India /Pondicherry /Pondicherry /Pondicherry

Pondicherry has been derived from the Tamil word Puducheri signifying ‘the new settlement’. It was a French settlement that comprised Pondy, Yanam, Karaikal, and Mahe. Amazing is the fact that different districts of Pondicherry fall under different states. The capital Pondicherry (Puducherry) is situated at a distance of around 200 km from Chennai. While Karaikal is also a part of Tamil Nadu, Mahe is located in Kerala, and Yanam is in Andhra Pradesh. There is a strong influence of French culture on Pondicherry town, especially on it’s architecture, a result of the centuries-old relations this place maintained with France. Today, Pondicherry is more famous because of its relation with Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo selected this peaceful and harmonious place to make his abode in the second decade of 20th century and remained there until his death. Though very small, Pondicherry was the largest French colony in India. The city has a long and interesting history of trade and war. All four districts of Puducherry are located in the coastal region. So some rivers drain into sea in Puducherry and none of them originates within the territory. Five rivers in Pondicherry district, seven in Karaikal, two in Mahé and one in Yanam drain into the sea.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Beaches

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 605001

STD Code: 413

Info Website: pon.nic.in

Best Time to Visit:  Oct – Mar

HistoryEdit

Puducherry is a city, an urban agglomeration and a municipality in Pondicherry district in the Indian union territory of Puducherry. Located on the east coast of tamil nadu, 160km south of Chennai, pondicherry is the administrative headquarters of a Union Territory that includes three other small formerly French colonies, Mahe (in Kerala), Karaikal (in Tamil Nadu) and Yanam (in Andhra Pradesh). Pondicherry retains a distinct Gallic Flavour ans is often refered to as a window to French culture in India. The strictly geometrical pattern of the streets, the use of French by many of its citizens, the presence of the French Institute, all contribute to the charming French-Mediterranean character of the town. The Beach Road, a long strech of road with the Bay of Bengal on one side and restaurants, hotels, and the Aurbindo ashram to the other, is the best part of the city. The city has a laid-back attitude, and nobody seems to be in a hurry – a welcome break for the fast life of big cities. Pristine beaches, reminiscent of French colonial rule and the culture, Pondicherry owes the legacy of a prime tourist spot in Indian Union.

Places to VisitAdd

Pondicherry Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : The nearest airport to Pondicherry is Chennai International airport, which is around 135 km away. Chennai is well connected to all airports in India and many cities abroad. Chennai connects through flights to many major cities in US, Middele East, Europe and Asia.

By Train : Pondicherry has its own railway station and is very well connected to the major parts of the country. Super fast trains are available from Delhi (Puducherry- New Delhi Ex), Kolkata (Puducherry-Howrah Ex), Mumbai (Puducherry Dadar Ex), Bangalore (Garib Rath Ex) and CHennai (Puducherry- New Delhi Ex) and many other parts of the country.

By BUS : Frequent bus services are available from Pondicherry to places like Thanjaur (Rs 500), Trichy (Rs 380) and Coimbatore (Rs 600). Private tourist buses ply from Chennai (Rs 400), Bangalore (Rs 500) Madurai and Bangalore to Pondicherry. Local bus charge is about Rs 3 to Rs 4 per km.

By Taxi : Pondicherry Car Rental services on taxiGUIDE.in – cabs can also be booked to Pondy from Bangalore & Chennai. Fares starting Rs.789 for within city and Rs.9/km for outstation.

By Other : Share auto rickshaws will also be available for fares of around Rs 5 to 10. Pondicherry is a safe city, so any mode of travel can be opted for during night time.

Top HotelsAdd

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Raj Residency ; 26,Cheran street , Mullai Nagar [Opp to new bus stand, Puducherry, PY 605005 ; Ph – 0413 220 2201 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Conference facilities, Elevators, Laundry.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Hotel Ram International ; 398, Anna Salai, Puducherry, Pondicherry 605001 ; Ph – 0413 233 7230 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Conference facilities, Elevators, Laundry.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• The Promenade ; 23 Goubert Avenue, White Town, Puducherry, Puducherry UT 605001; Ph – 0413 222 7750 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Conference facilities, Elevators, Laundry, Parking, 24-Hour Security.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• LE CLUB ;  38 Dumas Street, White Town, Pondicherry, Puducherry U.T, 605001; M –  0413 233 9745 ; Food Serve :  Continental

• The Sunway GRT Grand – Pondicherry ;  No:155D, 100 Feet Road, Bharathidasan Nagar, Mudaliarpet, Puducherry, Pondicherry UT 605004 , ; M –  0413 228 1608 ; Food Serve :  Multi-uisine

• Hotel Surguru ; 104, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Pondicherry, 605001 ; M –  0413 233 9022 ; Food Serve :  N.A

Must Eat FoodAdd

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

Must ShopAdd

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

• Asta Lounge Bar ; 155/D,100 Feet Road, | The Sunway GRT Grand Pondicherry, Pondicherry. ; Ph/M: N.A ; Cost:  N.A ; Food Serve : N.A

SpaAdd

• Ananda Inn ;  Anandha Inn is 135 kms. from Anna International Airport and 2 kms. from Pondicherry Railway Station – 605001 ; Ph/M – N.A ; Cost:  N.A ; Services –  Health Spa Beauty Parlour Ayurvedic Massage.
• The Windflower Resorts & Spa Pondicherry ;  Manavely Revenue Village Maraimalai Adigal Street, Chinnaveeram Pattinam, Ariyankuppam Post Pondicherry – Cuddalore Ecr Road, Pondicherry, ; Ph/M – 0091 80 40842222 ; Cost:  N.A ; Services –  Health Spa Beauty Parlour Ayurvedic Massage.

FestivalAdd

PONGAL ; Venue:  Pondicherry ; Period :  January ; Details:  The harvest festival of rural Pondicherry changes the atmosphere of this rich cosmopolitan. The houses are spring cleaned and adorned with colorful patterns of “Kolam”. Old clothes and mats are ritually burnt on the bhogi day. Pongal made with new rice and jaggery sugar and raisins is cooked in new mud pots. On the third consecutive day, herds of cattle are washed and decorated. People dress up, visit their friends and relative houses to wish each other. During Pongal time, the park and beach has a colorful look flooded with people.

MASI MAGAM FESTIVAL ; Venue:  Kurichikuppam, Pondicherry ; Period :  February-March ; Details:  Masi Magam festival is celebrated in Kurichikuppam situated in north and comprises basically of fishermen community. This annual festival takes place on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Masi (February-March). Deities from as many as 38 temples are brought in a procession to Pondicherry and taken around town with accompaniment of Nadaswaram (horns). It concludes with images of Chakra (the disc – the symbol of Vishnu) and the trisul (the trident – the symbol of Siva) for ablutions in the sea.

MAANGANI FESTIVAL ; Venue:  Karaikal, Pondicherry ; Period :  July ; Details:  Maangani Festival is celebrated in the month of July. Karaikal breaks into a month-long festivity which accompanies feast dedicated to Karaikal Ammaiyar(Goddess). During this festival the ground-breaking events from her life are reenacted for four days.The image of Lord Siva, is taken out through the streets, in a decorated palanquin at which the townsfolk throw mangoes from rooftops, much to the delight of the crowd gathered below. To commemorate this incident, curd rice with mango is distributed on this festival day, in a big hall adjacent to the temple.

Safety / WarningEdit

• Double-check all hotel and restaurant bills for errors.
• Don’t leave cash and valuables in your hotel room. Use room safes where available.
• Keep daily cash in separate pockets.

HelplineEdit

• Police Control Room Puducherry : (413)-2337243
• Fire : (413)-2336677

ItineraryEdit

Day 1 :
10:00 am – Sri Aurobindo Ashram ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 pm – Puducherry Museum ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
1:00 pm – La Coromandale ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
2:00 pm – Geethanjali ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
4:00 pm – Space Coffee & Arts ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
Day 2 :
10:00 am – Beach Road ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs
2:00 pm – Paradise Beach ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
4:00 pm – Casablanca ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
5:00 pm – Sacred Heart Church ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
Day 3 :
10:00 am – Auroville Beach;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
1:00 pm – Chunnambar Backwater ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
4:00 pm – Manakula Vinayagar Koil;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
6:00 pm – Space Coffee & Arts ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs

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