Travel Guide of Pondicherry in India by Influencers and Travelers

Pondicherry University also known as PU is one of the most renowned central university of South India located in Kalapet, Pondicherry, Union Territory of Puducherry, India.

Pictures and Stories of Pondicherry from Influencers

13 pictures of Pondicherry from Aswathy N, Virendra Vikram, Sujith Devanagari and other travelers

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How to visit Pondicherry ?

Why traveling there?

Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry, is a charming coastal city on the southeastern coast of India. It's a former French colony and boasts a unique blend of French and Indian cultures. Traveling to Pondicherry offers a delightful mix of history, architecture, beaches, and spirituality. The city is home to the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville, an experimental township with a focus on sustainability and harmony.

How to get there?

The nearest airport to Pondicherry is Chennai International Airport, about 150 km away. From Chennai, you can either hire a taxi or take a bus to Pondicherry. There are frequent buses operated by both private companies and the government. Alternatively, you can take a train to Villupuram Junction, around 40 km from Pondicherry, and then take a taxi or bus to the city.

What to book in advance?

It's recommended to book accommodation and guided tours in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons (October to March). If you plan to visit Auroville and attend workshops or events, it's best to check their website and book ahead. For popular restaurants, consider making reservations.

What are the costs?

Pondicherry offers a range of accommodations, from budget to luxury, with prices starting from $10 per night for budget hotels and going up to $200 or more for high-end options. Meals at local restaurants cost around $2-$5, while fine dining establishments may charge $15-$25 per person. Transportation within the city is relatively cheap, with auto-rickshaws and taxis being the most common modes of transport. Entry fees to museums and attractions are generally low, ranging from $1-$5.

What are the best things to do?

1. Explore the French Quarter with its colonial architecture, vibrant streets, and charming cafes.
2. Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and learn about its history and spiritual teachings.
3. Spend a day at Auroville, exploring its unique architecture, gardens, and workshops.
4. Relax on the beaches, such as Paradise Beach and Serenity Beach.
5. Visit museums like the Pondicherry Museum and Bharathidasan Museum of Pondicherry.

Where to eat?

1. Café des Arts: A cozy café in the French Quarter serving delicious French and Indian dishes.
2. Surguru: A popular vegetarian restaurant offering the best of South Indian cuisine.
3. Villa Shanti: A fine dining option known for its seafood and fusion dishes.

Where to stay?

1. Villa Shanti: A boutique hotel with a mix of modern and traditional designs.
2. The Promenade: A luxury hotel offering sea-facing rooms and top-notch amenities.
3. La Closerie: A charming guesthouse with a traditional French ambiance.

Off the beaten path

For an unusual travel experience, visit the Ousteri Wetland and National Park, located about 10 km from Pondicherry. This lesser-known destination is home to diverse flora and fauna, with over 40 species of migratory birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. You can take a boat tour through the wetlands, observe wildlife, or simply enjoy a peaceful day away from the bustling city.

The Best Things to Do and Visit around Pondicherry

Disover the best Instagram Spots around Pondicherry here

1 - Puducherry

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2 - Matrimandir

The Matrimandir is an edifice of spiritual significance for practitioners of Integral yoga, in the centre of Auroville established by The Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is called soul of the city and is situated in a large open space called Peace. Matrimandir does not belong to any particular religion or section

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3 - Mountain Bike Tours in Pondicherry

Enjoy Pondicherry the best way ever with a morning cycle ride all over the city. In a safe way, Cycle around French, Muslim and Tamil quarters of Pondicherry city on a vintage-style bicycle during this early morning 2-hour guided tour. Explore quiet city before people starts their activities. Discover little alleys, beautiful buildings, perfect places to make nice shoots, all you need to see in Pondicherry.

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4 - Auroville

   7 km away

Auroville is an experimental township in Viluppuram district mostly in the state of Tamil Nadu, India with some parts in the Union Territory of Puducherry in South India. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa and designed by architect Roger Anger. As stated in Alfassa's first public message in 1965,

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5 - Indian Ocean

   8 km away
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6 - Motorcycle Tours in Pondicherry

Experience the Beauty of Pondicherry explored in a Day City Tour with some interesting explanations by the Organizer about the Sites. Suggesting good dine & wines in the city, have a leisure shopping on the roadside handicrafts shops, clothing and eatables. Enjoy the sizzling Water rides on the backwater of Pondicherry and spend sometime in the Clean Beach Dunes of "Paradise Island"

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7 - Goubert Avenue

   10 km away

Rock Beach is the popular stretch of beachfront in the city of Puducherry, India, along the Bay of Bengal. It is a 1.2-kilometre-long stretch in Pondicherry, starts from War Memorial and end at Dupleix Park on the Goubert Avenue.

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8 - Shore Excursions in Pondicherry

Yoga Alliance Teacher Training Course in India Open yourself up to the countless opportunities with SANCYA school of yoga's 200-hour yoga teacher training course near Auroville and Puducherry, India. This 200-hour course will help you discover the relationship between mind and body through yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques. SANCYA yoga focuses on how you can heal yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally using five elements, SANCYA School of Yoga is recognized by Yoga Alliance USA. Whether you are planning to start a new career as a yoga teacher, or are seeking a course for deep personal interest and expansion of your yoga knowledge and practice, this teacher training program will give you a firm foundation for both. This 24 days of yoga teacher training course will be unique because you will be guided by three yoga and naturopathy doctors and one yogic pandit.

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9 - Archaeology Tours in Pondicherry

Travelers visiting Pondicherry will find Arikamedu mentioned in a lot of tourist brochures, as it should be, but sadly enough there is very little information to be had. And a visit to the site itself reveals nothing of the historical significance and the archaeological bounty that lies buried in layers of soil beneath the crumbling ruins of the French Mission House. Indeed, it is quite futile to go to Arikamedu unless you accompanied by someone who has knowledge of its past - stretching back to 2nd century BCE, and beyond! At the site, there is no information board, or a person to explain the history of the place.

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10 - Bike Rentals in Pondicherry

Providing best vehicle for Easy mode of Transfer & at Disposal Accompanying Tour Guide for the day Tour

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Learn More about Pondicherry

Pondicherry is one of those cities that you grow to love as time goes by. From the hedonistic to the more spiritual traveller, you'll find a reason to linger amidst the boulevards and waterfront cafes. Pondicherry's French heritage Pondicherry was founded by the French East India Company in 1674. It was designed in the image of metropolitan cities. The waterfront promenade and grid urban design endowed this commercial port with a kind of European rationalism. A ring road surrounds it and the old canal divides the white city from the black city, the areas where the settlers and the local population resided respectively. The French imprint is particularly noticeable in the white city, which started at the canal and stretched all the way to the sea. Even today, it is still full of colonial buildings. You will recognise the French institutions because they are still painted in tan yellow. Several colonial institution buildings are being restored, in some cases as accommodation or restaurants, but also as public heritage sites. This is the case of the old town hall, which was in a dilapidated state. Strolling through the streets between Kassim Salai Avenue and the sea, you'll find the Raj Niwas, the old lighthouse, the town hall, the French consulate general, the French Institute... The French did not emphasise Christianisation. The town has some imposing churches, although they are not the most prominent buildings in the urban fabric. Pastel colours cover Our Lady of the Angels, erected in 1865. It is one of the most striking Catholic churches, tucked away in the second line of the sea. It is known as the church of Dumas. Inside is a beautiful oil painting of Our Lady of the Assumption given to the church by Napoleon III. Pondicherry Cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. It's near the market, one of the busiest parts of the city, but inside it's a haven of peace. In the southern part of the colonial city is the neo-gothic Sacred Heart of Jesus Basilica.

   Where to Stay near Pondicherry

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