The French Riviera of the East. Review on Pondicherry

I am still thinking about the French Riviera … Oh ho, let me complete the sentence! It is not a post under wine section:) I am talking about the French Riviera of the East. Yes, it’s Pudhucherry. My Pondicherry hangover is still not gone….

One might ask the question why Pondicherry that also in the month of May. It is cos I wanted to visit a place [during the May Day long weekend] where I had been before & can take rest without freaking around much. Weather in a coastal area will always be different irrespective of the season - humid.

To enjoy nature best is to take ECR from Chennai. Also, reachable from Bangalore by road. Pondicherry, being UT no tax applicable here. But don’t expect things to cheap except liquor [FB 650ml @40 bucks!].

Places of interest around:

Aurobindo Ashram: Near Secretariat Building on the sea shore. One needs to enter the ashram bare foot [check my album for the shoe-rack and other places in Pondicherry @https://mouthshut.com/Gallery/myphoto.php?user=Kweldebs]. The ashram is open between 6:00-12:00 PM and 2:00-6:30PM. We are not supposed to speak inside. You will find a group of devotees handling the crowd smoothly without speaking a single word. We sat near the Samadhi for some time & trust me I completely forgot I was sitting under open sky in summer that also in a coastal area. The serenity there brought a difference.

Auroville: is must during the visit. It is called universal town where people of various nationalities and belief are living in harmony. It is located about 6 KM from the town. The moment we entered I heard some soothing music & assumed they must have played some serene music. To my surprise I found it’s a huge wind chime hung on a neem tree is the source of this beautiful sound. One needs to collect the pass to visit Matri Mandir. They are even helping providing employment to neighborhood villagers. They do have a boutique selling handmade products – prepared by people there.

The next is the Paradise Beach, about 8 KM from town. This is called Plage Paradiso. This is located near the opening of the backwater. Take a boat to reach the small island. Journey is those boat is fun.  A number of small huts are there to sit & enjoy the sea breeze if one doesn’t wanna xplore the water. They said we can see dolphin here but we could figure out one dead dolphin on beach. I collected a bag full of shells and managed a couple of attractive ones too.

Manakkula Vinayaka temple: near ashram. I happen to visit the place as saw an elephant [not flying] standing in front of the temple & blessing whoever gives it coin or some food item.

Sitting in the shore near ashram in evening & trying various munch is enjoyable. It brings instant freshness. Also, one can walk carefree on the sea-facing road as vehicles are not allowed during evening time.

Pondicherry is paradise for foodies …. I have already mentioned in my previous post [https://mouthshut.com/review/Anandha_Inn_-_Pondicherry-142868-1.html] bout how I did indulge on sea-food those 4 days. I must mention here, don’t expect sea food to be inexpensive here.

Travel tip: Better to hire cab incase you have not taken your own vehicle there. Bikes are available on rent [per day basis]. In Pondicherry the cab walas have a strange way of charging both on hour & on the distance covered. And they will take you to the place where you need to spend at least 2-3 hours.  It is better to book for flat six hours followed by actuals on hour basis. Best option is to opt for bike while visiting Auroville, so that the place could be explored in real sense.

Don’t miss to carry Sun lotion / topi [my favourite] / drinking water and spare clothes [who knows when you get a chance to enjoy sea water.

Language would not be a barrier. I survived with Hinglish in the French Riviera I mean The French Riviera of the East ….