Well I have visited Pondichery over more than 4 times for stay and about 7 times for just visits due to other reasons and I would say its best place to relax. Since we stay at Chennai, wen ever we get 2 days holidays we plan to stay a Pondichery just for relaxing and enjoying the beach there! Well it was the first time in 2008, when we visited all the attractive places at pondicherry and after that, we only visit for just stay at the sea side hotel just to relax, enjoy the beach and visit the temple there.
In 2008, we took about 1hrs 15min to=get to Pondicherry thru East coast Road(ECR)= by our Santro car. It was a no stop trip with speed about 110Kph. In 2013, we took about 2 hrs to get to Pondi thru ECR by our Elantra with Speeds Between 90 to 110 kph. Pondichery can also be reached via NH45. But would take about 2hrs and 30 mins.
The Places we visited at Pondichery are -
Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple -
Well I dont pray God, but my mother does. So when ever we got to pondi, we visit this good Vinayagar/Ganesh temple. The maintain attraction of the temple is its elephant. The Temple is always crowded and well maintained too. But there is not car parking for the Temple which is the only pain!
Matrimandir-
Aka Auroville. Its an Experimental Township located just outskirts of Pondicherry on ECR. Wow, what an architectural structural construction. I was Amazed by the golden metallic sphere in the center of town. this is the place which should not be missed if u visit Pondi. Its like, you should not miss Tajmahal when u visit Agra.
Pros -
1) Very calm place. Best suited for yoga and meditation.
2) Best place for Photography.
3) Good place for enjoying Green vegetation. Literally good for health and eyes especially.
Cons -
The only negative we felt was, the golden metallic sphere was located almost 1.5 kms inside from the main gate of Auroville Visitor's Center. No Vehicle facility upto the sphere. And u have to walk through the muddy way. Aged people will find difficult to walk becoz my mother did. Otherwise, this place is like visiting "heaven".
Promenade beach -
Also known a Pondichery beach and in all these years of my visit this is place I regularly happen to visit. Reason being, we always stay just at the banks of the beach at'Hotel Lotus bay View". Its a big beach Stretch which just looks like The Besant nagar beach but the only thing is these is no sand. The Stretch also has a Gandhi Ji Statue in The center which also a good Attraction for tourist.
At Night this stretch is restricted to vehicles entry and the place almost become a party place and the morning this place becomes an excercising place for all.
Overall, a best beach to relax at pondi.
Pondicherry Botanical Gardens -
We visited this Garden/park because on my mom's request. Because she likes greenery. So visited this park in the evening by around 4pm and only once till now.
Pros -
1) Has Aquarium which is well maintained.
2) The Garden has Train ride facility. Very Enjoyable. Good for Kids. We too went for a Ride, just for time pass.
3) good Greenery and chance to see a variety of plants and trees.
4) Park lot is available at large.
5) Restrooms are available and are usable. Not that clean thou'.
6) Good for photography.
Cons -
1) The Garden is very lonely place. Scary. Not advisable to visit alone.
2) Only Aquarium is clean but The Garden is very very dirty. Not maintained at all.
Otherwise its a place u should visit for relaxing.
Paradise Beach -
A nice and must place to visit in Pondicherry. Located atleast 10 to 12 kms south of Pondichery, This beach is located atleast 5 kms south of the main ECR, This beach is dedicated especially to young couples.
Pros -
1) Nice and clean beach because many are still not aware of this beach.
2) best suited for couples and youngsters to relax and enjoy.
3) Resorts located at close location.
4) Free Style Parking place.
Cons -
1) Lonely place, so not so secure.
2) No shops at all.
3) Located far inside from Main ECR, so reaching these becomes a pain. This is why many of em dont visit this place.
So a nice place to visit if u want to take out ur stress and have free rest and love photography.
The other Places to visit at pondichery are -
Pyramid Temple - which is located on north of Pondichery. its a different type of Temple. have not visited this place yet.
Pondicherry Museum - This is different from Auroville but also a very Calm place. Maintained very well. Even many Actors Visit here for yoga. Even once Actor Shreya Visited this place when we too visited. A best place for yoga and peace of mind. The Museum also have lots of Pondichery history and cultural pictures on display.
There might be a lot other places to be visited at Pondichery, but these above are the places I visited actually.
Other than these above Pondichery has got a lots of best hotels including Pizza huts, Multi cuisins and so on. The food is really best here. But the problem is the hotel get shut down early at night. mostly of them before 9:30Pm.
The Actual pondichery which is close by to Beach is just about 3 to 5 kms radius is the best and maintained clean but the whole of pondichery town/UT actually extends to about over 20kms in Radius and not that clean and look just like Other Cities like Chennai and bangalore.
Overall, Being a small town and an cute Union territory, Pondichery is the best place to Visit.
I love Pondi and will keep visited this place for years to come!
