About Pondicherry
Do not judge Pondicherry by its small size. In India it was once the biggest French colony. This city bears a long, rich and interesting history of war and trade. You would find a stringent French influence on the city. The quarters, Mediterranean style houses lined by boulevards, bakeries etc will give you a French effect. Although the city is Indian, French is understood. You will find a heartening amalgamation of West and East.
Places to visit in Pondicherry
You can plan to do some meditation at Auroville, or even attend Bharatanatyam performances at local temples, or major hotels. Try your luck at fishing or hire a moped to enjoy long drives on sandy beaches.
The cuisines of Pondicherry will surprise your taste buds. It ranges from South Indian culinary like idli and dosa to fried fish. Because of its French influence, you can find French food in restaurants.
The best places to visit in Pondicherry are Gandhi Statue, Barathi Park, Beach Churches, Chunnambar Boat House, Botanical garden, Oustery Lake, Paradise Beach, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Government Museum, Auroville city, Boat House, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Villianur Thirukameeswarar Temple, Auro Beach.
This city is marked with highest levels of standards of quality living. You can enjoy your leisurely strolls right after the sunrise on the chilled beaches. When you are in the French part of the town you would be transported in the magical era. There are these leafy streets, and colonial bungalows, courtyards which spill yellow and pink, bougainvilleas.
If you visit the restored French mansion you will be greeted by high walls which are a feature of French architecture. You would be out of breath when you take a look at its interiors.
Its library has these massive teak bookcases which might make your reminisce the old heritage. This library is not confined to single room, but spread across the mansion. It has casual seating provisions. The French architecture its windows, high – ceilinged rooms, were built to ensure enormous flow of breeze from the sea. This kept the room cool in the summer months when heat pours out the maximum.
On your trip to Pondicherry, do carry casual clothes and set your mind to relax.