Top Places to Visit in Pondicherry
About Pondicherry
Pondicherry is situated along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. According to a legend, Pondicherry was known as Veda Puri, and this place is also considered to be the abode of the saint Agastya. Pondicherry attracts a large number of tourists every year with its attractive tourist destinations. Pondicherry was a French colony until 1954, hence it is known in India as mini France. The roads here are very clean and neatly paved. Many people here follow French culture and speak French too.
Pondicherry was renamed Puducherry in the year 2006. The name means ‘new village’ in the Tamil language. Pondicherry is a great tourist destination in India, which is known for its small and clean beaches.
Tourists can witness the fascinating views of sunset and sunrise during their visit here. Steeped in French history and culture, this place attracts everyone with its French colonial buildings and monuments. The best time to visit Pondicherry is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and the temperature is low. Tourists can enjoy many water sports here at Karaikal Beach and Paradise Beach, which include kayaking, jet skiing, canoeing, scuba diving and backwater boating. The best way to reach Pondicherry is by flight. The nearest major airport to Pondicherry is Chennai, which is at a distance of 119 km.
Places to visit in Pondicherry
- Aurobindo Ashram
Aurobindo Ashram, in the White Town area, is named after Sri Aurobindo Ghosh. Aurobindo Ghosh lived here till 1950 and when he died, Mirra Alfassa took charge of the Ahram. The Ashram is dedicated to experiencing peace and salvation. This is a must-visit place if you are looking for spiritual enlightenment.
- Promenade Beach
Promenade Beach is spread over 1.2 km, and people love to play volleyball at this beach. One can enjoy jogging, walking, skating, yoga and swimming on this beach. War Memorial, Joan of Arc statue, Heritage Town Hall, Old Lighthouse and Mahatma Gandhi statue are located in the vicinity of this beach.
- Serenity Beach
Serenity Beach is located in Kottakuppam. It is at a distance of 10 km from Pondicherry. This beach is also known as Thanthirayan Kuppam Beach or Saade Kottakuppam Beach.
- Auroville
Auroville is also called a Universal Town. It is located at a distance of about 15 km from Pondicherry. This town was the initiative of Mirra Alfassa. Currently, over 3000 people from 200 countries live in this town officially.
- Arikamedu
Arikamedu is an ancient Roman trade centre, which is a half-hour drive from the city of Pondicherry. The port city acted as a famous maritime centre from the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD. The Arikamedu glass-bead manufacturing factory is worth visiting here.
- Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden was built by G.S.Perrotet in the year 1860. The garden also has a fish house and a variety of exotic plants.
- Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple
It is located at a distance of 10 km from Pondicherry. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. French influence is seen in this temple. Rath yatra is celebrated here with great enthusiasm.
- Pondicherry Lighthouse
The Pondicherry Lighthouse is an attractive place near the beach in Pondicherry. There are two lighthouses – an old one and a new one. The new lighthouse is about 48 metres tall and is a place for cultural events, concerts and commercial activities.
- Basilica of The Sacred Heart of Jesus
This church is 2.5 km from Pondicherry Bus Stand on the Southern Boulevard of the city. It is among the 21 basilicas located in India and was built in 1908 by French missionaries. It was given the status of a Basilica in 2011. Christmas, New Year and Good Friday are celebrated with great enthusiasm at this place.
- French War Memorial
It is dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. On 14th July every year, an annual memorial ceremony is held at this place.
