ITINERARY OF BEST TOURIST PLACES IN PONDICHERRY IN ONE DAY

Last Updated on April 25, 2022 by asoulwindow

ITINERARY OF BEST TOURIST PLACES IN PONDICHERRY IN ONE DAY!

I had been on a solo, budget trip to Pondicherry aka Puddhucherry in 2010. In fact, that was my first solo trip ever. In March 2017, I returned to Pondy, as it is lovingly called, in the capacity of a travel blogger.

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Gods on the walls of Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India!

On invitation by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), I explored Pondy again, albeit for a few hours. My last solo trip to Pondicherry was 2 days long, on the day of Indian festival Holi. It was a wonderful soul satisfying trip and inspired a travel dream in me which is in its 10th year right now.

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The Gods and Goddesses of Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

It was amusing to return to Pondicherry, this time on a luxurious trip. As we were pampered through the 7 nights and 8 days aboard the Golden Chariot, I realized how much travel has changed for me in a decade. Pondy however, remained more or less the way I saw it 10 years ago.

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The colorful streets of French quarters. Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

I started the Pondy journey along with other travel bloggers and real guests aboard the luxury train at Matri Mandir in Auroville.

Here is the itinerary of the best of tourist places in Pondicherry in under 8 hours!

11:00 a.m.- AUROVILLE AND MATRI MANDIR, PONDICHERRY

Our first stop was Auroville. The sprawling landscape buzzed with activity as we passed devotees, curious foreigners on bicycles and general domestic and international tourists. We managed to see the short film on the Ashram in the auditorium and also walked upto the Matri Mandir. Surrounded by well manicured gardens, the unique architecture of Matri Mandir stood out. We spent around 2 hours here which included a visit to the café and shop area and loo break.

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Matri Mandir at Auroville. Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

2: 00 p.m.- LUNCH AT PONDICHERRY PROMENADE HOTEL

We arrived at the Pondicherry promenade just in time for lunch. Just 15 kilometers (around 40 minutes) away from Auroville, the promenade is the most popular attraction of Pondicherry. We had our lunch at the Promenade Pondicherry which is located in the heart of French Pondicherry and bang opposite the promenade. I particularly liked the mezze platter from their buffet. Rest of the food was passable. For a 5 star property I expected better.  Of course I am a vegetarian so that limits my options. But I love restaurants which value its vegetarian guests as much as the carnivorous variety.

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Pondicherry Promenade Hotel has al frecsco dining too. It’s empty because it is hot and humid in noon. Al fresco here is more suited for evenings. Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

3:00 p.m. –SRI AURBINDO ASHRAM AND THE FRENCH QUARTERS OF PONDICHERRY

We spent the next 2.5 hours exploring the French quarters of Pondicherry. Starting from the Bharathi Park, which is right behind the Promenade Pondicherry Hotel, we arrived at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in one of the quaint streets of French Pondicherry. It’s a great place to meditate but since we had less time on hand all we could manage was a quick visit.

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Bharathi Park. French quarters. Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

4:30 p.m.: MANAKULA VINAYAGAR TEMPLE, PONDICHERRY

Next on our agenda was ManakulaVinayagar Temple. It is a very popular temple. I spent some time here admiring the superb interiors of the temple. The next one hour was spent in leisurely strolling around the colorful streets on Pondicherry, often posing in front of the colorful walls of the homes of old French quarters. One of our friends almost bought the colorful Thanjavur dolls which a woman was selling on the streets!

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Manakula Vinayagar temple. French quarters. Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

5: 30 p.m.- EVENING BY THE BREEZY PROMENADE OF PONDICHERRY!

After finishing visiting the French quarters of Pondicherry in a loop, it was time for us to enjoy the evening breeze by the long promenade of Pondicherry. The itinerary by the Golden Chariot team was designed intelligently. As you read above, the noon was spent in the leafy shades of the French Pondicherry, the evening was reserved for a stroll by the beach. It made our brief visit to Pondicherry pleasant. (and saved ourselves from harsh sun)

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The famous Mahatma Gandhi statue on the beach road. French quarters. Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

We posed in front of the famous Mahatma Gandhi Statue on the beach road of Pondicherry and walked on the sandy promenade. Still too full from a heavy lunch, we suppressed the temptation to binge eat the street food sold on carts.

We ended the day, by spending some quality time on the rocks, allowing the evening breeze to slap our faces gently. I switched off my mind from the chatter briefly, stared at the blue sea and promised myself that I will returned to my beloved Pondicherry and spend at least 2 days somewhere in future.

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Locals at the promenade. French quarters. Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

HOW TO REACH PONDICHERRY

Railway: Pondicherry has a well connected railway station. It is one of the stops of the only luxury train of South India, the Golden Chariot.

Flight: Pondicherry has an airport too. Check out the flight tickets to Pondicherry here.

WHERE TO STAY IN PONDICHERRY

Pondicherry has hotels in all budgets. Do check out these hotels in Pondicherry for some of the finest places to stay.

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Thanjavur dolls for sale. French quarters. Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

BEST TIME TO VISIT PONDICHERRY

Pondicherry can be very humid like other states of South India. However, the best time to visit Pondicherry is winter.

Winters in Pondicherry is from October to March – Pleasant and best time to visit Pondicherry.

Summers in Pondicherry is from April to June- Avoid this season as it’s hot and humid. Temperatures can soar upto 40 degree Celsius.

Monsoon in Pondicherry is from July to September- It’s rainy season. Personally, I enjoy traveling in rains. The rains in Pondy are sporadic.

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Me in the French quarters. Pondicherry aka Puducherry. Incredible India! 

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Me by the promenade of Pondicherry. Pic by Ami Bhat

43 thoughts on “ITINERARY OF BEST TOURIST PLACES IN PONDICHERRY IN ONE DAY”

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  5. Looks like a beautiful place to visit. I love the variety of architecture and artwork that can be enjoyed. Definitely on my list of future places to visit!

  6. I feel like every single place here carries its own religious meaning, which also attracts me deeply. I am grateful you provided such a detailed itinerary. I will take it as top recommendations.

  7. Wow.. so much in 8 hours…I had planned a trip a couple of years ago but the floods had hit Chennai around that time and we had to cancel… After reading this I’m surely tempted to plan again 🙂

  8. This place offers diverse attractions to visitors. A must visit place for travellers. Your post gave an amazing view to the place.

  9. Awesome place, we have been thinking to give puducherry a visit to understand its culture, people, and love its beaches. Thanks you got me versed with it.

  10. I have always wanted to visit Pondicherry but every time the plan got canceled due to some or the other reasons. Your post has once again pushed me to make a plan to visit this beautiful place and this time before March.

  11. This is the first time I’ve heard about Pondicherry but I’m really impressed by its traditional and classic beauty. I’m glad that you had great itinerary. Thanks for your sharing.

  12. I just love this blog how beautifully have explained ur travel … I feel i was in pondi myself … 👏🏻 Will definitely plan my trip soon

  13. I don’t really pay much attention to India so this is like a whole new world to me! If I ever visit India I guess I’ll follow your itinerary – so detailed, so helpful, so well-organised and so interesting! Thanks a lot for this!

  14. You have managed to see a lot of things in only 8 hours in Pondicherry. The evening walk on the promenade sounds lovely and a great way of ending a busy day. The Manakula Vinayagar Temple looks very pretty, I like all the colorful statues.

  15. It must have felt incredible to be back in Pondy after all those years! And pretty special too as it was your 1st solo trip! 🙂
    To be honest, this is my first time to hear about Pondy, but it looks great and pretty interesting… The Matri Mandir alone is a sight to behold…Such a unique structure indeed!

  16. Really great itinerary! I love that you’ve included an honest recommendation of the best seasons to travel to Pondy. So many itineraries simply say that it’s always a great season. I think I could spend the full 8 hours simply on the promenade. But, there’s clearly so much more to do!

  17. Really great itinerary! I love that you’ve included an honest recommendation of the best seasons to travel to Pondy. So many itineraries simply say that it’s always a great season. I think I could spend the full 8 hours simply on the promenade. But, there’s clearly so much more to do!

  18. I love your pictures! Unfortunately I never made it to Pondicherry when I lived in India for a few months but I have heard many great stories and definitely hope to be able to visit at some point.

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