1.WATER SPORTS
Experience the thrill of a jet ski or speed boat.Hang for dear life on the banana ride. And if you are looking to flex your muscles give kayaking a try or skip over the waters while wind surfing. But if want a laid back, no stress experience enjoy the slow pace of a river cruise or hop into a pedal boat with your kids.
a short boat ride will take you to one of the cleanest beaches in Puducherry- Paradise Beach .
Take a dip in the cool waters , go for a horse ride or take an amphibious trip on an ATV.
There are showers and changing rooms for your convenience.
example : Chunnabar Boat House
Experience the thrill of a jet ski or speed boat.Hang for dear life on the banana ride. And if you are looking to flex your muscles give kayaking a try or skip over the waters while wind surfing. But if want a laid back, no stress experience enjoy the slow pace of a river cruise or hop into a pedal boat with your kids.
a short boat ride will take you to one of the cleanest beaches in Puducherry- Paradise Beach .
Take a dip in the cool waters , go for a horse ride or take an amphibious trip on an ATV.
There are showers and changing rooms for your convenience.
example : Chunnabar Boat House
A short drive from the city, towards Cuddalore , you will find an estuary meeting the Bay of bengal. The Chunnambar Boat House offers visitors many activities. Apart from the boat rides, activities and a a trip to the beach try out any restaurant for a quick bit or a full lunch. And if you still havent's had your full of the whispering winds, the lapping waves and rustling leaves, plan to stay overnight. Select from a treetop dwellings or choose to spend the night on a river boat.
2. SPIRITUAL PLACES
It isn't without reasons that Puducherry is referred to as the land of sages. Over a hundred temples - from ornate ones to tress wrapped in sacred cloth - are scattered throughout its geography.
There are also a multitude of churches and mosques amongst the dense placement of temples.
In the midst of these religious icons you will also find an ashram or two.
The mos prominent of these godly places are hard to miss and regardless of your reason to visit Puducherry they are well worth your time.
3. FESTIVAL
International Yoga Festival - since 1992 the Government of Puducherry has conducted the International Yoga Festival from 4th to 7th January an annual demonstration and competition for yoga enthusiast from around the world.
Sri aurobindo Ashram Darshans -The birth anniversaries of " The mother" and Sri Aurobindo - 21st February and 15th August respectively - attract tens of thousands of devotees from across the world to visit the " Samadhi" . The other darshan days are 24th Apr,17th Nov , 24th Nov and 05th Dec.
Veerampattinam Car Festival
This is a 6 week long celebration e village temple since date immemorial . There is evidence that during French rule, even the Governors would take part in pulling the temple chariot.
Such was the popularity of the presiding deity ( Shri Sengazhuneer Amman)
4. MEMORIALS& MONUMENTS
AAYI MANDAPAM
King Krishnadevaraya, ruler of the Vijaryanagara Empire while travelling through Pondicherry , knelt before a beautiful building thinking it was a temple. An old man walked up to the king and asked him ," Your Majesty , why are you bowing down in front a harlot's house? "
Enraged the King demanded that the building be torn down Aayi, in a desperate plea,asked the king, permission to break down the house herself and in its place dig a well for the people. The place was thence known as Aayi Kulam.
Years later, when the French made Pondicherry their capital in India, they faced an acute water shortage. All the wells they dug had salty water. Naopolean III sent an architect to sort out the problem. He built a 5km long tunnel from Aayi Kulam to a park in a town.
When the French king heard Aayi's story , he ordered a monument to be built in her honour.
French War Memorial- The French Memorial , located on Goubert Avenue, is a testament to those brave soldiers who laid down their lives, for their country during the First World War.
The memorial, erected in 1937, is beautifully illuminated on the 14th of July ( Bastille Day) and homage is paid to the brave martyrs.
GANDHI MANDAPAM
This 4 meter square statue, one of the biggest Mahatma Gandhi statue in Asia is surrounded by 8 magnificent granite pillars which were brought from Gingee , a fort some 70 kms from Puducherry. The pillars were erected in 1866, while the statue , placed opposite the old Pier, was inaugurated on 26 January, 1965.
5. HERITAGE
Puducherry is one of the few places in India where the French had set base. Even today a large number of the original buildings can be seen in pristine condition ; easily identifiable in hues of yellow and white. Most of these have been converted to boutique hotels, restaurants or house gorgeous shopping outlets. Two of the most expansive of these colonial bungalows house the State Assembly and the Lt Governor 's residence.
The influence of French occupation also found its way into local housing. Traditional south Indian residences show evidence of this assimilation of culture. And nowhere is this more prominently on display than on Vysial Street - recognised as a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE landmark.
6.BEACHES
VEERAMPATTINAM BEACH
Surprisingly the least visited of the beaches of Pondy, it can be accessed only from Ariyankuppam - the largest coastal village in the UT - about 7 kms from the city . It's proximity to Arikamedu and the artefacts unearthed there prove that it was a popular trading hub even 500 years back.
PARADISE BEACH
Horse riding, amphibious ATV rides, wind surfing , kayaking and boating make this the favourite spot for a whole lot of people. You can also to spend a night on a house boat up in the treehouse.
PROMENDADE BEACH
This mile long walkway -reclaimed from the ocean -is the crowning glory of the city. When closed to vehicular traffic , from 5pm to 7am every day, it transformed into a social hub. Health enthusiasts , foodies, families , kids on an assortment of wheels and tourists alike converge on this stretch for a dose of clean air salted by the cooling breeze of the Bay of Bengal!
7. PARKS
Puducherry prides itself on its greenscapes. It's well planned streets in the inner city are neatly lined with all manner or colourful shrubbery, creepers and trees. Even on the outskirts of the expanded territories you will find little splashes of green in the form of ageing trees and municipal parks.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
The garden was started in 1826 by the French colonists as a laboratory to experiment on and analyze crops that could be cultivated in the region.It features a running toy train , an aquarium, a coffee shop , an amphitheatre as well as a beautiful rock garden.
BHARATHI PARK
Proof of the French settler's love of gardens,the park is located in the heart of this erastwhile colony, just a stone's throw from the Promenade Beach.
This oasis of green was built around Puducherry's most iconic monument- the Aayi Mandapam and is flanked by the Raj Nivas, the Legislative Assembly, the Cerclede Pondicherry and other buildings of historical value forming what is referred to as the " Place de Gouvernment" or the Government Square.
8. TRIVA
There is no doubt that this jewel on the east coast is a great holiday destination. Its beauty has been the inspiration for books and the backdrop for many a movies spanning Kollywood, Bollywood and even Hollywood.
LIFE OF PI is renowned for the CGI tiger, but the entire first part of Ang Lee's film was shot on location in the coastal town of Puducherry, where the blend of French colonial ad Indian cultures is unique in south India and a true one off for travellers. Some of the places the movie was shot are the French Quarters , Flower Market , Botanical Gardens and the old Pier.
9. ACTIVITIES
MUSEUM -located on Saint Louis Street , close to the Raj Nivas, The Puducherry Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm , on all days save Mondays and National Holidays. In here you will find rare bronze and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties excavated from Arikamedu, as well as relics from the Roman Empire.
SCIENCE CENTRE & PLANETARIUM
This is a great place for fun and learning for kids aged 4-12 years. The science centre has a Demonstration Corner, the children's Corner ,a hall for marine life exhibits , fun science gallery , the science park and a digital planetarium
BIRDWATCHING
If you are an avid bird watcher or love to shoot - only with a camera though -then make sure you are in Puducherry anytime between October and February. Over 160 species of birds, both aquatic and terrestrial, have been observed in the area, including the Darter, the Black headed Ibis, the spot billed Pelican, the Eurasian Spoon Bill and the Painted Stork. As if that wasn't enough over 60 species of butterflies have been spotted in the Sanctuary including endemic species such as the Common - banded Peacock and the Crimson Rose. The best places to catch a glimpse of nature's abundance are the two largest fresh water bodies in Puducherry.
Sri aurobindo Ashram Darshans -The birth anniversaries of " The mother" and Sri Aurobindo - 21st February and 15th August respectively - attract tens of thousands of devotees from across the world to visit the " Samadhi" . The other darshan days are 24th Apr,17th Nov , 24th Nov and 05th Dec.
Veerampattinam Car Festival
This is a 6 week long celebration e village temple since date immemorial . There is evidence that during French rule, even the Governors would take part in pulling the temple chariot.
Such was the popularity of the presiding deity ( Shri Sengazhuneer Amman)
4. MEMORIALS& MONUMENTS
AAYI MANDAPAM
King Krishnadevaraya, ruler of the Vijaryanagara Empire while travelling through Pondicherry , knelt before a beautiful building thinking it was a temple. An old man walked up to the king and asked him ," Your Majesty , why are you bowing down in front a harlot's house? "
Enraged the King demanded that the building be torn down Aayi, in a desperate plea,asked the king, permission to break down the house herself and in its place dig a well for the people. The place was thence known as Aayi Kulam.
Years later, when the French made Pondicherry their capital in India, they faced an acute water shortage. All the wells they dug had salty water. Naopolean III sent an architect to sort out the problem. He built a 5km long tunnel from Aayi Kulam to a park in a town.
When the French king heard Aayi's story , he ordered a monument to be built in her honour.
French War Memorial- The French Memorial , located on Goubert Avenue, is a testament to those brave soldiers who laid down their lives, for their country during the First World War.
The memorial, erected in 1937, is beautifully illuminated on the 14th of July ( Bastille Day) and homage is paid to the brave martyrs.
GANDHI MANDAPAM
This 4 meter square statue, one of the biggest Mahatma Gandhi statue in Asia is surrounded by 8 magnificent granite pillars which were brought from Gingee , a fort some 70 kms from Puducherry. The pillars were erected in 1866, while the statue , placed opposite the old Pier, was inaugurated on 26 January, 1965.
5. HERITAGE
Puducherry is one of the few places in India where the French had set base. Even today a large number of the original buildings can be seen in pristine condition ; easily identifiable in hues of yellow and white. Most of these have been converted to boutique hotels, restaurants or house gorgeous shopping outlets. Two of the most expansive of these colonial bungalows house the State Assembly and the Lt Governor 's residence.
The influence of French occupation also found its way into local housing. Traditional south Indian residences show evidence of this assimilation of culture. And nowhere is this more prominently on display than on Vysial Street - recognised as a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE landmark.
6.BEACHES
VEERAMPATTINAM BEACH
Surprisingly the least visited of the beaches of Pondy, it can be accessed only from Ariyankuppam - the largest coastal village in the UT - about 7 kms from the city . It's proximity to Arikamedu and the artefacts unearthed there prove that it was a popular trading hub even 500 years back.
PARADISE BEACH
Horse riding, amphibious ATV rides, wind surfing , kayaking and boating make this the favourite spot for a whole lot of people. You can also to spend a night on a house boat up in the treehouse.
PROMENDADE BEACH
This mile long walkway -reclaimed from the ocean -is the crowning glory of the city. When closed to vehicular traffic , from 5pm to 7am every day, it transformed into a social hub. Health enthusiasts , foodies, families , kids on an assortment of wheels and tourists alike converge on this stretch for a dose of clean air salted by the cooling breeze of the Bay of Bengal!
7. PARKS
Puducherry prides itself on its greenscapes. It's well planned streets in the inner city are neatly lined with all manner or colourful shrubbery, creepers and trees. Even on the outskirts of the expanded territories you will find little splashes of green in the form of ageing trees and municipal parks.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
The garden was started in 1826 by the French colonists as a laboratory to experiment on and analyze crops that could be cultivated in the region.It features a running toy train , an aquarium, a coffee shop , an amphitheatre as well as a beautiful rock garden.
BHARATHI PARK
Proof of the French settler's love of gardens,the park is located in the heart of this erastwhile colony, just a stone's throw from the Promenade Beach.
This oasis of green was built around Puducherry's most iconic monument- the Aayi Mandapam and is flanked by the Raj Nivas, the Legislative Assembly, the Cerclede Pondicherry and other buildings of historical value forming what is referred to as the " Place de Gouvernment" or the Government Square.
8. TRIVA
There is no doubt that this jewel on the east coast is a great holiday destination. Its beauty has been the inspiration for books and the backdrop for many a movies spanning Kollywood, Bollywood and even Hollywood.
LIFE OF PI is renowned for the CGI tiger, but the entire first part of Ang Lee's film was shot on location in the coastal town of Puducherry, where the blend of French colonial ad Indian cultures is unique in south India and a true one off for travellers. Some of the places the movie was shot are the French Quarters , Flower Market , Botanical Gardens and the old Pier.
9. ACTIVITIES
MUSEUM -located on Saint Louis Street , close to the Raj Nivas, The Puducherry Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm , on all days save Mondays and National Holidays. In here you will find rare bronze and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties excavated from Arikamedu, as well as relics from the Roman Empire.
SCIENCE CENTRE & PLANETARIUM
This is a great place for fun and learning for kids aged 4-12 years. The science centre has a Demonstration Corner, the children's Corner ,a hall for marine life exhibits , fun science gallery , the science park and a digital planetarium
BIRDWATCHING
If you are an avid bird watcher or love to shoot - only with a camera though -then make sure you are in Puducherry anytime between October and February. Over 160 species of birds, both aquatic and terrestrial, have been observed in the area, including the Darter, the Black headed Ibis, the spot billed Pelican, the Eurasian Spoon Bill and the Painted Stork. As if that wasn't enough over 60 species of butterflies have been spotted in the Sanctuary including endemic species such as the Common - banded Peacock and the Crimson Rose. The best places to catch a glimpse of nature's abundance are the two largest fresh water bodies in Puducherry.
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