Best Places Visit in Pondicherry

Best places to visit in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is bliss for tourists who come here from all over the world to see its vintage French architecture and seek divine energy. Pondicherry was a French colony during the 17th century. Here in Pondicherry, you will see a remarkable blend of French architecture and Indian culture. The colonial past of Pondicherry is seen in its churches, cathedrals, and basilicas. Auroville and Aurobindo Ashram draw spiritual seekers from the world. The beaches and gardens are some of the best places to visit in Pondicherry. You can visit unique museums and walk through age-old ruins. Pondicherry is also endowed with the natural beauty of mangrove forests and backwaters, which are a haven for birds and fishing villages. Tourist places in Pondicherry are scattered throughout Pondicherry and you can read about some of the top places below.

Auroville

Auroville is regarded as a ‘Universal Town’ in Pondicherry where people from all cultures can get together and mix. Auroville was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, popularly known as The Mother. The 2800 residents of this township have come from over 195 countries. These people have brought the soil of their native lands and deposited it in a marble urn. Auroville is definitely on top of the best places to visit in Pondicherry.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Aurobindo Ashram is a major tourist attraction that has made Pondicherry famous and it is also one of the best places to visit in Pondicherry. Sri Aurobindo Ashram is an ashram where you can do meditation and yoga. Sri Aurobindo, the famous saint and freedom fighter of India laid the basis of the Aurobindo Ashram in 1926. In this tranquil place, there is every facility that will help you to seek peace and spirituality. There are libraries, sports playgrounds, farms, workshops, dining halls, medical facilities, etc.

Paradise Beach

You must visit Paradise Beach if you like to tour the best places in Pondicherry. Among the best beaches in Pondicherry, Paradise Beach is a playground for fun activities. The beach is made of soft sands and the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal create a tranquil environment. You can explore the mangrove forests and backwaters around the beach by taking a ferry ride. You can go for beach walks, play beach sports, photograph birds, and relax on the beach.

Pondicherry Botanical Garden

Pondicherry Botanical Garden is one of the best places for sightseeing in Pondicherry. Plants that are grown here are brought from different parts of the world. The French architecture in this garden is breathtakingly beautiful. There are musical fountains, aquariums, and birds in this magnificent garden. Children can enjoy mini train rides and wonder at the exotic flowers and fishes here.

French War Memorial

French War Memorial is one of the historical places in Pondicherry. The memorial honors the soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I. French War Memorial has a monument of architectural finesse. It is illuminated on 14th July every year, and people pay their respects to the soldiers.

Chunnambar Boat House

One of the most exciting things to do in Pondicherry is boating. Chunnambar Boat House offers ferry rides through the backwaters of Pondicherry. You can explore the lush green mangrove forests, and spot birds and other creatures. The Boat House is also called Plage Paradiso. You can also explore the backwaters by camping, hiking, or arranging a picnic.

Pondicherry Museum

You can learn a bit of history during your visit to Pondicherry Museum. This is one of the best museums in Pondicherry. You can go through rare collections of artifacts and relics dating back to ancient and medieval times. Among the amazing things to watch are ruins of Roman settlements, sculptures, terracotta figures, swords, and vintage Tanjore paintings from various historical eras of Indian history.

Serenity Beach

Pondicherry has some of the best beaches on the Bay of Bengal and Serenity Beach is one of the most beautiful of them. This white sandy beach is lined with coconut palms. The blue ocean waters are perfect for surfing and swimming. You can take long beach walks and play beach games on the beach. Serenity Beach is not that crowded with people which makes it even more spectacular.

Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The churches in Pondicherry are famous for their Portuguese architecture and the Basilica of The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a must-visit. This Catholic Church was built in 1908 by French missionaries and is the only basilica in Pondicherry. The gothic architecture of this church, with its carved doors, stained glass, sculptures, and the high altar is strikingly beautiful.

Jawahar Toy Museum

Jawahar Toy Museum is one of the best places to visit in Pondicherry. This is a special place for kids, where they can see a wide range of dolls and toys from different regions of India. This museum has a rare collection of dolls with traditional dresses and costumes. There are puppets too, and these are hand-made by artisans of different states.

Old Lighthouse

One of the best places to visit in Pondicherry is the Old Lighthouse. This lighthouse was built by a French engineer called Louis Guerre in 1835 and is a historical landmark of Pondicherry. The beacon of light from this was so strong that it could be seen from a distance of 15 miles. Although the lighthouse is not functional, it is nevertheless, one of the magnificent monuments of days gone by.

Promenade

One of the best places to visit in Pondicherry is the Promenade. This beach is close to the city center and is very popular with locals and tourists. Rocks along the shore, palm tree for greenery, benches for seating, and paved walkways for a stroll makes this one of the best places for morning and evening walks. Restaurants near the Promenade offer delicious food and drinks.

Arikamedu

If age-old relics and ruins fascinate you, you should pay a visit to Arikamedu. Arikamedu has ancient ruins of an early Roman settlement and is proof of the ancient ties and trade connections with Roman civilization. The place was a port during the 1st century BC. Glass beads were made here during those times. The ruined structures here are eerie but are the only remaining signs of the earliest ports of India.

Auroville Beach

Auroville Beach is one of the best beaches to visit in Pondicherry. This beach is great for splashing around and having a nice dip. You can take long beach walks here during the evenings and gaze at the beautiful sunsets. The famous lighthouse of Pondicherry is visible from this beach. Residents of Auroville Ashram often come to this beach to relax and meditate.