Stated below are some of the must visit places at Pondicherry:
Promenade Beach
The 1.5 km. long stretch is a wonderful place to relax at. Cool breeze and calm atmosphere dominate the Pondicherry Beach which is dotted with many historic monuments. Paradise Beach, Serenity Beach and Auroville Beach are equally popular in the city.
Auroville
Popularly called the universal town with religious and cultural tolerance, the township is well known for its Peace Area, Cultural Zone, Green Belt and Matrimandir, a huge spherical structure surrounded by a beautiful garden and offering pleasant atmosphere for yoga and meditation.
Churches
Pondicherry is home to many popular churches, including Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Church of Capuchins, The Church of Lady of Angels and many more.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is known for its wonderful architecture and sculpted pillars. Other Hindu temples that are must visit places at Pondicherry include Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple, Kanniga Parameswari Temple, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple and Vedhapureeswarar Temple.
Botanical Garden
Constructed in the noteworthy French style, the garden houses exotic plant species from all corners of the world and is also popular for its musical fountain and evening shows. Bharathi Park and Ousteri Lake Wetland (a paradise for bird-watching) are other similar places.
Pondicherry Museum
An interesting place with exhibits like stone and bronze sculptures, archaeological findings and artefacts. Jawahar Toy Museum, Bharathidasan Museum, Bharathi Museum, Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum and Children’s Museum can also be visited.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Gandhi Statue, Dupleix Statue, French War Memorial and mosques like Meeran Mosque and Kuthbha Mosque are among other attractions. Located near to the city are some worthwhile attractions like the archaeological site of Arikamedhu and Chunnambar (a must-visit place known for backwaters, boat house and beach sports). Fishing, boating, diving and massage are the popular activities one can enjoy in the city. Visiting Pondicherry during festivals like International Yoga Festival, Villianur Temple Car Festival, Bastille Day and Festival of Pondicherry can add to the experience.
