Tour Of Pondicherry

Yep this time it was to Pondi what we planned on Easter...
So left Bengaluru on 5th and reached Puducherry {Pondicherry}by next day morning 5AM
It takes 6 Hrs by bus to cover 320 KM .
Carry a map with u while heading to Pondi.
The city is divided into French area and Tamil area try to stay @ French dominated area.

6th April 2007
Had a stay @ Ashram Guest house which was reserved for us...Try to find some good sea side hotels as Ashram guest house comes handy i.e 125 INR per day but with no facilities i.e. no AC/TV etc.....
Get a pass to visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram ...pass r available @ Ashrama Bureau Center...
Next thing get to Ashrama Autocare and book ur Ticket to Auroville for 60 INR.
U can even get a coupon for food @ Ashram Dining Room for 20 INR per day.

Aurobindo Ashram since its establishment almost a century back has played a significant role in the socio-economic-spiritual fabric of Puducherry. Therefore it is not surprising that the Ashram and its various branches together occupy some of the best heritage properties in Puducherry. The ‘Ashram Walk’ covers the northern section of French Puducherry, taking u through many grand buildings of French lineage,
1.Ashram Office (starting point) 2. Ashram Library 3. French Consulate 4. French Institute 5. Ashram Playground 6. Ashram Art House 7. Le Foyer de Soldat – Legion half for soldiers who served in the different French wars. 8. Ashram and Samadhi 9. Gloconde – Main residential quarters for the Ashramites.10. Auroshika (shop) 11. La Tienda (shop) 12. Boutique d’ Auroville (shop) 13. Auroshree (shop) 14. Vak Bookshop (shop).

Have a good lunch @ Ashram and walk to Ashram Autocare center a cab will b waiting for u to take to Auroville...

Auroville “The City of Dawn”, is planned for 50,000 inhabitants. It is located on a low-lying plateau a few kilometres north of Puducherry. It was on 28th February 1968 when youth representing 128 countries and all Indian States placed earth from their native places in an urn symbolizing the creation of a city dedicated to human unity and international understanding. Since then Aurovillians have been working tirelessly to realize the idea set by The Mother of a city that will manifest human unity in diversity, a testing ground and laboratory for the next step in human evolution.

At the centre stands Matrimandir, the ‘soul of Auroville’, a place for quiet reflection and concentration. Radiating out, beyond the Matrimandir Gardens, will be four zones – the industrial, cultural, residential and international.

The Ashram guide will explain, and the whole concept of Auroville is also presented to u in a 20 min. video presentation.

Returned back in evening and went back to The 1.5 km long promenade running along the

beach is the pride of Puducherry the best thing here is all mechanical vehicals including 2 wheelers r banned after 5 PM on beach road......wow........! thats one place on Earth u will find such a system and we were really surprised to see that no vehicles for almost 4 hours absolutely no vehicles.......thats a must go spot. The beach is open up to Midnight.

7th April 2007

Hire a bicycle and have a ride towards FRENCH HERITAGE @ AROUND 9:00 AM
Starting Point: Puducherry Tourist Information Centre
Walk ends at : Puducherry Tourist Information Centre Distance : Approx. 2 k.m Approximate time taken : 1 to 1 ½ hrs.
The buildings in French section of Puducherry are an enduring legacy of French history in India. It tells the story of a colonial adventure in a far away land, fighting many odds, overcoming a new and difficult terrain and the historic rivalry between the European powers of the time including the Danes, the Dutch and the British besides the French. The French Heritage walk takes u through streets that are laid out in a well planned grid pattern. The buildings in the French section are easily recognizable by their ornate gateways arches, garden courtyards with multicoloured bougainvilleas and the buildings themselves painted in pleasant hues of lime and peach. The grand French names through unpronounceable, add a certain charm. Bon Voyage!!!

PLACES COVERED 1. Department of Tourism - Tourist Information Centre (starting point) Collect Maps and other information from the helpful information counter. 2. Hotel de Vile - The building housed the town hall during the French administration. It is now the Puducherry Municipal Office.3. French War Memorial 4. Gandhi Statue - The statue of the most popular Indian leader on the beach front is surrounded by eight carved pillars from the nearby Gingee Fort. 5. Toy Museum 6. Old Light House - built in 1836 A.D 7. Nehru Statue 8. Romain Rolland Library 9. Puducherry Museum The museum hosed in a pleasant French period building has some interesting collections including some charming colonial furniture. 10. Raj Nivas This grand building is now the His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor’s residence. 11. Ashram Dining Room 12. Cercle de Puducherry - A privileged members only club, a throw back from the French times. 13. Legislative Assembly 14 .Aayi Mandapam - A magnificent memorial built by French to an Indian Temple dancer who lived 300 years before the French arrived in Puducherry. 15. UCO Bank 16. Puducherry Art Gallery 17. Notre Dames des Anges The Church is built in the Greco-Roman style in 1855 A.D 18. Joan of Arc Statue 19. Church of Capuchians - Now an orphanage, the church is one of the very few buildings that survived the British raid in 1761 20. Lycee Francaise 21. Le Grand Hotel d Europe - The 1891 A.D building housed of the oldest hostelries in Puducherry. 22. Hotel Lagrenee de Meziere - This is now home to the sisters of Cluny Convent. See nimble fingered girls make embroidered master pieces in the latest European styles. 23. Hotel de L’ Orient - This tastefully renovated heritage building is now one of Puducherry’s best heritage hotel. 24. Alliance Francaise - Learn a little French while in Puducherry. View French movies or borrow French books. 25. Ashram Theatre 26. Dupliex statue - A tribute to one of the most successful French governors in India.27. Ecole Francaise d’ Extreme Orient - Visit the institute for information on courses on Indology, History or Architecture.

@ around 11 AM Move towards The Botanical Gardens which are located south of the New Bus Stand. The gate leading to the garden is reminiscent of French architecture and it stands out from its immediate surroundings because it is smack in the middle of the old Tamil town. The Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1826 in the ornate French style, with pruned trees, beautiful flower beds and gravel lined paths and fountains. The French introduced many exotic plants from all over the world, many of which thrived. With over 1500 species of plants, this could actually qualify as one of the best botanical gardens in South India.The gardens also have a musical fountain which is active over the weekends, with two shows in the evening .

@ around 3:00 PM Move towards Chunnambar Backwater

Chunnambar is situated 8 kms from Puducherry, along the Cuddalore Main Road. This tropical paradise is flanked by a quiet-flowing creek on one side.
The beach at Chunnambar also known as Plage Paradiso, is located near the mouth of the backwater. The sand is pristine and the water, clean. It's and ideal place for sun bathing and beach sports.A short, pleasant cruise into the sea which costs 60 INR from here could reward u with the memorable sight of playful dolphins in natural habitat, horsing around. Chunnambar Beach and Backwater Resort, a PTTDC enterprise, has boating, backwater boat tours, trekking and picnics on Paradise Beach for friends and families.The resort offers various kinds of rental boats (speed, motor, sail, rowed paddled and peddalled) in addition to beach volleyball and other beach sports.

8h April 2007
@ around 6:30 AM Left to Mahabalipuram ,the East Cost Road(ECR) towards Chennai take u @ an max speed wow.. that is a journey to b covered by road ,Mahabalipuram is around 80 KM from Pondi.

Places to see @ mahabalipuram r Caves constructed around AD 640-674 there r around 10 caves and a light house in one complex and 5 Rathas in 2nd complex and a Sea shore Temple in the 3rd complex all these 3 sites have been declared World heritage Sites. A single ticket pass by ASI (Archaeological survey of India) which costs u around 10 INR will take u to all these historical places.

The whole place is maintained extremely well. Its worth visiting. And takes u around 6-7 hours. Drink hell lot of water as the temp. here is around 40+ any time of year...

Returned back and packed up to base B'lore...


THESE 3 DAYS WAS AN AMAZING TOUR FROM FRENCH ARCITHECTURE OF PONDI TO THE CAVES TO MAHABALIPURAM.

The total cost of tour was around 2000 INR inclusive of Travel, Stay n Food.

Special thanks to Sri Aurobindo Ashram Autocare Center for Guiding us to all the places around pondi and Auroville.