Pondicherry

Last October I took a solo trip to pondicherry.

Why pondicherry? Pondicherry was always there in my mind because I like colourful places aur Goa ke liye kabhi permission nahi milne wali thi. It was an impromptu plan. Decided I wanted to visit this Place, asked my parents and just went there.

I took a flight from pune to chennai. From chennai you have to take a bus from koyambedu bus stop which is easily connected via metro from the airport. From chennai it took 4 Hours to reach Pondicherry. The first day was kinda hectic due to flight & bus travel.

On day 2 I decided to explore a French colony. I went to a famous cafe

cafe des arts but there was a half an hour waiting so I started roaming around. Pondicherry is a very colourful town. Felt very pleasant because not only with the colourful doors, bungalows but also there are many trees which gives you a delightful feel. My half day went to the French colony. After that I decided to go to Paradise beach. Paradise beach was comparatively less crowded than other beaches.

Visit paradise beach in the afternoon as you don't get any ola or uber while returning in the evening. If you have a 2 wheeler then it is convenient. I didn't get any ola or auto. I walked 3 kms and after that I finally got one auto. So after that I went to White Town for dinner. It was 6 oclock and dinner starts there at 7 oclock. So I took a walk in those colourful lanes. I do enjoy walking at night. The world’s more to my liking then,not so loud,not so fast,not so crowded and a good deal more mysterious. After that, I ate some salad at a very calm rooftop restaurant and headed back to the hotel.

Oh one thing I forgot to tell you guys. DON'T TRAVEL ON LONG WEEKENDS. Just don't. I travelled on a long weekend that too after covid 2nd wave and I haven’t got any two wheeler on rent. So my budget collapsed because due to the heat I mostly travelled by cab or auto to places.

Third day was my personal favourite of the entire trip. This day I went to Auroville. I stayed at Woodpackers Hostel.You can hire 2 wheeler on rent for a day.There is a small shop Kavitha Store while entering Auroville where you can find 2 wheeler.(Tip -1 lit petrol is enough for a day) Auroville is the place where I found peace, solitude and sereneness. I am completely in awe of this place and the reason for that is quite simple - Auroville combines nature with a true sense of human unity.

Matrimandir is a true architectural masterpiece. This is not a place dedicated to People of a particular religion, but is in fact a gold plated dome of spirituality. You can visit the Visitor's Centre and Matri Mandir viewing point. Timings are Monday to Saturday 9 am to 4:30 pm and on Sunday only 9 am to 1:30 pm.Due to covid inner chamber of the Matrimandir is still closed.In auroville, you must eat at Solar Kitchen. There are other eateries also that too at a much cheaper rate and tasty food. I will always choose Auroville over Pondicherry.My suggestion is stay at Auroville and roam pondicherry.

Pondicherry is crowded with shops, malls, and cafes but in Auroville there is silence, fresh breeze and meditation. My evening was spent at sweet roadside cafe yashi's. Must try brownie there. For Dinner i went to the famous Tanto’s pizza. It's kinda a busy place. But their pizza is so yumm. So finally after my dinner I went to my hostel.On next day with the good memories, fresh air, so much positivity, lots of photos, videos, and some new friends, I headed back to the airport with a wide smile on my face. I did it!! Another Successful Trip.

Let's see some quick recommendation for,

Places to stay (Hotels)

3 / 4 Star hotels- Hotel Seasons, Abirami Residency, Shenbaga, Accord

5 star hotels- Le Pondy, Palais de Mahe, Cours Chabrol

Hostel- Micasa, Woodpackers (Auroville)

The 03 Nights 04 Days trip cost me around 10k /12k including Flights.

As I am budget traveller it was in my budget

My flights cost me around 5k.

1. Must visit cafes in

Pondicherry: Coromandel cafe, Cafe des arts

Auroville- Yashi’s, Tanto's.

Tips:

1.Must carry a cap, sunscreen and goggles.

2.Don’t do any hotel or hostel booking from booking . com. Please check in advance if you have final confirmation from your hotel or hostel.

Hope this article will help you to plan your trip. If you want any other information feel free to DM me on Instagram. Until next time! Happy Travelling!