The largest French colony in India, Puducherry, affectionately known as Pondy, offers a unique experience with its mix of
modern heritage and spiritual culture. Its history goes back to the time when the British had secured their grip on India around 1850. They allowed the retreating French to remain in four small pockets of South Indian territory. Pondicherry [former name] was pocket central. It gained independence in 1963. But the French left their mark and there is a strong French influence in the city, especially in the old quarters. The whole of the town cab be seen on bicycles, or strolling along the tree-lined boulevards.
The Riviera of the East- Puducherry [photo credit: TheVinamra via photopin cc]There are dozens of beautifully preserved houses and streets. It appears as if an elegant French country town had been transported to the Bay of Bengal and has ever since thrived. It remains a wonderful and unique place to visit.
You can cover all of Puducherry on a day-trip if you have a private vehicle, or if you are travelling by a rented cab.
How to get there:
From Chennai: 160 kms from Puducherry, you can rent a cab from Chennai and reach the city in about 3 hours. The roads are in proper condition and are quite scenic as well. This route passes through Mahabalipuram, Pudupattinam, Idaikkazhinadu, Marakkanam, Kalapet before reaching Puducherry. You can choose to make a halt at any of these and explore around before heading for Pondy.
From Bangalore: 320 kms. A cab rental from Bangalore will take you around 6 hours to reach Puducherry. Drive along NH-7 till Krishnagiri and the NH-66 till Pondy.
Places to stay:
Hotel De L’orient: A grand restored colonial mansion of the 18th century, the marvelous architecture of this mansion and its Creole cuisine makes for a perfect ambience. It is always very heavily booked. Room prices start from Rs. 1400 a night.
Villa Helena: This place will give you the feel of the vintage times. Old Chinese movie posters, high-ceilings, you will find yourself back in the luxuries of an aristocratic past.
Puducherry hotels [photo credit: mckaysavage via photopin cc]
Hotel Du Parc: Tucked uniquely amidst the hustle and bustle of Puducherry, Du Parc is an erstwhile elegant French Colonial home converted into a small boutique hotel with just nine rooms. Prices start at Rs. 1800 a night.
Hotel Atithi: Located in the heart of Puducherry, Hotel Atithi has a beautiful roof top swimming pool that offers a mesmerizing panoramic view. Hotel Atithi offers 60 well appointed rooms including Standard, superior, and suites. Rooms are available for about Rs.2800 a night.
Puducherry hotels [photo credit: Ignacio Gallego via photopin cc]
The Promenade: The shimmering waters of the Bay of Bengal can be seen from the rooms which cost somewhat around 3000 bucks a night. This luxurious 5 Star property which has been so elegantly designed, has 26 Deluxe, 8 Sea Facing and 1 Suite.
Le Dupleix Pondicherry Hotel: This is a Heritage hotel, originally built to serve as the residence to French Mayor of Puducherry. Affording 14 luxurious rooms, which start Rs 2800 a night, the hotel offers all possible amenities and a perfect service.
Places to visit:
Sri Aurobindo Ashram: The Ashram is a centre for the practice of integral yoga, meditation, and of inner development, founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo Ghose, an Indian freedom fighter, poet, philosopher, and yogi. The Ashram consists of a row of interconnected houses, including the buildings where Sri Aurobindo and The Mother lived and meditated. Mirra Alfassa, The Mother was one of Auribindos followers, who was born in Paris and was so inspired by his philosophy that she stayed on in Puducherry and founded his asharam.
Auroville: Auroville, founded in 1968 by Mirra Richard (also known as The Mother), was envisioned as a Universal Town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs, could live in peace and harmony. Auroville has a huge golden globe called Matrimandir, in which there is a meditation chamber. There are many sites within the town of Auroville that are a must visit.
Matrimandir, Auroville [photo credit: Happy Sleepy via photopin cc]
Arikamedu: Arikamedu, an archeological excavation site, has a long history dating back to 2nd century B.C. 7 km from Puducherry, was used as a port for trade with the Romans and Greco-Romans. To know more about Arikamedu, you could visit the Pondicherry Museum where pottery, beads, bangles, studs etc are preserved.
Arikamedu, Puducherry [photo credit: gordontour via photopin cc]
Bharathi Park: The Government Park or Bharati Park lies in the green centre of the Puducherry. Surrounded by the picturesque governor building, Roman Rolland library, and the government hospital, this park at its center houses the Aayi Mandapam, a monument constructed by a French emperor in memory of a lady courtesan, Aayi.
Bharathi Park, Puducherry [photo credit: April Rinne via photopin cc]
Temples and Churches: Puducherry has about 15 temples of which Mankula Vinayaka, Sri Vedapuriswar, and Kamatchiamman are the most famous. Being a former French colony and with so much French influence still ruling Puducherry, the churches here are splendid, some which even have rare stain glass panels depicting saints and events form the life of Christ.The churches of Puducherry [photo credit: balaji shankar via photopin cc]Famous ones include: The Sacred-Heart Church, The Immaculate Conception Cathedral and the Our Lady of Angels Church. Must visit.
Botanical Garden: Established in 1826, Botanical Garden, then called “The Colonial Park”, attracted a lot of attention after the acclaimed film ‘Life of Pie’ was shot here. There are a wide variety of trees, birds, and even some monkeys. There is an aquarium here as well.
Ousteri Lake: Once a major supplier of drinking water, the Ousteri Lake also known as Osudu is located 10 kms from Puducherry. Now open for the people for boat rides and to watch the many migratory birds that visit the lake around December, it is a must visit place if you are looking for some leisure.
Ousteri Lake, Puducherry [photo credit: Bram P via photopin cc]
Puducherry beaches: There are a bunch of beaches across this town and if you want to spend some peaceful time you can go to our beaches and get yourself tanned. Some of the famous ones are: uro beach, Sangamam beach, Plage Paradiso and the Promenade Beach. Promenade is located right in the heart of the city, is 1.5 km long and is the pride of Pondicherry.The Promenade Beach, Puducherry [photo credit: Jason Prini via photopin cc]There is a small children’s park at one end of the stretch, Mahatma Gandhi statue somewhere in the middle, a war memorial, and one of the French churches dotting the beach line.
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