Wanderlust Tales : Exploring Puducherry

Posted by storiesbyankita November 11, 2017

Wanderlust Tales : Exploring Puducherry - Pondicherry

After the fabulous road trip, it was now time to be an explorer and unveil what the peaceful and quaint Puducherry had to offer.

For all the VITAMIN SEA and a laid-back holiday - this is your one-stop for all! 😍😎

One more place off my bucket list! ✌👀💓

Explore!

HOW TO GET HERE:
The taxi service was arranged by our resort - The Windflower resort & spa. It was a full day ride timed for about 7-8 hours.

We left around 9:00-ish in the morning and were back to our resort by 17:00-ish hail and hearty.

All of Pondicherry can be covered in 2 days with ease.😊

PLACES TO VISIT:

Paradise Beach

Just sit up by the shore and enjoy the calm crystal clear water of the Bay of Bengal. The Paradise Beach is said to be the most immaculate beaches of Pondicherry with its sandy shores - it is a place to be, to witness to early morning calm and the sunrise. 😍

It is also known as the Chunnambar - which has some exciting beach house rides. An hour ride could cost you about 150 - 250 bucks.

This was at at a stone's throw from our resort - and we spent plentiful of our time here. 😇

Early morning when we had set for sunrise gazing, we spotted a bunch of kids digging through the sand - eager when we went close, we noticed in their sack they were collecting crabs - they were crab hunting.

I just couldn't believe them, pulling out live crabs from the heap of sand. 😂 And lunch is sorted. 😀

Rock Beach

A beachfront just opposite the Secretariat building - it truly reminded me of the Queen's necklace in Mumbai.

With boulders setup across the shoreline to prevent the water from gushing in and the Gandhi Memorial gracing it - this one would make a perfect spot for an evening stroll. 💚

The Promenade Beach and Rock beach are set apart by about just 600 m or so.

The day we visited, there was probably warning of high tides - and we did spot policemen patrolling along the beach side to warn people to not get close to the boulders.

The area is called the White Town - and the surroundings and the locality in all, look quite upscale.

Gandhi Memorial

Located on a beachfront, the Gandhi Memorial was built by the famous sculptor Roy Choudhary - this is a truly landmark in Pondicherry.

It is surrounded by eight carved monolithic granite pillars which were brought from the Gingee Fort.

Standing at 4 m, it is the biggest statue of Gandhiji in Asia.

Stories have it, that there is a tunnel below the statue that leads all the way to the Gingee fort. But now it has been closed after reports of deaths. Apparently a lot many set out in search of the tunnel - and people lost their lives due to suffocation.😑

Sacred Heart Basilica Church

This Gothic style 100-year-old church with some rare stained glass paintings of the 28 saints who were related to the devotion of Sacred Heart of Jesus, is one of the churches, tourists visit often and is a famous pilgrimage site for Christians.

The red and white-bricked walls reminded me of my primary school days - the Sacred Heart School.

Visit to churches is a true reminiscent of many childhood days. 😊

Right at the entrance are inscribed these degrees:

"I will sanctify this place, for my heart is here."

Serenity Beach

The major attraction in this beach were these fishing boats which made up for a picturesque frame.

The beach was slightly more dirty than what I had expected - and who else to blame for than humans and animals too sadly.😬

The beach was scarce with people, with only a few folks enjoying the swim. You can collect a lot of seashells by the golden sand along the shore. 💙

So you can enjoy some secluded time with the twinkling waters of the Bay of Bengal - just laze around with the graphics giving you company. 😊

Farther at a distance, we noticed that there were rocks and boulders placed to keep the flow of water in control. 👍

Manakula Vinayagar Ganapathi Temple

Just at a distance of about 100 m from the Aurobindo Ashram, is this temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha - also among-st the popular and historical tourists destinations in Puducherry.

It is now known as the Manakula Vinayagar Temple - which translates to 'God near the pond of sand'.

The temple has a golden chariot which is made entirely from the contributions of the devotees. It weighs about 7.5 kg, and is used during Ganapati processions. 😊

Adorned with wall paintings depicting Ganesha's life and the beautifully architecture-d walls - I was totally left stunned. I have always had an admiration for the karigari done on the South Indian temples.

The strong vibes, the continuous chants which one would get and hear, as one enters the temple is absolute bliss - Ganapati Bappa Morya! 🙏

French Colony

You must take time to walk through these shaded walk ways which is where is said French still reside.

It was surprising when our cab guy told us that french people residing there, can purchase houses there.

The atypical color of the houses here, white and yellow, the arched windows and the streets are something you will necessarily see on every person's feed who has been to Pondicherry, and so on mine. 😁

They say it is part of the European world charm!!