A Weekend in Pondicherry

 

Beaches, aesthetic building, clean roads, delicious food; Pondicherry is just a good vibe. I had always wanted to visit the coastal areas when we moved here to Bangalore and we had to wait to the right moment to visit Pondicherry and it was so worth it.

How to get to Pondicherry

Pondicherry falls in the state of Tamil Nadu, if you are in one of the nearer cities like Bangalore or Chennai, you can easily get a bus to Pondicherry. A lot of them are available on daily basis and even AC sleepers. You can also book a train seat to Pondicherry and if you are short on time, you can always arrange for a flight from wherever you are.

Best Time to visit Pondicherry

The best time to visit here is from October to March when the weather is slightly more timid and relaxed. In summer, it gets way too hot and during Monsoon from July to September, visiting coastal areas is just not the same.

History of Pondicherry

The history of Puducherry can broadly be classified into two periods: pre-colonial and colonial. The pre-colonial period started with the reign of the Pallavas, after which came the Chola dynasty,and the Pandya dynasty. It was during this period that Portuguese and Danish merchants used it as a trading center.

The colonial period began with the Portuguese, the first Europeans to conduct trade in textiles, in 1521, and subsequently, the Dutch and the Danes in the 17th century.

The prospering trade of Puducherry attracted the French, and the predominant feature of the town was laid by the French pioneer Francois Martin in the form of a French settlement, in 1674. In 1693, Puducherry was captured by the Dutch and subsequently restored in 1699, with the Treaty of Ryswick.

The town of Pondicherry, or Puducherry as it is currently known still has a strong French influence to this day whether it is in its cuisine, the natives or the languages used.

What to See in Pondicherry

Easily, the most popular reason for visiting Pondicherry is its array of beaches and the aesthetic pretty buildings in White Town, French Colony. But these are not the only things Pondicherry is home to.

Promenade Beach

The most popular beach here, the Promenade beach is also known as the Rock Beach due to the spread of rocks on its shore. You can sit on these rocks to your heart’s content and enjoy the view. It is also the only beach in Pondicherry that is open 24 hours and very close to civilization. Swimming is prohibited here for your own safety.

White Town

The aesthetics and the vibes here are something else. The European style villas, the little cafes, the cute doors, the clean streets, they transport you to someplace else.

Mahatma Gandhi Statue

The statue serves as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi of India and is located right by the shore. Standing tall, the statue gives you a sense of warmth and protection. This area is barred for vehicles making all the better.

Old Lighthouse

The old lighthouse displays history and what the old Pondicherry was making you reminiscence of times you did not even know. You can appreciate its avid beauty from afar as one is not allowed in the old lighthouse.

New Lighthouse

The new lighthouse is taller and from here you can feel the fresh sea breeze and look far into the horizon.

The French Memorial

Standing quite near opposite to the MG statue, the French memorial stands, in its words a tribute to the history of Pondicherry and what it went through. The statue is beautifully lit in the evening in the colors of the French flag.

The Police Museum

This is a short trip down the history lane of Pondicherry giving you a glimpse of the police force and the notable officers who have made an appreciable contribution to make Pondicherry what it is today. You will see pictures, weapons, letters and uniforms here that will make you stop and think. While the museum itself is not that big, it will likely take around half hour for a tour, it is definitely worth a visit. The visit is completely free.

Serenity Beach

Much cleaner than the Promenade Beach, here too, you can find rocks to sit on and have a heart to heart with your friends or just stare into the sea bliss, but not as many as the Promenade. By the shore, you will find a number of shops/cafes offering fresh sea food such as squid, prawns, lobsters, fishes and more.

Eden Beach

This is the cleanest beach out here in Pondicherry, with the blue flag as they call it. The texture of the sand feels different here, in a good way, in a clean way. This is the beach where swimming is allowed and there are lifeguards for your safety. You can also play beach games here.

Auroville

If you have the time, you can visit Auroville which means city of dawn. It is an "experimental" township located 8 km (5.0 mi) northwest of Pondicherry. The main attraction here is the Matrimandir, which you can view from a distance on all days except Sundays with a short walk. To go inside the Matrimandir, however, you would need to obtain permissioin many days in advance.

What I Liked about Pondicherry

Pondicherry is laid back and relaxed and seems to give that perfect vacation feeling. The waves and the sand on your feet feel great. The pretty European buildings make you feel as you’ve eloped far way and the French inspired cuisines definitely make it worth your while.