Pondicherry Attractions

These are the major attractions in Pondicherry, places like The Matrimandir, Sri Aurobindo ashram and many other places. To find out more just read on.....

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 Panthon / Aayi mandapam and Bharti park:

This monument is the emblem of the Government of Pondicherry, previously called as La Place du Panthon and later change into Aayi mandapam. 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 panels depicting saints and events 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 visitors center Ph :2622239 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 worlds 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 meditation chamber which the most unique of 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

(9am- 6pm, all days) Ph: 2600816 / 2600194 Facilities for boating are available at the Boat House on the River Chunnambar, 8 km 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.

Ashrams in Pondicherry
Nearly 18 saints or siddhas were based in Pondicherry. It is interesting to know their history and to visit their ashrams. Many local people make it as a practice to visit such ashrams / temples like Siddanandha, Kambli, ashram, Akka swami, Bade Shaeib, Yogi Ram Paradesi and many more.

Churches in Pondicherry
French missionary zeal in the 17th and 18th saw a number of imposing churches built here. "The Sacred-Heart Church", situated on the south boulevard, stands out as an oriental specimen of gothic splendour. It contains rare and beautiful stained glass panels depicting saints and events from the life of Christ. "The Immaculate Conception Cathedral", on the Cathedral Street, was first built in 1692. It took its present shape in 1791. "Our Lady of Angels Church" is notable for its masonry and prayer mass are done in French, which makes this church quite unique.

The Pondicherry Museum

(10.00 am to 5.00 pm closed on Mondays and government holidays)

The museum brings back memories of the glorious past of Pondicherry, from the days of the Greco-Roman era down to the present days, providing glimpses of the art and culture of the people of this region during the pallava, a Chola and Vijayanagar days. Artifacts from the excavations at Arikamedu are preserved here.

Promenade - The Pondicherry Beach

The 1.5 km long promenade running along the beach is the pride of Pondicherry. Most of the landmarks are on the sea front: the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Jeanne d'Arc, Duplex, the elegant War Memorial raised be the French, the heritage building "Mairie", the 27m tall old lighthouse, the circular shaped customs house and Gandhi Thidal.

Pondicherry shopping
Pondicherry is quite famous for highly creative and beautiful souvenirs. Terra cotta, handmade papers, wooden handicraft, aromatics 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.