GOC Holidaymaker Holidays to Pondicherry, Puducherry, South India Holidays
PONDICHERRY was French until 1954, and retains much of its Colonial architecture. Some 150 km South of Chennai, it is a good centre for touring the World Heritage sites of Mamallapuram and Thanjavour (Tanjore), and other historic sites such as Gingee (with its twin forts) and Kanchipuram (with several temples).
Nearby is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where meditation takes place. Auroville a few km away, is the "City of the Dawn", a community for those seeking an alternative lifestyle, or simply an interesting place for an excellent vegetarian lunch. There are good hotels along the promenade, and in some of the heritage buildings.
A feature of Pondicherrry is the good food, which is a result of the long French experience.
Pondicherry has a promenade along the sea front, which is very popular in the evenings, when the breeze strikes up. There are some good hotels overlooking the promenade. Just outside the town there are some very pleasant beach resorts, including Kailash Beach.
Pondicherry has several interesting churches and the cathedral to visit. The Jesuit Cathedral dates from 1691. The Pink Church of Our Lady of the Angels, dates from 1855, and has several interesting paintings. The Gothic Sacred Heart church has fine stained glass windows.
There is a Museum, with exhibits varying from the prehistoric sites, Roman remains, and some very curious artifacts from the French times, including the 4-poster bed of the French Governor. Outside there is a collection of statues of Budda and the Hindu gods. Shopping for antiques and books in Pondicherry is excellent.
Nearby is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where meditation takes place. Auroville a few km away, is the "City of the Dawn", a community for those seeking an alternative lifestyle, or simply an interesting place for an excellent vegetarian lunch. There are good hotels along the promenade, and in some of the heritage buildings.
A feature of Pondicherrry is the good food, which is a result of the long French experience.
PONDICHERRY BEACHES
Pondicherry has a promenade along the sea front, which is very popular in the evenings, when the breeze strikes up. There are some good hotels overlooking the promenade. Just outside the town there are some very pleasant beach resorts, including Kailash Beach.
PONDICHERRY CHURCHES
Pondicherry has several interesting churches and the cathedral to visit. The Jesuit Cathedral dates from 1691. The Pink Church of Our Lady of the Angels, dates from 1855, and has several interesting paintings. The Gothic Sacred Heart church has fine stained glass windows.
PONDICHERRY MUSEUM
There is a Museum, with exhibits varying from the prehistoric sites, Roman remains, and some very curious artifacts from the French times, including the 4-poster bed of the French Governor. Outside there is a collection of statues of Budda and the Hindu gods. Shopping for antiques and books in Pondicherry is excellent.