A Weekend In Pondicherry
Everyone likes a beach , sunrise & pleasant climate which makes a perfect weekend, but to make an perfect weekend we need to planned it, but mine this trip was not an well planned but still it was an perfect Weekend
But there is little twist here , Pondicherry is the place where we can see people goes with friends , couples to spend there precious time and enjoyment. But in mine case instead of Friends and girlfriends , I went with mine Mom and Dad and you wont believe this was an unplanned Weekend !!
So lets begin !! .. wait wait before Weekend in Pondicherry lets tell you how this got been planned. So as usual it was an Friday evening when I am back from office around 6PM , so suddenly mine dad Said as lets go out !! so i thought lets go out nearby but I was too shock by hearing that he want's to go out for mini vacation for 2 days and from there only one place which came into mine mind is "Pondicherry" So what next Get set Go !!
So lets begin now
Pondicherry, or Puducherry, is famously known as the French Riviera of the East,and is one of the most mesmerizing and charming places in South India. This quaint little town has retained its old-world charm and comes very close to giving you a feel of the French culture. The French influence is very obvious in the city right from the food to the architecture
Where We Stayed?
Le Dupleix is a hidden gem in a quiet part of White Town (The French quarter of Pondicherry). Originally the residence of the last French Mayor of Pondicherry, Le Dupleix is a quaint and charming designer heritage hotel by Hidesign (a brand known for its leather goods) that seeks to strike a balance between tradition and modernity.
What We Saw?
As we’d already been to Pondicherry before, sightseeing wasn’t our focus for this trip but we did manage to see a few tourist attractions.
1. Auroville
Auroville is a peaceful and tranquil area, a few kilometers from the main town of Pondicherry. It is an experimental township with the purpose of realizing human unity. Auroville is kind of a hippie paradise and gives you the feel of Goa.
You can’t speak of Auroville without mentioning the Matrimandir (the golden dome), which means “temple of the mother”. Standing in the middle of a beautiful garden, Matrimandir witnesses a large number of tourists every year. To go inside the temple, you need to get a pass in person at least 2-4 days in advance. Also, the booking counter is only open till 3PM so make sure to go there in time to get a booking. We reached at around 3:15 PM thinking it’s open till 4PM and missed our chance to get a pass. Nonetheless, we did a 1 km hike to see the temple from outside and it was outstanding.
2. Aurobindo Ashram
The Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual community that is located in the French quarters of Pondicherry. The ashram has a beautiful display of exotic flowers and even ten minutes in this place can really help you quiet your mind and find peace.
3. The Promenade, Rock Beach and the Gandhi Statue
When I think of Pondicherry, a picture of the promenade along the Rock beach is what comes to my mind. Rock beach or Promenade beach is located in the heart of the city and is one of the top tourist attractions in Pondicherry. It is about a 1.2 km long stretch that starts from the War Memorial and ends at the Dupleix Park (after whom our hotel is named) on Goubert Avenue. Right in the middle of the promenade is the magnificent statue of Gandhiji. This four-meter high statue made of black stone is surrounded by 8 granite pillars, which were supposedly brought from a small fort near Pondicherry, Gingee. The space in front of the statue plays host to various cultural and musical activities throughout the year. The promenade is a no-vehicle zone from 5 in the evening to early morning, making it the perfect place to spend your evenings.
Where We Shopped?
1.Auroshika
Auroshika is a wellness store with an endless array of items like incense sticks, essential oils, scented candles and potpourri. What’s amazing about this store is that you get the same things that you can buy at the Aurobindo ashram but they sell at a much cheaper price here.
2. Kalki
Kalki is an exclusive retail unit of Auroville products in Pondicherry where you can find clothes, candles, oils, incense sticks, and footwear. All their products are made in eco-friendly manufacturing units but the store is a bit expensive.
3. Street Shopping
Pondy is one of the best places to go street shopping and due to the lack of time, we only covered two spots but I think that was all we needed as we managed to do quite a bit of shopping. The first spot is right outside the Manakula Vinayagar Temple, where you’ll find a ton of shops lining the street. The second spot was right outside Kalki, where I also picked up a bunch of stuff from. Be sure to put your bargaining skills to use while street shopping in Pondicherry.
Although we only spent a weekend in Pondicherry, it was an eventful trip and we managed to see, eat and shop quite a bit
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