Pondicherry offers a nice sojourn in the vicinity of a scenic seascape and old colonial settlements. You can have a nice vacation here as the life in Pondicherry is relaxed and uncrowded and the place offers a lot of refreshment which draws its spells from nature itself. Read on.
Pondicherry was a French colony for long and it is a wonderful town for tourists to visit the vestiges of the gone times in the form of villas and tree-lined avenues. The moment you reach here, you would be swept by the quaint yet refreshing feel of the whole town. Rarely crowded and cp. lean streets make Pondicherry a marvelous tourist spot for a relaxed time. You can do a lot in Pondicherry and even party with your friends.
Here are the top 5 tourist places to visit in Pondicherry:
1. Sri Aurobindo Ashram –
In 1926, this ashram was established to promote spiritual discoveries and a large communities now is a part of this. Those seeking spiritual healing and those who want to discover the feel of such a place, both visit Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry. The ashram has several parts, such as offices, art gallery, library, playground, printing press, guesthouse, dairy, and so much more. It is a must visit place for all tourists.
2. Auroville –
Auroville means the City of Dawn. It is about 10 km from Pondicherry and was designed by a French architect named Roger Anger. Auroville was built with the intention of universal harmony and the existence of such a place in today’s world means a lot. It is the place where people of all religions and creeds can sit together in peace. Such a practice reflects on the society and inspires people to rise over the taboos of discrimination based on caste, color or nationality. More than 2,000 people from across 44 countries now reside at Auroville.
3. Immaculate Conception Cathedral –
This is a cathedral of the archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore. It is 300 years old. A large feast is held here on the 8th of December every year. Immaculate Conception Cathedral is also known as Samba Kovil.
4. Promenade Beach –
With black rocks pitted against the coastline, awash with sea waves, Promenade beach is one of the most scenic places in Pondicherry. A walk along the palm-lined avenue just along the beach is a thrill and refreshment at the same time. You can sit back and indulge in some distant gazing as the seascape here offers a tranquil and scenic sight.
5. Ousteri Wetland and National Park –
Spawning an area of 4 sq. km, Ousteri Wetland and National Park is a place for discovering a rich diversity of flora and fauna. You can get the houseboats here and stay here for a while. It is a significant ecological region and you can spot a wide diversity of migratory birds at this place. It is definitely worth a visit during your stay in Pondicherry.
You can reach Pondicherry from any major Indian city. You can take a flight as well. Indigo Airlines have frequent flights to Pondicherry at a reasonable price.