This is the 5th destination of my south India Travel, to read about previous destinations ,click here, here, here and here.
Pondicherry had been calling me for a long time…and I was most eager to visit this cute town on my South India tour…..so my excitement was palpable , when I boarded the overnight sleeper bus from my last destination to reach Pondicherry in the early hours of the morning…
…and my enthusiasm and excitement was greeted by this lovely sunrise….which was to be one of the many wonderful experiences of Pondicherry!!

Pondicherry is located in the Coromandel Coast facing the Bay of Bengal and is a former french colony. It also happens to be the spiritual home of Sri Aurobindo and Mother. This distinct mix of geography, history and spiritualism makes pondicherry one of the most delightful destinations in South India.
Pondicherry feeds the soul, the stomach and the shopping mania with equal ease. Many people come here for many reasons…..I went there to relax…and found much much more….
A simple walk one the promeande beach and the beach road calms one’s mind and refreshes the soul..I took many walks both in the morning and evening of the two days I spent here(good thing that we took a hotel facing the beach in the french quarters!!)



A remarkable degree of French influence in Pondicherry exists to this date. Pondicherry was designed based on the French (originally Dutch) grid pattern and features neat sectors and perpendicular streets. The town is divided into two sections: the French Quarter and the Indian quarter . Many streets still retain their French names, and French style villas are a common sight.


Pondicherry has got a laidback feel to it, the people here are in no hurry and everyone is in a relaxed mood. In no time, one also gets into the calm mood and begins to enjoy this charming town and its various delights.


One of my most spiritually enriching experiences was when I visited Auroville. I could actually feel the presence of ‘Mother’ here. The calm surroundings, the gentle breeze and the whole vibe of this township made me want to stay there and not come back…and I have made a resolution to come here and stay for a much longer duration….lets see…!!



Pondicherry is also a foodie’s heaven with a wonderful range of creole, French and continental cuisines available here. Though we samples many things here at the various eateries…what remains in my taste buds lingering still is the sinfully yumm hot chocolate served with dark chocolate spoon and chocolate shavings at Choco La(a stand alone patisserie) , the dark chocolate spoon and shavings melt into the hot chocolate while one stirs ….it makes for heavenly experience to drink this concoction!!


And for a shopaholic, this place is pure nirvana…with so many eclectic options and out of the box stuff!!!…..I shopped quite a lot here but taking no names of the places….its a lot of wonderful discoveries here so if you guys do go there, make your own.(but yeah if anyone is super interested to know, can drop me an email..ill sure to tell you some!!)
The 2 days I spent here went too fast and I wanted to stay some more…..but whatever time I spent here was utterly totally relaxing and enriching for my body and soul!!!
P.S. I have also written an article series on my south india tour for a travel blog, if you are interested in tour details, you can read here.
Thank you for the sharing the blog on the beautiful Pondicherry with wonderful photos. As we know it is a Union Territory in southern India. The history of the City of Pondicherry is recorded only after the arrival of Dutch, Portuguese, British and French colonialists. There exists many places to visit in Pondicherry which still preserve much of the colonial ambiance. Pondicherry is surely one of the choicest holiday destinations in South India.
Thanks for sharing this nice blog…
Places to See in Pondicherry
Hi there
Fantastic pictures. I too believe that pictures perfectly describe the beauty of Pondicherry. Thanks for sharing your experience. Here is another good read around Pondicherry which I am sure you will find fascinating http://www.myguesthouse.com/chaturyatri/the-french-connection-pondicherry/
Wow .. nice nice pic of the hot chocolate.. Vicarious pleasure!
nice!!!!!!!!!!love the article and the pics…i can't wait to get there…..just joined up,i'm your 210th follower:)
Lovely shots, I wish I can go there asap! Even in my 4 years in TamilNadu, I never saw this gem! But enjoyed reading it through your blog!
LOVELY POST.PICTURES ARE BREATHTAKING.KEEP IT UP:)
What a gorgeous sunset on top!
Oh wow! Wow! I want to go to pondi now!! Now!! So peaceful, serene…. Sigh! What stunning beaches and if there is shopping too! Nothing like it!
hullo! the choc looks so lovely! and i am back on blogspot 😀
Amazing place to be..! Makes us want to go there and shoot!
great post shooting star!!
Beautiful place!!!! Makes one want to go and photoshoot there!!
Amazing post shooting star!
Its like-minded thought rise in everyone who visits Aurovile to stay there forever… and I too dream about it. Peace and consciousness enhances there to build strong spirit and relationship with nature and human. Seems u had a quite relaxing tour in Pondicherry. The photos are inviting to visit the place again, which was affected badly by the Thane cyclone. Think u visited Pondicherry before the cyclone.
I loved your description about the beautiful city of Pondicherry and the gorgeous photos…! I have not yet been there… hope I will be able to make it sometime this year.
I love the photos! 🙂 I want to travel to India!
teaandbubbly.blogspot.com
beautiful photos
thanks for visiting my blog, hope you return soon 😉
I make sure to visit Pondi every trip i make down to home. Although i have been a regular at the ashram since 1990, have never visited Auroville. Must make a note to self to visit this yr. Great pix
hey lovely pics!!
thank you also for your amazing comment in my blog and for following me!! followed you back!!
http://citygirltoday.blogspot.com
I checked your blog and I like it!
Visit my blog, if u want we can follow each other!
have a great Monday!
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Such gorgeous pictures! Love those beautiful beaches. xo style, she wrote
What a beautiful place! Great pictures!
Beautiful post & great shots.Nice to visit your blog.
beautiful and informative post on puduchery…
photos are beautifully captured…
thanks for sharing
Great pics, the beach ones are my favorites!!:) What to do, I'm summer kid!:D
kisses
Jelena
glamfabchameleon.blogspot.com
Awesome shots! One of the main reasons why I love Pondi is because of the french-style streets and restaurants you find there.. The beaches are great too!
♥ http://www.thegirlatfirstavenue.com
These photos are beautiful, I want to be there!!
xx
Be Frassy
Beautiful shots of historic city.
This place does look great. I wouldn't expect to see such a well preserved French quarter in India, but I've never been there before. Not the image that is called to mind.
7% Solution
Wonderfull, love it.
Pondy is an awesome place to enjoy and relax .
Such beautiful imagery and all that talk about food is making me hungry!
Thanks for stopping by!
x.o.x.o
Beautiful photographs and was great to discover your blog.
Many thanks for visiting me and I look forward to coming back again.
Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn
These photos are amazing!
I love your blog dear, keep posting!
xxx
wow! well written.
Wow…I love pondicherry and spl. Auroville…So serene and peaceful. I loved shopping there too. You captured it beautifully.
♡ StylishByNature.com
super post..super fotos…:)
I have always loved Pondi. We visited Auroville, so calm and beautiful..! loved the way you write it..!
beautiful pictures!!!!
Thanks for dropping by my blog, hope to see you soon again
Cheers!!!
Ooh it's so beautiful there! 😀
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
haha! thanks for the heads up!
unfortunate for me that can't read the info further, think problem with blogger or my connection.
anyways, definitely a nice place to stay and unwind.
what lovely pictures! I wish to go there soon!
🙂
Love from Bindigasm
love this post and also your blog! It's so nice!!! I follow you!
Pass to my blog and if it likes you follow me too, I will be so glad 😀
kisses
http://francescagiusti.blogspot.com/
great photos! this sooooo makes me want to go on holiday now 🙁 wish i could go somewhere…
wonderful description. I have been wanting to go to pondicherry for ages. Will plan a trip soon…so inspired by your post 🙂
Gosh, these are such fabulous pictures that I'm in love with Pondicherry all over again!
Your post is truly enjoyable and makes one yearn to go visiting places.
I love this place. Lived there for almost 5 yrs and that's once place I would love to visit again and again and again.
BTW, you have also captured a friend of mine in those snaps. 🙂
Mind blowing photography…
picturebite.com
Beautiful place! Goes in my bucket list of places to visit! Awesome shots, many thanks for sharing 🙂
I loved the Auroville too.Yes,its so serene and lovely no!!! 🙂 And yes,I just fell for Choco La!! 🙂 A place to be…oh yeah!!! 🙂
I remember our whole family of 20 went and thronged to my cousin's studio apartment and God knows how …we managed sleeping there and on the terrace in the cool breeze..roaming around the awesome places..beach & everything! had a wow experience..my very first visit to pondy!! 🙂
I have heard great things about the place. Great pictures you have got here! 🙂
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I've been planning to visit Pondi with a friend of mine for three years! Can you believe it?And that hot chocolate thing…ahhh…I can literally feel my mouth watering!
Beautiful post about Pudussery. I did go there but it was something like passing through. In the light of your observations, I need to stay there for a couple of days to understand the French influence apart from the street names. Thank you.
Wow….these pictures are very nice…… very well done shooting star.
warm greetings, from Holland, Joop
My last visit to Pondicherry was way back in college. And I have been dying to go back!
Your pics brought back so many memories 🙂
Wonderful post. Love this place.
http://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com
Ah! Fantastic pics. Pondicherry looks like a fun place to visit – I like the French influence on the city, sets it apart.
And you mention it is a foodie's haven 🙂
Great post.
Love these photos. You did great capturing the essence of the place.
Daphne.
just love your post …very informative one 🙂
http://bongsbelleza.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/bongsbelleza
Want to got here once again. Lovely pictures.
This cup of hot chocolate makes me want to have a cuppa right now. Should I go scrape the dark chocolate bar right now? 🙂
what amazing shots you captured- it made things look so serene (and delicious) :)….really want to go here and experience some of what you experienced!
@mridula – thanks…its a makeover
@arabesque – if u read the text in the post, its not just french inspired…this place is a former french colony….for around 281 years!!!
Looks like a great destination for a relaxing holiday, not to forget the shopping:)
what a serene place this is.
sure wish I could visit this place sometime.
interesting to know that it's also a bit french inspired.
ps: lovely fotos you posted.
Lovely pictures so is this a new blog or just a makeover?
Sushmita, I too went to Pondicherry two years back and felt very peaceful there ! One could hear the sound of the sea all the time from our resort room -the sea was a walking distance from our room. Someday, I will put some photos in my blog!
You want me get on a plane and be there. Such a wonderful post, dear friend.
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Pondicherry ! Wow.An exciting place :)) Cool pics
@kirti mithun karla – yeah i did go to hidesign store and also to paradise beach!!!!
Hey ,loved the post .
Pondicherry is one my fav destination too and you have bfully explained the whole experience
Yes ,even i love to shop in pondicherry ….hopefully u did go to hidesign store and paradise beach as well :))
Beautiful place .And slurps to that hot chocolate drink .
Beautiful post.
Regards and best wishes
Lovely post.
what a serene place… and those trees are amazing…
looks very peaceful! No wonder you wish to come back for longer and if you can combine it with shopping-perfect!:)
Life and travelling
Cooking
calm place to enjoy time !