Pondicherry is the good life, laid back, sunny and sandy, good food, good

alcohol. My favourtite part of the city are the cobblestoned streets of the
French quarter, theyre just Oh! So French! right in the middle of the Tamil
hinterlands. Just walking these streets tops my list of things to do in
Pondicherry. The following is a list of the remaining 9 fun Pondicherry things
to do in no particular order. Activities in Pondicherry are all about chilling out
and relaxing!

1 . EM BRA CE PONDY S CULT URA L DI V ERSI TY

Pondicherry is indeed a unique and strangely complementing melange of

French and Tamil sensitivities, the wide cobblestoned streets leading to the
bustling bazaars so typical of Southern India. Theres complete religious
harmony too with shrines like Varadaraja Perumal in the Hindu Quarter, the
Immaculate Conception Cathedral in the Christian Quarter and Khutbah and
Meeran mosques in the Muslim Quarter. And of course you can always
choose to meditate in silence in the leafy courtyard of Aurobindo Ashram.

2 . S OA K UP A LL THE FRENCH- I- NE SS
The church of Notre Dame des Anges (the only one that has mass in three
languages Tamil, French & English), the marble statue of Jeanne d Arc in
front and the tomb of French governor Marquis de Bussy in an adjacent
cemetery, garden concerts at the Alliance Francaises Maison Colombani
Caf de Flore; enjoy all things French! Get a French culture booster shot at
Alliance Francaise and Institut Francais de Pondicherry (IFP).

3 . TA K E A BOAT RI D E AT CHUN NA M BA R
7kms south of on Cuddalore road are the serene backwaters of Chunnambar.
Spend a lazy afternoon boating or go for a sea cruise and spot dolphins. You
could also pack a hamper, speed boat to Paradise Beach and make a nice
picnic of the day.

4 . G ET B LESSED BY A N ELEPHA NT
Hand a coin to Lakshmi, the resident elephant at the Manakula Vinayagar
temple, and youll get her blessings; a thump from her trunk on your head.
Having survived attempts by French missionaries to pull it down, the popular
500 year old shrine is dedicated to the elephant-headed god, Vinyagar.

5 . I ND ULG E I N FRA NCO -TA MI L CUI SI NE AT A RESTAURA NT

WI T H NO NA ME
Maison Perumal is a restored Chettiar mansion that is now a resort. But like
in a house, the rooms are not numbered or named and the restaurant too
has no name. Gorge on delectable seafood platters amidst brass ooralis,
sepia photos and coloured glass window panes filtering the sun in rainbow
colours.

6 . TA K E I N A BRE ATH OF FRES H AI R AT BHA R ATHI PA RK

A treasure trove of 900 exotic plants, an aquarium, a toy train and a musical
fountain, this is the perfect place for an evening walk. In the centre stands
the white Aayi Mandapam. The park is centrally located at the site of the
demolished Fort Louis and military parade ground.

7 . LEA R N SOMET HI NG NE W AT AUR OV I L LE

The inhabitants of Auroville are able to sustain themselves with the aid of the
craft, Auroville products are world renowned. You can learn from them the
craft of making different items like handmade paper (Auroville Papers),
indigo-dyed clothing (The Colours of Nature), incense manufacture (Encens
dAuroville) and bodycare (Maroma Spa). All processes here are environment
friendly and energy-efficient.

8 . TA K E A HI STORY LESSON AT PONDI CHE RRY MU SEUM

Once upon a time Pondicherry was a flourishing port town called Poduke and
there was a Roman trading settlement at Arikamedu. The century old Law
Building, erstwhile residence of the French Administrator, displays Roman
pottery and Megalithic burial urns. There is a transport gallery with
palanquins, carts and the Pousse Pousse, a vehicle pushed from the rear and
steered by a rider, on display. Other pieces of interest include period
furniture like tte--ttes (S-shaped sofas), comptoirs, escritoires (writing
tables and desks) and the cot used by French Governor Dupleix (1742-1754),
whose bust adorns the museum.

9 . G O CA F HOPPI NG
The place is heavily influenced and what is French culture without cafs?
Baguettes and croissants, French pastry and great coffee or wine; most
importantly superb ambience! There are cafs that have live music some
evenings too, try out as many different ones as you can!

1 0. SHOPPPPPII I I NG
The most amazing artsy craftsy environment friendly stuff handmade
paper, lampshades, jewellery, ethnic Indian clothing, trinkets, paintings,
candles, all this and more youll find in the Auroville store. The Hidesign store
in Pondy is pretty amazing too. On the streets, youll find amazing cotton
kurtas and skirts and pyjamas at bargain prices.
Thats the best of Pondicherry for you!