Five Places You Must See In Pondicherry

BY SOMREETA MUKHERJEE

Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry, is a beautiful coastal town located about 170 km away from Chennai, by the seas in Tamil Nadu, India. While you plan to stay in this quaint Heritage City or the White City abounding in picturesque French villas, there are a few spots that should feature in your must-see list in and around Pondy. Keep reading to know about the top five sightseeing in Pondicherry.

Golden Sphere, Matrimandir

FIVE PLACES YOU MUST SEE IN PONDICHERRY

1.ROCKY BEACH OR PROMINADE BEACH

This spotless beach, situated in the heart of Pondicherry, is also known as Gandhi beach which has the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, and is immensely popular with tourists. A serene atmosphere prevails and it is a heavenly experience sitting on the rocks, watching the waves of the blue sea roll and splash on the rocks. The statue of Gandhiji is flanked by 8 granite rocks, surrounded by marble flooring.

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Rocky Beach

Walk for miles along the wide pavement by the beach and catch up for a cup of coffee at Le Cafe in the evening. The evening is particularly beautiful here.

Rocky Beach

2.SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM

Visit the serene and peaceful ashram, located in the Heritage Town by the Rocky Beach, to connect with the soul of the divinity associated with Sri Aurobindo. Silence is strictly maintained inside and you are allowed to meditate in the premises, by the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo. Photography is strictly prohibited inside.  Once you step in, you realize how timeless and eternal the ambience is, provided you are willing to submit your soul to the Divine Self.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

3.BASILICA OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

This 100-years old church is an oriental Gothic architectural specimen and is a famous place of pilgrimage for Christians.

BASILICA OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Beautiful panels of tinted glass depict the life of Jesus and Catholic saints.

4.AUROVILLE

Founded by Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual associate, ‘the Mother’-Mirra Alfassa in 1968, this experimental ‘universal township’ belongs to no one in particular; ‘it belongs to humanity as a whole’. A place of unending education and constant progress, the Auroville is the culmination and reflection of her vision of Integral living. A bridge that connects the past and the future, Auroville ‘will be a site of material and spiritual researches for a living embodiment of an actual Human Unity’. At the core of Auroville is the golden sphere of Matrimandir which is a symbol of the human quest of perfection.

Quotes found at Auroville

While on way to Matrimandir, you cannot afford to miss the beautiful quotes written on slabs that flank the path.

Shady patch on way to Matrimandir

An embodiment of tranquillity, Matrimandir is a place to realize human unity and spiritually connect with one’s consciousness. Auroville is situated away from the hustle and bustle of the main city.

Matrimandir, closer view

BOTANICAL GARDEN

This garden about 180 years old is yet another tourist spot, located right in the centre of the city. Wish to listen to birds twittering in the branches of a variety of trees? The rich flora is surely something you must see here. I loved my toy train ride in the Botanical Garden watching trees labelled with common as well as scientific names.

toy train ride at Botanical Garden

So when do you plan to pay a visit to Pondicherry?