Pondicherry

Pondicherry is the capital of the Union Territory of Pondicherry, India, now known as Puducherry. Pondicherry was a French settlement till 1954. The city is dotted with French-style houses, shops, churches and bright coloured cafés. Places to visit in Pondicherry like Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville are flocked by visitors from all over the world who come here in search of spiritual bliss through yoga and meditation. Other places to visit in Pondicherry demonstrate a perfect amalgamation of French and Indian culture. Be it the nightlife, clubs and beach parties or the cafés and restaurants serving impeccable French cuisine, you will find a blend of both cultures everywhere.

Pondicherry Overview

Best Time to Explore Places to Visit in Pondicherry

Pondicherry experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. Summers (April to June) experience temperatures up to 41 °C. Pondicherry weather is extremely humid during the monsoons from June to September. The best time to visit Pondicherry is during the winter (October to March). The temperature shuttles between 15°C to 30°C making it an ideal time to explore places to visit in Pondicherry.

How to Reach the Places to Visit in Pondicherry?

You can make your travel plan during the best time to visit Pondicherry. If you want to reach Pondicherry by air, then Chennai International Airport is the closest one. This airport is well-connected to all the important cities in the country. Take a taxi from Chennai airport and travel 135km to explore the places to visit in Pondicherry. You can also take a train to Villupuram railway station which is 35 km from Pondicherry. There are regular train services to Villupuram from Trichy, Madurai and Chennai. Pondicherry is best connected by roadways. Private buses and cabs ply from neighbouring cities. After reaching here, you can book a cab to go around places to visit in Pondicherry.

What are the Things to See & Do in Pondicherry?

Stroll down the streets of Pondicherry and enjoy its fairytale charm or take a tour of places to visit in Pondicherry and get a glimpse of French culture on Indian roads. These places to visit in Pondicherry are notable for maintaining remnants of French heritage with Indian culture and providing tourists with a pleasant time. The laid-back appeal of Pondicherry is evident while visiting the charming French section of town. From beaches to historical buildings and temples to churches, this coastal city has much to offer.

Paradise Beach, Pondicherry

One of the most popular places to visit in Pondicherry, this beach is equally loved by the local people as well as the tourists. The blue waters, golden sand and palm trees will steal your heart. The beach shacks are a popular joint for the young crowd although consumption of alcohol is not allowed on this beach. Swimming is not advisable on Paradise Beach- Pondicherry but you can try your hands at fishing.

Rock Beach, Pondicherry

Enjoy the sunrise at this immaculate Pondicherry Beach as you feel the morning breeze brush against your skin. It is one of the most photogenic places to visit in Pondicherry. The only beach in Pondicherry where the shore is densely packed with rocks. This Pondicherry Beach is also known as Promenade Beach or Gandhi Beach. It is usually crowded on weekends, but it is well-maintained. The shops and restaurants near the beach serve hot and tasty snacks.

Botanical Garden Pondicherry

This garden was established in 1826 as an elegant French garden. The grand entry showcases excellent French architecture and as you enter, you are welcomed by peace and greenery. There are more than 1500 varieties of plants, giant trees and fossil plants. Nature lovers should add this place to the list of places to visit in Pondicherry and enjoy the bounties of nature under one roof!

Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry

Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual community started by its founder Aurobindo Ghosh in 1926. He aimed at helping people to attain inner peace and salvation. Mirra Alfassa, his disciple, popularly called Mother took care of the Ashram after his death. The Ashram receives thousands of guests from all over the world. They come to pay respect to the samadhis of Sri Aurobindo and Mother. This place tops the chart of places to visit in Pondicherry, so dont miss it.

Food to Try in the Places to Visit in Pondicherry

Tamil and French cuisines have a great influence on Pondicherry food. Multiple French cafés and eateries that serve amazing French food dominate the area. Some of the French dishes that are not to be missed in these cafés are baguettes, croissants, ratatouille, bouillabaisse etc. Pondicherry food is available in all the places to visit in Pondicherry. If you dont want to experiment with French food then you can go with simple South Indian dishes like idli, vada, dosa, sambar rice etc. With the increasing number of North Indians in Pondicherry, new North Indian food stalls have started cropping up close to places to visit in Pondicherry.

Shopping in Places to Visit in Pondicherry

Other than spending time at the places to visit in Pondicherry, you can also indulge in shopping. Not just hand-crafted mementoes, it is one-stop shop for fashionable products. Low taxes on selected items make it a haven for shopaholics. Pondicherry traditional dolls are quite famous and make for a good gifting option. The city is also known for producing textiles, so you will find a large variety of them in shops. Boutiques in places to visit in Pondicherry sell exclusive items like semi-precious stones, perfumes, hand-made incense, candles embossed with real petals, marbled silks to aromatherapy products. There is a souvenir shop in Sri Aurobindo Ashram which sells memorabilia, greeting cards, books, perfumed candles, incense sticks, handmade paper items and much more.

Nearby Places to visit Pondicherry

Madurai

Seated 340 km from Puducherry, Madurai is one of the most ancient cities in the world! It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, ancient temples, and vibrant markets. The most iconic landmark of Madurai is the Meenakshi Amman Temple including the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, Gandhi Memorial Museum, and the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam Tank. Madurai is also known for its cuisine, which includes spicy curries, flavourful chutneys, and crispy dosas.

Bangalore 

Bengaluru is a bustling metropolis located 313 km from Puducherry. The city bears a rich cultural heritage and is famous for its pleasant climate, beautiful parks, and vibrant nightlife. Dotted with numerous temples, museums, and galleries, some of the prime attractions include the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Bangalore Palace, and the Vidhana Soudha. 

Yercaud

Yercaud is a picturesque hill station located in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu. Located 244 km from Puducherry, Yercud sits in the valley of the Eastern Ghats, 1500 meters above sea level, and is famous for its pristine beauty. Some popular attractions in Yercaud are Yercaud Lake, Lady's Seat, and Kiliyur. The town is also home to several coffee and spice plantations.

Yelagiri

Yelagiri is a charming hill station situated in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district. It is 222 km from Puducherry and is surrounded by the lush greenery of the Eastern Ghats. Seated at an altitude of 1,110 meters above sea level it is home to several scenic spots such as Jalagamparai Waterfalls, Punganoor Lake, and Swamimalai Hill. The Yelagiri Summer Festival, held annually in May, is another major attraction here.

Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, situated 95 km from Puducherry is a beautiful town renowned for its ancient temples, rock-cut caves, and exquisite sculptures that reflect the golden era of its ancient dynasties. Mahabalipuram is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the stunning Group of Monuments, which include the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas, the Arjuna's Penance, and the Varaha Cave. It is a must-visit destination for history and art lovers.

Conclusion

Places to visit in Pondicherry have a lot to offer with classic French bakeries, Bohemian shops, and cobble-stoned walkways that are ideal for a stroll or a bicycle ride. Attracting half a million tourists every year who come to unwind and relax in this fable-like town, it also fascinates adventure seekers with exciting water sports activities. Home to Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville, it is a place where people from different countries, cultures and religions live together in harmony. Visit this unique coastal destination and enjoy its many marvels.