I was really excited about my first solo trip that too Pondicherry,a beauty of rich French colonial heritage. It is an epitome of diverse contemporary culture of tamilians and the french. I started from Bengaluru on 12th January 2018. Due to heavy traffic, the bus started two and half hours late from Electronic city. Thanks to the traffic in Bangalore I reached Pondicherry at 7:30 instead of 5
in the morning. My hotel check-in time is at 10:30.Its Raj Classic Inn, which is very close to the White town and Aurobindo ashram. Its roughly 2 km from the bus stand. I thought i should better walk instead of taking an auto/taxi. Most of the city is ethnically/culturally tamilian. Some of the streets are typically traditional Tamil ones. I had my breakfast in a South Indian hotel.The tamil part of the city has more of south Indian hotels. Finally, I reached my hotel very much before my check-in time.So I decided to stroll through the streets.The tamil part and the French part of the city can be distinguished very easily with a small canal passing between them. Also the streets of White town are amazing showcasing the beauty of french architecture with its serene lanes having yellow colored walls. Every street is named in French and all of them starts with Rue(street in French).
I passed through the Aurobindo ashram and tasted the coffee in Ponlait milk parlor.Then proceeded towards the beach. I reached the promenade beaches which stretches about a length of 1.2 km with rocks placed along the coast. Most of the government offices like Puducherry secretariat,French consulate and customs office are positioned on the beach road.Some of the heritage hotels are also present there.The sea is not harsh and i enjoyed the cool breeze sitting on the rocks somewhat near to Mahatma Gandhi statue. I spent there for an hour in solitude.
I checked into my hotel,asked the receptionist for a guide map of Pondicherry. It assisted me a lot with all the timings,locations and i planned accordingly. I first visited the Manakula vinayagar temple which is close to my hotel.I called the Dept of tourism after knowing about the half day and full day tours. Unfortunately they don’t have enough tourists to arrange for one.
Then I decided to go to Auroville alone. Its 12 km from Pondi. I rented a bicycle from a shop in Mission Street and started my ride. Half of my journey was pleasant and smooth.Then i felt really tired and stopped by a small road side hotel and had lunch. Then i continued my journey to Auroville(City of Dawn), an experimental township where people from different nations live in harmony dedicated to the ideal of human unity and finding ones spiritual path. I reached the Matri mandir but could not go inside(One should take permission a week ahead for entering it). One could see it from a view point. I settled there for an hour peacefully.
Then i started towards Auro Beach, which seems like a secluded one. There are some resorts near to that. Many foreigners live in Auroville. So one can find a number of hotels of different cuisines. I came back to Pondicherry. I rested for a few hours.Then i went to the Notre Dame Des Anges church.
I went to a crafts fair near the War memorial. Opposite to that is a place where a community of shops selling chats,snacks and fast-foods.One shouldn’t miss the Kulfi at Ponlait dairy nearby.I proceeded towards the beach and enjoyed the waves cuddling with the coast playfully. I had my food in Shawarma spot,Goubert Avenue and it pleased my taste buds.I also visited the Ambedkar Manimandapam.
I came back and slept early anticipating to wake up for the sunrise. I woke up after 6 and missed the sunrise.But I enjoyed the morning walk on the beach road.Motor vehicles are restricted from evening to morning to facilitate the pedestrians enjoying the beach and the walk.
I had my breakfast in my hotel itself( which was complementary) and it was good. I went to Aurobindo ashram.There is a tranquil place for meditation and i meditated for sometime in peace. There is a good collection of books available which are sold.Then i rented a bicycle again and went to museum. Unfortunately it was closed since it was a Sunday. I then went to basilica of sacred heart of Jesus. From there i went to the Botanical Gardens. I enjoyed the ride in toy train. But it was a small one.
I spent my afternoon in Bharathi park resting and reading. In the evening i moved towards the Promenade. It was fascinating to see a orchestra of police performing near the Gandhi statue on the Rock beach. Then a weekly cultural program was being organised by Department of Tourism & Department of Arts&Culture to encourage the local talents. Then i set-off to Bangalore from a peaceful place. Hope i visit the place again.
