Pondicherry is a beautiful place with its unique style of architecture and culture. The city officially gained independence in1964 from the French. but you can still spot the remnants of French culture here. The old Bougainvillea-draped French-style houses, churches, and some newly built French-style shops, and bright coloured cafes, make Pondicherry exceptional.
Here are the best places that you should visit while staying in Pondicherry-
Paradise Beach
Being a coastal city, Pondicherry has a lot of beaches worth visiting. The best beach to visit there is Paradise Beach. It is a very peaceful place, located at Chunnambar along the Cuddalore road. It is surrounded by thick mangrove forests, which make the backwaters appear green. It is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway in Pondicherry.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, located on rue de la Marine, is one of the most important ashrams in India. It was founded by the renowned spiritual philosopher Rishi Sri Aurobindo in 1926, after a major spiritual realisation. The ashram has beautiful libraries, and also organises various activities for people. This place is a must visit for people with spiritual inclination.
Auroville
Auroville, the city of dawn, is a futuristic township founded by Mira Alfassa, a spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. This ashram was built with an intention of bringing people from all walks of life together, without any bias. The huge golden globe-like structure at the centre of Auroville. is the Matrimandir, a place for meditation. While building this ashram, soils from 124 countries were brought and mixed and put in an urn which now is placed at the meditation centre.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Basilica is one of the famous pilgrimage spots for Christians. It is a beautiful church known for its elegant Gothic architecture. It has glass pictures of 28 saints, and many other glass panels that show the life of Jesus Christ. It is a big tourist attraction of Pondicherry.
The French War Memorial
Located at Goubert Avenue, this war memorial is dedicated to the French Indians who died for the country during the First World War. Many tourists visit this site, and on every July 14, on the occasion of Bastille Day (French National Day), the memorial is decorated with lights and locals and tourists gather here to pay their respect.
Source: Timesofindia
