Chennai to Pondicherry Weekend Holiday Packages

What to See

Plage Paradiso (Paradise Beach): This beach lies 8 kms from the town and is flanked by a quiet brook flowing on one side. In fact, the sands are ideal to pitch a tent and stay overnight.

Karaikal Beach: It offers splendid views of the sunrise from the shore. Alternatively, you can also canoe or kayak in it or join in for a session of angling.

Aurobindo Ashram: The defining feature of this town, this Ashram is a renowned yoga centre. The main building has the houses of Shri Aurobindo and The Mother (Mirra Alfassa, a French woman who was his most important disciple). The courtyard has their mortals remains preserved in a samadhi. The other places of interest in this Ashram are the International Education Centre, guest houses, libraries and the cottage industries.

Government Park: The Government Park is the centre of the older part of the town. The lush green environ has several government buildings situated around it including the Lt. Governor's Palace, the Legislative Assembly and Government Hospital. It also houses the Ashram Dining Room and the private club Cercle de Pondichery.

JIPMER: Abbreviated for Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research, this is the foremost and one of most prestigious medical institutions in the country.

Botanical Gardens: Located off the West Boulevard, these gardens house an amazing variety of exotic flowering plants from India and abroad. It also has an aquarium within, which has several species of rare fishes.

Pondicherry Museum: This museum has on display some fine antiques in archaeology, geology, sculpture and handicrafts.

Auroville: The foundation for Auroville was laid as part of an experiment to let people of different nationalities, religion and caste to live together. Today over 1,700 people from different countries live in the 40 settlements of Auroville. Hire bicycles to explore this village as it is too large to walk. Surrounded by lakes and gardens, the sphere shaped Matri Information Centre is the first stop here and is the centre for self-reflection. The Green Belt is a farm and orchard where organic architecture is practiced.

French Institute: A renowned French institute, it has separate sections on science, technology, ecology, cartography, Indian languages and culture. The Romain Rolland Library houses a collection of over 60,000 books, some of which are rare French volumes. The institute also conducts regular research in arts and sciences.

Chunnambar Water Sports Centre: It has the Boat House on the River Chunnambar where you can hire boats. The backwater and the lush landscape on both sides provide an ideal setting for an evening out.