Google Pondicherry and you will find some serene images speaking volumes about this city's calmness. One and a half month back, we were discussing on which place we could visit and spend some time away from the city. Although, looking at the pictures, we knew we were heading to a city but there was something different about this place. The city's unique architecture of French, Tamil and its fusion already had us decided where we were headed to!
Its 3 hours away from Chennai Airport and the roads are easy to travel. Hailed a prepaid cab towards Pondicherry and had reserved a stay in Le Chateau.
This small place has a lot to offer and the best to do is through a walk or cycle tour through the city's streets. The place is well planned and easy to maneuver around. The city's architecture and the Government's efforts to keep them clean makes this city an amazing place to be in. Low levels of pollution, a rich heritage, cheap booze, good people, spirituality, libraries and French Quarters are some of its features.
If I could, I would settle down there! ;)
And Today's Papers notified that Pondicherry had been added to the Top Clean Cities in India!
You can find simplicity in its elegance and I can still reminisce the pleasant air around! Tip - While coming from Chennai, booking a prepaid taxi is a good idea as bargaining is difficult. Also, you should only pay the cab driver the amount quoted by the counter and nothing more than that.
A wonderful place where you can spend time with silence. You need to be barefooted to enter the place. With so many people around, you would think of a bazaar but there is serenity as well. Also, you'd be accompanied with a lot of different flowers!
This place is amazing and one of the good places I have had a stay. The staff is really good and helpful. We had booked for 2 days and were thinking of moving out to another place but this place is really addictive. Hence, we extended our stay for all days and also got a good deal. ;) The Superior Room is accompanied with a French Styled Balcony which gets better in the evenings! Although, the food can be a bit better!
Tip - Since Pondicherry is far away, renting a bike for a day will be a good idea. The usual amount is INR 300 and you can find those shops near Mission Street. The Auroville website states - "Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity." This place is situated near Pondicherry. If you are or not in spirituality, you should visit this place as it offers many other things and you would be amazed with the work behind the intense planning of this small city. Still in the making with more gardens to be built around the Matrimandir and the city is being further expanded with the help of the Government and volunteers from different countries. We had a mini meal along with Hibiscus Syrup (with Soda) and this meal was the best ever we found around Pondicherry. Also, you can find a lot of shops around for books, clothes, accessories, scents and perfumes. All of these are hand made within Auroville. The evenings have different cultural events. Something different you could try.
This Beach Road is meant for amazing walks especially past 5! People of all ages visit this place and is one of the most common places visited around. The place is really clean and the people out there take immense care to do that. NO SMOKING. Animals allowed in certain timings. No littering around and No Drinking. You have Le Cafe and a few other joints. On the stretch, there is the Dupleix Statue, Gandhi Statue, Ambedkar Mani Mandapam, French War Memorial, a few Government Offices and some beach side Hotels.
