Pondicherry Things to Do Tips by abi_maha Top 5 Page for this destination

Beaches

No beach in the heart of the city....but enroute to Pondy from Chennai you will see plenty of amazing beaches...go ahead and take a dip in some of them...it's truly an unforgettable experience! Most beaches are absolutely deserted so u will hav them all to urself!

Bharati park

The park is divided into four sections with the Ayi Mandapam in the centre, which is being used as a traffic island and vehicles pass through all the four roads.In 1706, it was built as a stellate-shaped fort. Christened Fort St Louis, it had a moat around it, which was fed by the Petit Canal, which in turn was fed by the Uppar River. This fort, however, was pulled down in 1778 by the British. Even before Fort St Louis was constructed, Pondicherry had seen several forts, but they were all destroyed and rebuilt time and again. In 1787, the French finally decided not to construct any more forts and it was used as a parade ground for a few years and then it finally became a park.Normally, European squares have all the important buildings around them, so does the Bharathi Park. The Government General Hospital came up in 1853, the Assembly in 1962 (earlier it housed a tribunal and a medical college) and other buildings such as the Raj Nivas, UCO Bank and Chamber de Commerce surround the park. As for the Ayi Mandapam , only after the French faced a water crisis, they went in search of water and then the monument came into being.

Drive frm Chennai to Pondy

Its a beautiful drive! The ECNr road is a Toll-road, n is one of the best for drives in India. Its so scenic and picturesque dat u will stop a million times enroute to Pondy to click snaps, take a dip in the sea etc

Auroville Auroville Review

Just recently revisited Pondi (I now live like a stone's throw away from Pondi) and so it was but natural that when 4 of my closest friends came over for a 'womens only weekend', we headed to pondicherry to spend an afternoon in the Auroville Campus... Even as we deviate off from ECR into the road that takes us to the Auroville property the may quaint shops selling stoles, clothes and footwear are an extreme temptation esp to a car full of women!! ;-)
None the less we decided to check them all out on the way back and reached Auroville at around 3 PM. The many trees in this property definitely help pull down the soaring heat by a degree or two. We visited the Visitor Center that pretty much tells you everything you need to know about this place. Then a short stop at the cafe on the way to the Matrimandir and we were on our way to the Golden Globe shaped Matrimandir. The slightly longish walk is not at all taxing. Do stop at the Banyan Tree for a couple of mins and feel free to wash your face at the water tank near it :-) We sure did and it was awesomely refreshing!!
To gain entry into the Matrimandir it seems we should take an appointment 2 days in advance for the meditation sessions that happen between 9 AM and 11 AM. We didn't so we couldn't enter :( All in all it is such a peaceful way to spend half a day!
While there do remember to buy some incense sticks and scented candles. They are almost half the price of what you get them here in Chennai!

paradise Beach

Plage Paradiso, popularly known as Paradise Beach, is situated at Chunnambar, in the close proximity of Pondicherry town. It is a sought after tourist attraction, as the cool breeze and golden sand serve the beach as a resting hub.

The view of the sunrise is amazing from the shore. A stream on one side of the beach enriches the beauty of the pleasant beach. Sun bathing and a variety of water sports activities are major draws here. Beach volleyball, beach umbrellas, nets and fishing rods are all available for the enthusiast travelers. This is really a secluded beach to relax.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram Sri Aurobindo Ashram Review

Founded in 1926, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram has grown from a small group of two dozen disciples into a large diversified community with almost 1200 members. Counting the 400 students of the Centre of Education and the hundreds of devotees who live nearby, the larger ashram community consists of more than 2000 people.

Situated in a busy city of over 700,000 people, the Ashram is not a quiet place of retreat but a vibrant centre of life in a modern urban setting. The dynamic character of the community reflects the life-affirming aim of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga. Work as an offering to the Divine is an essential aspect of the Yoga, and all Ashramites do a certain amount of productive work each day in one or another of the Ashram's departments.

In the sadhana or spiritual discipline at the Ashram, there are no obligatory practices, no rituals, no compulsory meditations or systematic instructions in Yoga. You are left free to determine the course and pace of your sadhana in accordance with your own natures. But the general principle of the sadhana is the same for all: there must be a surrender to the Divine and an opening to the Divine Force so that it may work to transform one's being.

The Ashram is located in the eastern part of Pondicherry. Ashramites live and work in a large number of buildings spread throughout the area. The focus of community life is the Ashram main building, usually called simply "the Ashram", which consists of an interconnected block of houses, including those in which Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived for most of their lives. At its centre, in a tree-shaded courtyard, lies the Samadhi, a white-marble shrine where their bodies are laid to rest.

The Ashram provides its members with all they need for a decent and healthy life. Various departments have been organised to look after the basic requirements of food, clothing and shelter, as well as medical care. There are also libraries for study and facilities for a variety of cultural pursuits. The Ashram is administered by the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust.

Art Gallery at the Ashram

Called 'The Studio' this gallery exhibits paintings by the Ashram artists themselves. The gallery is open to public viewing from 9 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 4 pm everyday.

Address: Rue Law de Lauriston, Pondicherry - 605001

Phone: +91413 2331494

Library at the Ashram

Set up to be an intellectual sanctuary this quiet setting houses over 80,000 books which include periodicals, journals and other intersting books. Set in a large, French colonial building with its big halls, its quiet corners, and its own little garden in front it makes for an ideal way to spend a day at the ashram. Also you can witness Indian Classical recitals and western classical recitals here from time to time. It also hosts a good collection of music records and tapes.
Timings:7.30 am - 11.30 am, 2.00 pm - 4.45 pm

Phone: +91413 2334648

Church of Sacred Hearts Sacred Heart Church Review

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, constructed in Gothic style, is a highly revered religious destination in Pondicherry. Lot of visitors and believers are thronging to this church to offer prayers. One can be blessed by seeing the wonderful stained glass windows highlighting the life of Jesus.

Every year this church witness growing rush with thousands of devotees from different place visiting this place. This gigantic church is one of the most attractive churches in Pondicherry

Botanical gardens & Aquarium Botanical Garden Review

C.S. Perrotet established Botanical Gardens, a beautiful tourist attraction in Pondicherry in 1826. The garden encloses a good collection of exotic and rare plants and also houses an aquarium. It has a wealthy and diverse collection of plant species from many parts of India as well as from abroad.

Aquarium displays many sea living organisms including variety of fish flora. It also exhibits various methods of fishing adopted in coastal areas., though it is not much compared to the aquariums we have seen abroad.