Pondicherry

Pondicherry (also known as "Pondi", and now officially called Puducherry) [1], is a city and capital of the Pondicherry union territory of Southern India.

Culture and History

Pondicherry was the largest French colony in India. The city has a long and interesting history of trade and war. There is a strong French influence in the city, especially in the old quarters, with Rues and Boulevards lined with Mediterranean style houses and bakeries, although the city remains very much indian. French is still widely understood, and the whole city makes for rather pleasant mix of East and West.

Travel to Pondicherry - Visa Requirements

Road

Pondicherry is well connected from all sides. Chennai is situated 160 km north of the city. Getting to Pondicherry involves a three hour road journey from Chennai. One can get a bus from CMBT in Koyambedu or from Thiruvanmiyur or Guindy. You can be sure of a seat only from CMBT in Koyambedu.

The road from Chennai to Pondicherry (the East Coast Road, commonly called ECR) is a scenic highway and a normal journey would take about 3 hours. Most tourists however, cannot resist the seashore kissing thefcgfgf road and take a number of stops en route. This route passes through Mahabalipuram, Kalpakkam, Pudupattinam, Idaikkazhinadu (Alambara Fort), Mudaliarkuppam (has a cool boat house), Marakkanam (contains large areas under salt pans), Kanagachettikulam/Kalapet etc. before reaching Pondicherry.

The other route that can be taken to reach Pondy is through the National Highway 45 (NH-45) famously called as the Grand Southern Trunk GST Road. This route passes through Tambaram, Madhurantakam, Melmaruvathur, Tindivanam before reaching Pondicherry. Both the major roads from Chennai are toll roads and approximately take the same time.

Pondicherry is about 320 km from Bangalore. Drive down National Highway 7 (NH-7) till Krishnagiri, take a left off the main highway (roadsigns mark the route) and then take National Highway 66 (NH-66) to Pondicherry. This route passes through Uthangarai, Chengam, Tiruvannamalai, Gingee and Tindivanam. One can reach Pondicherry either through Tindivanam (via Gingee) or Villupuram (via Thirukovilur). Gingee fort is also on the way to Tindivanam and worth spending some time. It is a Archealogical survey of India (ASI)Heritage site. The total travel time should be about 5-6 hours. Do pack some food or snacks for the way as there are no good restaurants enroute.

Pondicherry is well connected to Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Karaikal, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, etc to the South by National Highway 45A (NH-45A). The road is well maintained till Chidambaram.

Pondicherry connects to the GST or NH - 45 in two places viz. at Villupuram by NH-45A and at Tindivanam by NH-66.

Rail12

Pondicherry is also connected to Chennai by an electric broad gauge railway line through Villupuram. There are 2 passenger trains running daily to Chennai Egmore Railway station and Tirupati and there is a weekly express train service to Bhubaneswar. In addition to this, there is also a daily express train to Chennai Egmore. Pondicherry is also accessible from Bangalore. Train starts from Bangalore on Friday night 11.15, return journey starts on Saturday night 10.00pm.

Air

Pondicherry has an airport with facilities for the landing of small aircraft like Dornier, Cessna, etc. But it is not available for public use presently.

Tours and Getting around Pondicherry

The best way to see Pondicherry and its surrounding areas is by renting out a "Pedal cycle" or a "motorcycle" or "ungeared scooter". But with the Huge traffic, now it is not even possible to walk in many streets as they are crowded. Your hotel should be able to provide the contact to the nearest store. The prices as of December 2008 were Rs.100 for an ungeared scooter and Rs.150 for a geared motorcycle. You will need to provide some identification document as collateral and an advance of Rs100-200. Many of the rentals also provide delivery and pickup at the hotel which is very useful. (Note: Usually the number of days for these vehicles are calculated from 9.00 AM to 9.00 PM)

The official Website: http://tourism.puducherry.gov.in/

pondicherry tourism

Pondicherry tourist attractions and sightseeing

• The Beach
• Barathi Park
• Churches
• Botanical garden
• Chunnambar Boat House(which is crowded on holidays and weekends)
• Oustery Lake(Only as a view but not developed)
• Paradise Beach
• Sri Aurobindo Ashram
• Government Museum
• Auroville city
• Boat House
• Manakula Vinayagar Temple
• Villianur - St. Lourd Church (7Km from Pondicherry towards Villupuram)
• Villianur Thirukameeswarar Temple

Pondicherry city tours

There is not much one is expected to do at Pondicherry. You would understand this better once you get there and understand the pace of life. People here love to take things slow and live each moment fully 50 year back but now it has more companies mainly on manufacturing as it is tax exempted for starting new industries. Infact Pondicherry has multiplied its population almost 5 times its population of the year 1980 and almost all crop growing areas are converted to plots and buildings. Pollution level has reached red alert as in chennai.

You can also do some serious meditation at the Auroville, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, or going to Bharatanatyam performances that are often organized there by the Auroville Cultural Exchange in the local temples, or at major hotels. You can also go fishing in a Cattaraman- fishing raft of sorts.

Pondicherry is beautiful to see. Check out things to do in Pondicherry

Pondicherry Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Pondicherry is known for its wide variety of cuisines from South Indian delicacies like idly and dosa to seafood like fried fish, prawn bajji and parota.Though the French history has an influence on the cuisine options here but the best options are still the local delicacies-sea food. Good French food is available at restaurants around the french part of town. One highly recommended restaurant is "Rendezvous" at 30, Rue Suffren. You can also try "Satsanga" at Rue Labourdonnais. "Anjappar" near Jeeva theatre signal and "Appachi" at Rangapillai street is well known for their Chettinad fare, though they are very crowded and you might have to go early to grab a table. For good south Indian snacks, try the Saravana Bhavan in Jawaharlal Nehru street. The Dosas are absolutely delicious.

Pondicherry nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Good branded liquor like Smirnoff, Bacardi and different Scotch Whiskies are very inexpensive as there is no sales tax in Pondicherry. A good store is "Costprice shop" on Lal Bahadur Shastri road.

• It is good to watch sea there.the most beautifull place there is french colony

Pondicherry cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Budget

There are a lot of budget hotels in the main shopping area, around Rangapillai Street.

• Aurobindo Ashram, (bureaucentral@sriaurobindoashram.org), [2]. For the budget traveler on a spiritual tour, the Guest Houses run by the Aurobindo Ashram are the best and the one Guest House which stands out is the Park Guest House. Please book in advance, if you don't want to be disappointed. The place is clean. Very strict too. No liquor, smoking, eating non-veg etc.Rs. 500 per day for Indians.  

• Sri Krishnas Guest House, 29/31 Rangapillai Street(3 mins west of GPO), ☎ 04132334477, 2221818, 2221010. checkout: 24 hrs after checkin. Large, clean hotel in the main shopping area. Rooms with TV with some English channels. French bakers 2 mins walk. Sea 10 mins walk.Rs500 non a/c.  

Midrange

Splurge

• Sunway GRT. [3] Rs. 5250 per night for an A/C double (actual double bed) per night. Cleanliness and service up to nice USA/European hotel standards. Not located in the center/touristy area of Pondicherry. You must arrange an auto-rickshaw (for approx Rs. 70) to get to the tourist area by the beach. Nice free buffet breakfast of South Indian foods.

On the top side is the Hotel Promenade ,Hotel De L'Orient, Dupleix, Anandha Inn, Ajantha, Annamalai, Ashoka, Sunway and many other hotels. Villa Helena and Le Dupleix are ditto.

Lot of other good hotels include, Pondicherry Ashok (has a good beach nearby), Hotel Mass, Hotel Soorya, Hotel Ram International, Surguru, Jayaram etc.

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