Pondicherry Nearby Attractions| Nearby Attractions in Pondicherry

About Pondicherry

The Union Territory of Pudhucherry (earlier Pondicherry) comprises of the four unconnected, erstwhile French settlements of Pudhucherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. While Karaikal lies 150 km south of Pudhucherry on the east coast, Mahe is on the Malabar Coast and Yanam in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.

As you travel down the scenic East Coast road you hit Pudhucherry about 160 kms south of Chennai on the Coromandel Coast. It is bound on the east by the Bay of Bengal and by South Arcot District of Tamil Nadu on the other three sides. Pudhucherry traces its origin to Sage Agasthya. Nearby Attractions in Pondicherry, attractions,Pondicherry Nearby Attractions, Nearby Attractions in Pondicherry, attractions, places of interest in Pondicherry places of interest in Pondicherry, attractions in Pondicherry, travel to Pondicherry Its shores have also been home to different cultures, from the Romans to the French, who ruled for 300 years.

Today, it exudes a charming picture of a quaint French town with its neat, cobbled streets, elegant houses, policemen with red kepis, quaint signboards, statues of Dupleix and Joan of Arc and pretty gardens. Nearby Attractions in Pondicherry, attractions, places of interest in Pondicherry, attractions in Pondicherry, travel to Pondicherry The entire town is divided into the French Quarter (Ville Blanche or White town) and the Indian quarter (Ville Noire or Black Town).Pondicherry Nearby Attractions, Nearby Attractions in Pondicherry, attractions, places of interest in Pondicherry The Aurobindo Ashram founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926, and Auroville (10 km) with its quiet spiritual experience, draw people from all over the world.

Near by attractions:

Climate in Pondicherry and Climate of Pondicherry - Travel to Pondicherry implies experiencing a strong presence of French influence in its ambience. This union territory of India is a unique place. It holds its old charm amidst modern developments. Nearby Attractions in Pondicherry, attractions, places of interest in Pondicherry, attractions in Pondicherry, travel to Pondicherry The new settlement or say Climate of Pondicherry includes the town Pondicherry or Pondy and three other pockets in the different states such as Karaikal (Tamil Nadu), Mahe (Kerala), and Yanam (Andhra Pradesh). Located 200 km south of Chennai, this beautiful place offers great vistas of Deccan Plateau. While you visit Climate of Pondicherry nearby attractions - places of interest in Pondicherry you can bask in the
beauty of red soil, lush dense vegetation comprising of Cashew, Palm and Neem and picturesque landscapes.

There are many places to visit in and around Pondicherry Climate. However, some of the most popular nearby attractions in Pondicherry Climate include;

Matri Mandir at Auroville – located about 10 km from Pondicherry on the Tamilnadu border Auroville boasts of an architectural marvel.

Chunnambar – it is a beach and backwater resort. Located about seven kilometers from Pondicherry Climates on the way to Cuddalore, this place is an exciting picnic spot where fun, sports, calm and beauty all can be
enjoyed at the same time. It has boating facilities also at the Boat House. It also features three tree top houses.

Gingee – located about 50 km south east of Madras, it is a very interesting hub of famous forts that were built around 1200 AD.

Tiruvannamalai - it is home to the largest Shiva temple in south India called Ramana Maharshi's ashram. It is situated beside the mountain Arunachala . It is a very popular pilgrimage destination for millions. Here you can also see the famous fossil tree-Tiruvakkadai.

Mahabalipuram – this beautiful village is an ideal retreat to relax and rejuvenate. This place is very popular for shore temples. At this place, you can visit temple relics as well as the Crocodile Bank.

Thanjavur – located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, this place is famous for Brahadeeswara Temple, Vijayanagara fort, a Bell Tower and the Saraswathi Mahal Library.

Kumbhakonam – It is a famous place for ancient temples and Maha Makham Tank. Besides, it also houses a temple consecrated to Lord Brahma which is very unique and rare in India.

Here are a few of the major attractions:

Sri Aurobindo Ashram:
This place was founded by Sri Aurobindo, who in the early ages was a revolutionist and then turned poet. His was jointly helped by The Mother, who was a Paris born painter. The Ashram is a centre for the practice of integral yoga, meditation, and of inner development.

Place du Panthéon / Aayi mandapam and Bharti park:

This monument is the emblem of the Government of Pondicherry, previously called as La Place du Panthéon and later change into Aayi mandapam.Pondicherry Nearby Attractions, Nearby Attractions in Pondicherry, attractions, places of interest in Pondicherry This monument is surround by five parks, and is maintained to remind us the beauty of French architecture.

The Pondicherry Botanical Garden
The Botanical garden was created 1826 and was then called "The Colonial Park". The renowned botanist Perottet brought many rare species of plants, about 1500 of them, from places like Madras, Calcutta, Ceylon and Reunion.

Pondicherry Temples
There are bout 15 Temples out of which Mankula Vinayaka, Sri Vedapuriswar, and Kamatchiamman are the most famous.

Pondicherry Beaches
If you want to spend some peaceful time you can go to our beaches and get yourself tanned with a pleasant sun at Auro beach, Sangamam beach, or Plage Paradiso (Chunnambar beach). Get the complete view of the beaches, and magnificent sunsets, by clicking here

Heritage Walk around Pondicherry
It is very beautiful to take a walk around the Boulevards of Pondicherry , which presents to you with three different kinds of architecture, The white town or the French area, the Tamil square, and the Muslim square. To visit our map of Pondicherry showing you the route please click here.

Pondicherry Churches
Pondicherry had been under the French which have built many splendid churches, some which even have rare staingalss pannels depicting saints and wvwnts form the life of Christ. The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, on Cathedral Street, was first built in1692. It took its present shape in 1791.

Auroville
Auroville was inaugurated on 28th feb 1968 with representation from 124 countries.

Auroville was envisioned as a Universal Town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs, can live in peace and harmony.

It is an attempt to realize a new society as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Nearly people from 35 countries are living here to realize on human unity and transformation of consciousness.

Auroville welcomes people from all parts of the world to live together and explore cultural, educational, scientific, spiritual, and other pursuits in accordance with the Auroville Charter.

Auroville information centre and Matri Mandir [Meditation hall with world’s biggest man- made crystal ball are the places open to most of the visitors. It offers less to see and lots to experience

To view Auroville in actual photos please click here.

Auroville also has a huge golden globe called Matrimandir, in which there is a meditaion chamber which the most uniqueof all meditation chambers you have ever visited, and a place where you can get the experience of a life time. To get a visual please click here.

Chunnambar water sport centre
Facilities for boating are available at the Boat House on the River Chunnambar, 8 kms from Pondicherry. The backwater and the lush greenery on both sides of Chunnambar provide an ideal setting.

Ousteri lake
Ousteri Lake is one of the biggest lake and major supplier of drinking water in those days. Now it is opened for the tourists for boat ride and to watch the birds. During the
season, this lake acts as dwelling place for many migrating birds.

Arikamedu
Arikamedu has a long history dating back to 2nd century B.C. It was used as a port for trade with the Romans and Greco-Romans. Wine, garum sauce and olive oil, were imported and the exports must have included textile, beads, semiprecious gems, glass and shell bangles.

But now we can see only the perpendicular walls and a mission house, as the excavated trenches have been filled up. To know more about Arikamedu and its ancient culture you could visit the Pondicherry Museum where pottery, beads, shell bangles, ear studs etc are preserved.

Pondicherry shopping
Pondicherry is quite famous for highly creative and beautiful souvenirs. Terracotta, handmade papers, wooden handicraf ts, aromat ics, leather products, linens and garments are unique here. Sunday market is ideal for buying cheaper products. For the whole list of places to go shopping please click here.

Anglo French textiles(AFT)
AFT established in 1898 offer best cotton fabrics. They have factory outlet open for public sale.

South India Holiday Tours offers you interesting and exciting information on Pondicherry Nearby Attractions.

 

 

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