Top 5 Places to Visit in Pondicherry in One Day
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If you ever go visiting the southern states of India, chances are you will be directed towards Pondicherry sooner or later. The beautiful city of Pondicherry has a history unlike any other destination in India. It was colonised by the French in centuries past and so, it retains some of the culture and aesthetics of its colonizers. You will find this flavor frequently in many buildings and structures in Pondicherry.
Now, there are plenty places to visit in Pondicherry in one day. Covering all of these in one day can be tiring, so, you need to prioritise and stick with the most popular before moving on to anything else. Here is a checklist of the most important tourist spots in Pondicherry that you must visit. Have a look and be sure to check them off as you go about your day.
1. Auroville
Auroville is an interesting example of all the virtues of community living. Based around the principles of Sir Aurobindo, the community comprises people of varied nationalities and is effectively self-sustaining. Other than this, Auroville is also home to the Matrimandir, a giant golden ball-like structure, which is surrounded by an open space lawn called Peace. For most visitors, Auroville is a sublime experience and a vision of what the world could become if every person was allowed the human dignity and compassion they deserve.
2. French War Memorial
Bearing testimony to the strong French roots of Pondicherry, the French War Memorial is one of the most well-known monuments in the city. It was constructed in 1971 to pay tribute to the French soldiers who died in the First World War. On special occasions like Bastille Day, this monument is lit up and attracts quite a crowd year after year. Even on regular days, the monument is a marvel to behold and you can always find tourists around it.
3. Botanical Garden and Aquarium
If carefully curated grounds and natural aesthetics are your thing, then Pondicherry’s botanical gardens will give more than a few walks to remember. This beautiful spot is over 200 years old and was first created by the French when they arrived on the beaches of Pondicherry. Over the subsequent decades, the spot grew to what it is today. At present, it enjoys tremendous popularity with tourists and locals alike. This is one of the best places to visit in Pondicherry in one day.
4. Chunnambar
Chunnabar can most easily be described as a getaway from the mundanity of daily life. It works the same way for tourists as well. If you have had your fill of the cultivated sights and sounds of Pondicherry, then you should pay this place a visit. The near pristine and natural surroundings work like a rejuvenating spell on people. You can trek or boat and take in the wonderful surroundings. You can even take a special cruise that will take you further out to sea and show you the famous dolphins found in the waters there.
5. Promenade
Of course, we were going to talk about the Promenade here. It is one of the biggest highlights of Pondicherry. However, it is not what you might be expecting. Unlike Promenades in commercialised cities across southern India, the Pondicherry promenade retains its origins. You can always find locals and tourists taking an evening stroll along the water, soaking in the gentle sea breeze. You might even fancy a dip in the water while the sun is up. If you do that then we guarantee you will be sleeping like a baby that night!
Conclusion
These are only five of the many prominent places to visit in Pondicherry in one day. If you plan to stay there for more than a day, then you might be able to cover more attractions this town offers. However, you will need a good place to stay to have a great experience. For that, we recommend you check out the list of some of the top hotels in this city.
Cleartrip offers a large number of Pondicherry hotels for online booking. Know the wondrous splendor of Ocean Spray’s 5 -star hospitality, experience authentic Pondicherry in a unique way at Hotel Atithi, enjoy the grand feeling of living the good life at the Le Royal Park, admire the French-style décor of The Promenade Pondicherry, soak in the plush setting at the Anandha Inn Pondicherry – the choices are endless.
While you are going through our list of the most illustrious hotels in Pondicherry, do remember to check for seasonal discounts, rebates and other complementary bonuses that might be on offer. If you are unsure which hotel to choose, then simply read through the reviews to get a good idea of the best hotels in Pondicherry and what you can expect. This will help you make a right decision!
