1926, when Sri Aurobindo retired into seclusion, she founded his ashram (Sri Aurobindo Ashram), with a handful of disciples. With Sri Aurobindo's full approval she became the leader of the community, a position she held until her death. 

Pondicherry Railway Station - Catch connecting trains to Chennai, Bangalore and major stations from here.

Compelling beaches and one of the most acclaimed places in India is calling.

Keep on travelling  ......

Au Revoir....!!!

" With Contribution from Yogendar Singh "