We got to Pondicherry by flying to Chennai, and then taking a three hour taxi ride. You can either take the 4-lane highway NH-45, which is faster, or the East Coast road (ECR), which is a more scenic drive. The taxi ride should cost approximately Rs.3000.
Pondicherry was the largest French colony in India. Colonized by the Dutch, the English and the French, the latter left the biggest impact here, by far. There is a strong French influence in the old quarters, with its architecture and tree-lined boulevards. The whole city is a pleasant mix of east and west.
First we stayed at Club Mahindra Puducherry. It’s a little outside the city, but is a very pretty property with a nice beach. There are lots of activities for kids. Our room was very spacious with a balcony that looked out over the sea.
Of course the first thing you have to do is walk down the Promenade. The sea is actually quite blue. It’s great for an evening stroll. The road is also traffic-free and pedestrian-friendly between 6pm and 7.30am every day. We stopped for tea and snacks at Le cafe, which is a beachfront cafe. The food is not that great, but its all about the location.
A canal broadly divides the city into two parts—the French and Tamil Quarters. We went to the French quarter, best explored on foot. It is planned according to the French grid structure and has perpendicular streets. Charming colourful houses had bougainvillea spilling over the walls. We came across a bakery called ‘Baker Street’, which we had to go into, as we were big fans of BBC’s Sherlock series!
There are many french restaurants around the promenade area. We had dinner at Le Club, a cosy restaurant with a thatched roof, outdoor seating with cane chairs. Amazing French food, you must try the steak in blue cheese sauce!
Pondicherry has a laid-back vibe. It’s a good place to chill out and sightsee at leisure. The next day we headed to Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville. Sri Aurobindo Ashram is among the most visited places in Tamil Nadu. The ashram was founded by Mirra Alfassa (also known as ‘The Mother’) and the philosopher Sri Aurobindo, a yogi, guru and poet.
Auroville aims to be a universal, self-contained township where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity. It is concerned with sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.
At the centre of the township lies the Peace area, comprising the Matrimandir and its gardens. Matrimandir can be seen from the viewing point, a 20 minute walk through the gardens.The name ‘Matrimandir’ means literally ‘Temple of the Mother’. It is a huge golden sphere which seems to be emerging out of the earth, symbolising the birth of a new consciousness. You need to make a prior booking to go inside.
We shifted hotels to Ocean Spray beach resort. This is a sprawling layout with swimming pools, bridges across fishponds, wooden walkways across water bodies where you can go boating, shady gardens, restaurants and play areas.
We got a room with an outdoor jacuzzi tub on the balcony! In the gardens you can laze on hammocks tied to trees, while kids run around and explore. The only drawback was service in the restaurants was slow.
With so much to do, we almost didn’t want to leave the hotel, but we decided to make a trip to Paradise beach. It is a long sandbar with the ocean on the outer side and backwaters on the inner side. It can be reached by boat.
We took a local boat from Chunnambar boat house, return tickets cost Rs.200 per person. Its a clean, peaceful beach with a small restaurant where you can grab a bite.
This is a rock I found on Paradise beach. I guess it sums up how I feel about Pondicherry!
Gypsea Trip 