Pondicherry is definitely not a Paris in India but it’s a culmination of Indian and French Cultures. It is undoubtedly one of the best places in the country for people to spend some peaceful yet refreshing time. It is said to be the quietest and the least crowded town in South India.
Tourists from across the world love to enjoy their holidays here. Being a union territory, it enjoys low taxes on alcoholic beverages which attract more tourists and natives alike. Pondicherry is a captivating blend of Indian and French cultures. It’s the French who ruled this place, years back, that let you witness French influence across the city. When it’s about Pondicherry, you’d be revisiting scenes from the Oscar Winning ‘Life of Pi’ which showcases Pondicherry at its natural best. And why not! Pondicherry is a beautiful land of backwaters, palm-fringed beaches, beach resorts, gardens, boulevards, and well constructed streets, again with a lot of French names.
There are multitudes of ashrams, spiritual shrines, scenic attractions, temples and museums that’ll let you have a wonderful holiday to Pondicherry. If you are confused on what do you do on your trip to Pondicherry, here are few attractions that you could consider on your visit.
Beaches
Do not miss the exhilarating sunsets on the Pondi beaches. There are some beautiful beaches that bejewel the banks of Bay of Bengal on the Coromandel Coast. Paradise Beach, Mahe Beach, Auroville Beach, Lighthouse beach, and the Serenity Beach are the most popular and enchanting beaches across Pondicherry.
Villianur
Situated close to Pondicherry, Villianur houses some breathtaking monuments like Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwar Temple, the Ezhai Mariamman Temple, St. Lourde’s Church, Varadaraja Perumal Temple and Swami Ram Paradesi Temple. These architectural attractions are sure to amaze you with their beauty.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pondicherry dedicated to Shri Aurobindo. The great revolutionary Sri Aurobindo established this Ashram in 1920. This memorial is a centre for learning and practicing yoga
Auroville 

Established in 1968, Auroville is also popularly known as the City of Dawn. It is a universal township where people from different parts of the world have settled in peace and harmony. There is also a meditation room here with sun’s radiant energy falling on it, due to the surrounding glass globe.
Temples and Churches of Pondicherry
Eglise de Sacre Coeur de Jesus, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception or Notre Dame de la Conception, Church of Capuchins, Our Lady of Angels are some of the churches worth visiting. Also, seek divine blessings at the Kamakshi Amman Temple, Singagiri Temple, Manakula Vinayakar Temple, Jumma Masjid and the Masthan Saheb Dargah.
Accommodation wouldn’t be a problem since there are a number of luxury as well budget hotels in Pondicherry. Tourists will have a variety to choose from when it’s about accommodation in Pondicherry. If you have ample time in your hand, you could also consider visiting nearby places like Kodaikanal, Bangalore, Madurai, Coimbatore and Kozhikode.
Written by Ginger Hotels – Ginger Hotels are one of the best budget hotels in India built around a unique concept that provides facilities to meet the key needs of today’s traveler, at surprisingly affordable rates.