Pondicherry, the coastal town in the eastern part of India, used to be a French Colony. The city still has several historical buildings built by the French and later the British. They are conveniently located at a distance of 152 km from Chennai. Book a Chennai to Pondicherry cab to enjoy a weekend here. You can book a Chennai to Pondicherry cab on rYde by redBus for a hassle free and convenient experience at affordable prices. So, now let’s checkout some of the must visit places in Pondicherry.
List of Must Visit Places in Pondicherry
When you visit Pondicherry there are a few places that you should not miss. The beautiful buildings with their colorful walls make Pondicherry a unique place with lovely roads, serene beaches, a seaside Promenade, and numerous attractions across this place. These places are deeply intertwined with the town’s culture and history. Some of those essential places are discussed below.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
This beautiful church with blue doors and windows against the pure white walls is one of the oldest churches in the city. It is locally known as Samba Kovil. It was the Roman Catholic Archdiocese’s mother church. Built in Portuguese architecture, this marvelous building is beautiful inside and outside. There are beautiful paintings depicting the story of Jesus inside. It is just 3 km from the city center and within walkable distance from the nearby places such as Bharathi Park and Puducherry Legislative Assembly. The church is open from 7 am to 12 pm and later from 3 pm to 8.30 pm.
Rock Beach
The Promenade beach is otherwise known as the Rock Beach, owing to the huge rocks along the beach. There is only a small patch of sandy beach where you can go into the water and have some fun. The remaining stretch of the beach is simply a Rockside. The entire beach area is a straight stretch of 1.5 km, with the War Memorial on one end and the Dupleix Park in Goubert Avenue on the other. The concrete pathway is beautifully lined by cafes, restaurants, guest houses, etc. on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other side. This is the best place to enjoy a night stroll, as vehicles are not allowed at this time.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
The ashram is said to be the resting palace of Sri Aurobindo and Mother Mira Alfassa. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Pondicherry. The ashram houses 1200 followers and 400 students studying Sri Aurobindo’s ideologies. The Samadhi is the central part of the ashram, which has an art gallery, printing press, library, guest houses, etc. The bookstall inside will have books related to the ideologies of Sri Aurobindo and his biography. It is located just away from the city center. Children below the age of three are not allowed inside. The timing here is 8-noon and 2-6 in the afternoon. You will need to leave your footwear outside or in safe keeping, wash your feet and then enter the ashram.
Sri Karneshwar Nataraja Temple
This pyramid-shaped temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Nataraja form. It is located about 12 km away from Auroville, on the Pudupakkam beach. The temple aligns with the magnetic north to provide maximum energy inside. The idol is placed at such a height that the lord’s third eye stays at the pyramid’s one-third height, which generates the maximum energy of the pyramid. The temple has three circumambulations, one surrounding the sanctum, the second around the temple, and the third around the pyramid complex. The temple is open from 7 am to 12 pm and later from 4 pm to 7 pm.
The Pondicherry Botanical Garden
This botanical Garden is a perfect place for an evening walk, picnic for families or couples to enjoy a stroll, and natural beauty and french architecture. While the entire city is colorful in white, grey, blue, and yellow, you will see lush greenery everywhere. There are 1500 species of plants and trees in this French Garden. This recreational Garden was established in 1826 in an entirely French Style. This will be a wonderful space to get some respite from the hot and humid climate of the city. The Garden has a paid entry for adults and kids. The park will be open every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
How to Reach Pondicherry?
Chennai and Bangalore are the closest cities to Pondicherry. However, Chennai is the most immediate and frequent. A Chennai to Pondicherry cab is available on rYde by redBus for a one-day trip or a weekend getaway. Cabs will be available for a group of 4-7 people at reasonable prices. Another option is buses such as the Bangalore to Pondicherry and Chennai to Pondicherry buses. Though the buses are cheaper, the cabs will provide a more private tour with as many rest stops as you need.