Places to visit in Puducherry

I read alot about Puducherry French colonials and all, always wanted to visit this place.  I planned a small trip with my family packed my bags and reached. Located along the Coromandel Coast of Bay Of Bengal.  Pondicherry or Puducherry is a city and capital of the Union Territory of Pondicherry and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India.  It was French capital of India until 1954, its French legacy is still preserved in its French colonial settlement quarters with tree lined streets, mustard-colored villas and boutiques.

Like all other South India tourist spots you will get bikes on rental and explore all your own.  I tried to book online but my good luck was the payment option was not working so I googled for local rentals and I was surprised to see that its one of the major business in Puducherry.  Where ever you land in Puducherry just hire an autorickshaw and ask him to drop you at Chetty Street, Mission Street.  You will get many shops and garages who provide this service.  Cost depends on the type of vehicle you select.  I rented a scooter and for 3 days it was my companion.  It charged me Rs. 200 per day.

You will easily get on google but still I am sharing the number from where I took on rent.
V. Ambal - 9500889275, 9159978080, 7639818080, Mission Street, Chetty Koil Complex

Most of the places of interest are near Pondicherry beach.

Basilica Of Sacred Heart Of Jesus
2.5 Km from Pondicherry bus station and 100m from Pondicherry Railway station.

Pondicherry Beach / Promenade Beach

3.5 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, also known as Rock beach (coz rock along the beach), Promenade beach (coz Hotel Promenade is there adjacent to the beach).  It is 1.5km long stretch between War Memorial and Dupleix Park.

Most of the places of interest are all around this beach area and Goubert Avenue which is adjacent to this beach road.

French War Memorial
3.5 Km from Pondicherry bus station, on Goubert Avenue or you can say Pondicherry beach road.

Mahatma Gandhi Statue
At a distance of 3.5 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, The Statue of Mahatma Gandhi is located on the beach front of Pondicherry.  Most of the cultural activities throughout the year are hosted here at this square.

Statue Of Dupleix
At a distance of 3 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, The statue of Joseph Francois Dupleix is situated in children's park on the beach road.

Bharathi Park / Government Park
At a distance of 3.5 km from Pondicherry Bus Station. Its right opposite to the Gandhi statue in beach front. The Aayi Mandapam or the Park Monument is a famous monument which lies at the center of the park. In past, Aayi Mandap was the main water source for Pondicherry town.

Raj Niwas
At a distance of 3.5 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, Raj Niwas is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.  Its adjacent to Bharati Park.

Old Light House
At a distance of 3 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, The Old Light House is one of Pondicherry's most famous landmarks and is situated on Goubert Avenue.  Right in front of Pondicherry beach.

Church Of Our Lady Of Angels
At a distance of 3 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, The Church of Our Lady of Angels, also known as Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges Church is one of the popular churches in Pondicherry.  Situated on Goubert Avenue.  Right in front of Pondicherry beach.

Romain Rolland Library

At a distance of 3.2 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, Romain Rolland Library, formerly known as Bibliotheque Publique, is one of the oldest Libraries in the country and the biggest in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. Established in the year 1827, this library has been named after the French scholar - Romain Rolland.  Adjacent to Bharati Park.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

At a distance of 3 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a famous spiritual community (ashram) located in Pondicherry. Founded by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa (The Mother) in 1926. The ashram is also the place of Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. 

This ashram comprises several buildings and there are around 1,200 members along with 400 students living in this center. The ashram contains a library, printing press, playground, art gallery, a dispensary/nursing home, dairy, farms and guest houses. Children below 3 years are not allowed. Prior permission required for Photography.

Manakula Vinayagar Temple

At a distance of 3 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, The Manakula Vinayagar Temple is one of the famous ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is a popular pilgrimage site in Puducherry.

Manakula Vinayagar Temple was in existence before the French came and settled in Pondicherry and the idol of Lord Ganesha is locally known as Vellakkaran Pillai. The French Jesuits and missionaries tried to demolish the temple several times, but every time local population saved the temple.

Pondicherry Museum

At a distance of 3 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, Pondicherry Museum is situated adjacent to Bharathi Park and is known for its unique collection of sculptures. Furnitures and other household appliances used then are also displayed here.

Ousteri Lake / Osudu Lake

At a distance of 10 km Pondicherry Bus Station, Ousteri Lake, also known as Osudu Lake, is situated at Osudu Village on Pondicherry-Villuppuram Road. Spread across 390 hectares, the lake is situated between Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu.  Boating facility is available here.

Church Near Osudu Lake

On the way to Osudu Lake you will find this beautiful church.  Its just 500m from the lake.

Serenity Beach

At a distance of 8 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, Serenity Beach is close to East Coast Road (ECR). It is a clean, calm and less crowded beach with very few restaurants on the beach front. This beach offers several adventure activities like surfing, boating, canoeing and kayaking. 

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

At a distance of 2.5 km from Pondicherry Bus Station. Founded in 1686, the Immaculate Conception Church, also known as Eglise de Notre Dame de la Conception Immaculee, is located on the Church Street in Pondicherry. 

Botanical Garden

At a distance of 1.5 km from Pondicherry Bus Station and around 1Km from Railway station.  You can proceed on the same road on which Basilica Church is there you will reach Botanical garden. The Botanical Garden is located south of the New Bus Stand and is one of the top Pondicherry Tourist Places. It was established in 1826. There is also a well maintained Aquarium in this garden.

Chunnambar Boat House

At a distance of 6 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, Chunnambar Boat House also known as Plage Paradiso is famous for its backwaters and it's a popular boating venue and is. Located on the Cuddalore main road, the backwater is situated at a point where the Chunnambar River meets Bay of Bengal. 

Matrimandir - Auroville

And last but not the least most famous place to visit in Pondicherry Matrimandir.  Thousands of people visit everyday here. At a distance of 13 km from Pondicherry. It lies on the East Coast Road and was founded by Mirra Alfassa in 1968.  The structure was designed by the French architect Roger Anger. The purpose of Auroville is to build a world where people can live peacefully, irrespective of nationality, colour, caste and creed.

Soil from over 124 countries was placed and mixed inside a lotus shaped urn, symbolizing universal oneness. Auroville was built to welcome people from all over the world to live together and explore scientific, educational, cultural and spiritual pursuits as per the Auroville charter.

The town houses the Matrimandir (Temple of the Divine Mother) at the center. It is a one hundred foot high spherical structure with the lotus bud shaped foundation. Its outer walls are decorated by gold-encased discs. The structure has an exquisite meditation chamber of white marble floor and walls. Daylight entering from the roof is directed to a huge crystal globe which illuminates mysteriously providing a focus for meditation. It has around twelve gardens, lakes and an amphitheater. The 12 gardens around the Matrimandir were named by the Mother: Existence, Consciousness, Bliss, Light, Life, Power, Wealth, Utility, Progress, Youth, Harmony, Perfection. Each are symbolised by a flower.

The Visitors Center provides a pass to the Matrimandir. There is also an art gallery at Visitors Center along with a video theatre (Timings: 10.30 AM, 11.30 AM, 2.30 PM, 3 PM & 3.30 PM). There is also a cafeteria and some boutiques selling products manufactured in Auroville.  Its difficult to get permission for entering into the Matrimandir and meditate.  You need to take prior permission.  You have to come here in person before 4 days and get the passes and permission for visiting inside the Matrimandir.  

Timing for issue of passes: Weekdays: 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 1.45 PM to 4 PM. Sundays: 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM.

Ebroidery Private House

Few Random Clicks