A South Indian Town with a French Heart Pondicherry Day Tour

Places – Pondicherry

Trip Duration – 1 day | Grade – Day Tour  |
Accommodation – Nil
Day Excursion Duration – 8 Hours | Category – Deluxe,Premium,Luxury

ENQUIRE NOW TO GET THE BEST DISCOUNTED TOUR COST

ITINERARY

Pick up from Airport/Hotel transfers to Pondicherry by A/c Vehicle & English speaking chauffeur for the most popular day tour.

Pondicherry is a South Indian town with a French heart. The boulevards, long winding roads and virgin beaches ensure Pondicherry is free from unwanted sights and sounds. It is most definitely the best relaxation destination of South India. The peace and calm of the city has even led to the rise of the Aurobindo Ashram. This Ashram is frequented by countless people in search of Nirvana.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French woman known as The Mother, this Ashram propounds spiritual beliefs that are a symbiosis of yoga and modern life. After Aurobindo’s death spiritual authority passed on to the Mother, who passed away in 1973. Located on Rue de la Marine, it is one of the most well-known and beautiful ashrams you will find to communicate with the universal energy within you. A constant flow of visitors file through the main ashram building which has the flower-festooned Samadhi (a tomb venerated as a shrine) of Aurobindo and The Mother in the central courtyard, where devotees gather and try to find the answers to peace. Opposite the main building, one can attend the enlightening lectures and philosophical talks that promise to enrich your life.

Auroville

Auroville or the City of Dawn is an abode of peace and love. The idea was to build a city on the basis of human understanding and love. In the centre is a meditation room with a glass globe that focuses suns radiant energy on it. The globe is used as an assist for visual focus. Enter Auroville and you know why it brings peace to both you and the world around.

Pondicherry Museum

This museum housed in an interesting old colonial building, features a well-presented collection, including ancient sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties, fine bronzes, coins and an archaeological display. There is a striking collection of French colonial paraphernalia which includes a 19th century pousse(a rickshaw except the passenger would be pushed along), a horse-drawn carriage, colonial furniture, an antique grandfather clock and a bed slept in by a peripatetic Dupleix, the colony’s most notorious governor. The bronze gallery displays the majestic images of Gods and Goddesses together with a wide collection of bright and beautiful temple lamps; used by royalty themselves. Pre-Christian relics like the remnants of Greek and Roman jars, pieces from the Tsung Periods in China and beads made from glass and precious stones were carefully excavated from the Arikamedu site, just south of Pondicherry. The museum has a different display in every corner; they range from fossils to shells and even the most exquisite French designs.

Beaches

Any trip to Pondicherry would be incomplete without a visit to its beaches. The Promenade Beach is the pride of Pondicherry and is ideal for those relaxing solitary walks. The Paradise Beach, a serene and calm spot is located 8 kilometres away. Finally, Auroville Beach with its shallow sapphire waters and small waves make it an ideal place to swim. Beaches in Pondicherry, with their serene surroundings, are an ideal place to laze away for the entire day.

Churches and Temples

Pondy has several churches built by French missionaries which contribute greatly to the city’s Mediterranean flair. The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, completed in 1791, shared its breathtaking medieval architecture with many of the Jesuit constructions of that time. The Sacred Heart Church is an impressive sight with its Gothic architecture, stained glass and striking brown and white colours. The mellow pink-and-cream Notre Dame de Anges built in 1858 looks sublime in the late afternoon light thanks to its smooth limestone interior, made by using eggshells in the plaster.

Although Pondy is not often associated with temples, the Hindu faith is celebrated here with as much vigour as anywhere else. There are said to be more than 150 temples in Pondicherry and you will often stumble across the entrance to an almost hidden temple while wandering the streets. One of the most vibrant temples in the city is Sri Manakula Vinayagar temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Renovations have furnished its sanctum with the rarest Rajasthan marble and its Vimanaa tower over the sanctum with a shimmering gold roof. This small bustling temple tucked away on a backstreet just south of Sri Aurobindo ashram, contains more than 40 skilfully painted friezes.

Evening check out from the cab and drop at the Port / Airport/Hotel

Package Includes:

All transfers and sightseeing arrangements by A/c Vehicle as per itinerary.
Vehicle at your disposal as per the itinerary.
Services of well experienced driver.
Driver Allowance, toll, parking fee, Night halt charges, inter- state permit and govt. applicable service tax.
All applicable taxes.

Package Excludes:

Any other services or food which are not mentioned in the above “Includes” section.
Expense of personal nature such as tips, laundry, telephones, beverages etc
Airfares and Train ticket charges if any
Any entrance Fees / Activities charges unless specific in inclusion.

Note:
Confirmations of hotels & Entry ticket are subject to availability.

For Booking

Call Us : 91 9898 152 896 / 999 582 4937

Email Us : sales@keralaholidaymart.com