Pondicherry

Pondicherry or Puducherry is a city, an urban agglomeration and a municipality in Pondicherry district in the Indian union
territory of Puducherry. It is affectionately known as Pondy, and has been officially known by the alternative name Puducherry since 2006.

Though very small, Pondicherry was the largest French colony in India. The city has a long and interesting history of
trade and war. There is a strong French influence in the city, especially in the old quarters, with Rues and Boulevards
lined with Mediterranean style houses and bakeries, although the city remains very much Indian. French is still
understood, and the whole city makes for rather pleasant mix of East and West. It is also known as The French Riviera of
the East (La Côte d’Azur de l’Est).

There are many places to visit in Pondicherry, including:
The Beach / Promenade
The French Quarter
Bharathi Park / Government Park
Churches – particularly Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus opposite Railway Station
Botanical garden
Chunnambar Boat House
Ousteri Lake
Paradise Beach – accessible from Chunnambar Boat House
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Auroville International City
Manakula Vinayagar Temple – temple elephant Laxmi is a joy to see
Villianur – St. Lourd Church (7Km from Pondicherry towards Villupuram)
Villianur Thirukameeswarar Temple
Auro Beach (Opposite to Auroville City)
Goubert market

The SITA Cultural Center is a Pondicherian association which offers a whole range of activities for tourists and
inhabitants of Pondicherry. Inspired by the cultural mix of Indian and French cultures, SITA Cultural Center conducts
Indian dance classes (Bollywood and Bharat Natyam) and also dances from other countries like Ballet, Tango or Hip Hop.
SITA Cultural Center also offers you the possibility of taking up Indian cooking classes, Circus classes, Kalaripayattu
(ancient martial art from Kerala), Bollywood singing classes or Voice Yoga to improve your voice techniques. You can also
participate in Tanjavur painting workshops, initiations to Ayurvedic massages or reflexology, discover Kolams and Mehendi
and enjoy fresh, funky and wealthy rides early in the morning at the same time, thanks to cycle tours. SITA Cultural
Center also proposes different types of massages for wealth and well-being.

You can also do some serious meditation at the Auroville, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, or going to Bharatanatyam performances that are often organized there by the Auroville Cultural Exchange in the local temples, or at major hotels.
You can go fishing in a Catamaran or while away your evenings at the Rocky Beach. You can also hire mopeds and go on long drives for the sandy beaches that dot the coast line.

You can also experience staying in a traditional ‘Parapachai’ house – an affectionate name given by connoisseurs to
traditional green colored houses.It is truly a first class experience.