The weather in Pondicherry is usually very hot and humid and the best time to visit is during the pre winter and winter seasons, from October to February. So pack your bags and get ready to make the most of this winter season.
The largest French colony in India, Pondicherry (popularly known as Pondi) is also a city and capital of the Pondicherry union territory of Southern India. It has a long and interesting history of trade and war.
Although the city remains largely Indian, you can sense a strong French influence in the city, especially in the old quarters, with rues and boulevards lined with Mediterranean style houses and bakeries.
The French language is still understood and the city makes for an interesting mix between the east and the west. The weather in Pondicherry is usually very hot and humid and the best time to visit is during the pre winter and winter seasons, from October to February. So pack your bags and get ready to make the most of this winter season.
How to get there
Pondicherry only has a small domestic airport where regular flights come in from Bangalore. The closest international airport is the Chennai International Airport. The place is easily accessible by buses and trains and you can rent cars to drive on your own if you so choose to do so. Reliance Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd in Thamel can help you sort out any of your travel related queries regarding Pondicherry. The route they have devised to reach Pondicherry from Kathmandu is by taking the bus or the flight to Sunauli, from where you can reach Gorakhpur by car or jeep. When you reach Gorakhpur, you take the train to Delhi where you change your train to reach Pondicherry. The entire journey will take you three days to complete. Train tickets can also be purchased from Orient Paradise Tours and Travels in Dillibazar.
Lack of immigration facilities depriving Ilam of tourists
Places to visit
The Aurobindo Ashram
The ashram was founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926 when he decided to withdraw from public view and continue with his spiritual growth. The place is now visited by thousands of spiritual seekers from all over the world. If inner peace is what you seek, this is where you should be headed. While there, make sure you visit their library and their shops that sell perfumes and ayurvedic medicines.
Auroville
One of the biggest attractions in Pondicherry, Auroville is an experimental township founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa who is also known as “the mother”. A must visit attraction of Pondicherry, people of different nationalities, cultures, and beliefs live here together in harmony. In the middle of the town of Auroville is the Matrimandir which was conceived by Alfassa that has “a symbol of the Divine’s answer to man’s aspiration for perfection.” The entire area of the Matrimandir is called the peace area and silence is maintained inside it to ensure the tranquility of the space. It is open from 8 am to 6 pm every day.
The beaches
One of the best things about Pondicherry is the beaches. There are four main beaches: Promenade beach, Paradise beach, Auroville beach, and the Serenity beach. They are never too crowded and, compared to other beaches in India, these beaches clean and well kept. And there is nothing quite as refreshing as sitting by a beautiful beach and walking along the sand with the water lapping at your bare feet.
One of the most enthralling things you can do while in Pondi is scuba diving. It has the only diving spot in the eastern coast of India. You will be able to swim with the lionfish, manta rays, sea snakes, grouper and many other marine lives in the coral reefs. Just head on over to Temple Adventures in the Archbishop Gandhi Street and don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity.
Chunnambar boat house
Why should you just be sitting on the beach when you could be out at sea. At the Chunnambar boat house, you can hire speed boats or regular boats and take a round around Paradise beach. It is located at Cuddalore main road and takes a very minimum entrance fee. You can take the boat that takes you through the backwaters to the beach where you can enjoy the sun and the waves and then hop on to the return boat. This is a very famous place for people who are traveling with kids.
The churches
There are 32 churches in Pondicherry which include the Church of Our Lady of Angels, Sacred Heart Church, Dupleix Church, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Immaculate Conception Cathedral to name a few of the biggest and oldest ones. Their true beauty lies in their French architecture and the solace they hold within. Irrespective of your religion, just a few minutes of silence and reflection within these churches can put your mind at peace. Take some time out of your trip to admire not just the solace that these buildings give but their intricate infrastructure as well.
Arikamedu
If history and architecture fascinates you, one of the places you have to visit while in Pondicherry is the Arikamedu which is only four kilometers away from the city. Several artifacts from Ancient Rome, including sculptures, glassware, lamps and gems, have been discovered here, supporting the belief that it used to be a port for trading between Rome and Tamil Nadu. Arikamedu has been inhabited for the last 2000 years, but now only some perpendicular walls from that era exist as the rest has been destroyed over the centuries.
Ousteri Lake
One of Pondicherry’s many picturesque attraction, Ousteri Lake is worth a visit. Approximately 10 kilometers away from the city, it is recognized as one of Asia’s most important wetlands. It is a paradise for birdwatchers since there are more than 40 migratory birds here during season. Some of the birds that you will be able to spot from here, while slowly cruising around on a boat if you so wish, are Golden Oriole, Painted Stork, White Ibis, Openbill Stork, Tailor Bird, and Spotted Owlets.
