India’s little France, Pondicherry is one of the seven Union Territories of India. The history of Pondicherry has parts played by the Dutch, Portuguese, British, and later the French. Interestingly, there is evidence of Roman settlements here nearly 2000 yrs ago! Pondicherry became sensational as a land of mixed culture and hotspot for trade over the years. The French East India Company set up a trading center dated back to 1674 and was the capital of the French for a very long time.
The Geography of the French Town
The Union Territory consists of four separate geographical areas and all are seaside tourist resorts. They are Pondicherry and Karaikal near Tamil Nadu (East Coasts) as districts and Mahe in Kerala and Yanam in Andhra Pradesh (West Coast) as administrative units.
As of the topography, Pondicherry is flat land with no hills and forests. But India’s most notable beaches and elegant French resorts are found nowhere except in Pondicherry. Over the years, the place attracts thousands of tourists and natural enthusiasts round the year for its captivating historical hotspots and mind-blowing coastal shores.
The Interesting Parts of Pondicherry
The streets of the French Quarter of Pondicherry are known as White Town. The land has strong French influence and it is obvious as you step on anyone of its streets. The streets are dotted with charming mustard-yellow colonial structures with laden walls. None can agree less that Cafes in Pondicherry are an absolute delight and stunningly themed. Bay of Buddha, Sky Garden, New Banana Café are eye-catching ones that offer first-class French cuisine and beverages. The way they are themed and designed is unique and Interesting.
Tourism in Pondicherry
From indulging in various water activities like surfing, scuba diving to chilling by the shores of the beaches and seeking peace, if they are looking for an adrenaline rush or break from the chaos, Pondicherry has got you covered. The Spirituality and vibes in Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville are like nowhere you could find. The spiritual community is the sole reason that attracts thousands of tourists to explore this beautiful city.
For nature lovers who wish to escape the buzzing cities and beat the heat, Pondicherry is the right place to reach. The serene retreat is home to various beaches and lakes that would sweep you off your feet at first glance. With several tourist hotspots to hit, it is sure that you would be stuck in a dilemma when it comes to choosing a place to hit first.
Iconic Places of Pondicherry
Few beautiful churches in Pondicherry for example, Basilica Sacred Heart of Jesus, are masterpieces of East Germanic architecture. It can hold up to 2000 people at once and is appreciated as a classic example of Gothic splendor. The church houses spectacular glass pictures of twenty-eight saints who were the great devotees of Jesus Christ. Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Our Lady of Assumption Church, The Church of Lady of Lourdes, Church of Our Lady of Good Health are few shrines that showcase historic and architectural importance.
More than 70 countries have Mahatma Gandhi’s statues erected. One other iconic face of Pondicherry is that it has the Third Largest Gandhi Statue in the World in the middle of Rock Beach. The four feet tall statue is the tallest Gandhi statue in all of Asia! There are as many as 45 + most iconic tourist places in Pondicherry. They include beaches, temples, churches, resorts, cafes, museums, lakes and the list would be never-ending.
Activities to do in Pondicherry
Pondicherry is considered a kaleidoscope of coastlines of the Bay of Bengal. One has to feel blessed since Pondicherry is the best scuba diving destination in the entire country! Interestingly Pondicherry is the only place to Scuba Dive on India’s East Coast. There are 20+ scuba diving sites in Pondicherry and it gives you the golden opportunity to dive into the mesmeric water world to explore its magical beauty. Scuba diving is a common trait among the locals and it has quickly gained immense popularity among tourists. 4 Corners, Temple Reef, Coral Shark Reef, Arvind's Wall, and The Hole are the popular ones to miss during your vacay in Pondicherry. If lucky, you can see the Pondicherry Shark that is almost extinct and there are less than 20 left in the entire World.
Apart from Scuba diving, other land sports like All-terrain vehicle rides, paintball games, and zipline are quite famous and adventurous sports to engage in. if you are wondering whether the quaint city has more, Yes, it does. Surfing, Boating, Kayaking, Paragliding, Paddle Boarding, Kite Surfing, Windsurfing, Go Karting, Bungee Jumping, Rock Climbing, Hiking, and Canoeing are some of the favorite sports tourists are having a good time indulging in as you read through Pondicherry’s overview!
A city Tour!
A city tour in a city like Pondicherry is rewarding! The city covers an area of around 90km and a tour around the city might take you 8-12 hours of your time to complete. Learn and witness how Pondy's cityscape has changed in the last few decades! Various mixes of culture and modernization will make you fall in love with it. Relinquish over a gastronomic sojourn and get acquainted with the bucolic charm.
Places like the Botanical Garden, Government Museum, and Panchavati Anjaneya with many exotic eateries, historic places, and cultural centers will be prominent to your eyes as you stroll around the French town. Add a classic touring experience on bicycles (preferably in October and November) and explore the authentic beauty of Pondicherry on your visit. A visit to Indian Square in Vaishali Street shows you the perfect blend of French essence with an aura of Tamil lifestyle. With an overview of the entire city so far, there are few places listed below for you to make your checklist as you visit Pondicherry for a memorable vacation. No matter which tourist spot you decide to drop by, each corner of Pondicherry engulfs you with its heart-warming locales and diversity!
