A Visit to Pondicherry

Recently, i visited Pondicherry along with my cousin sister and niece. It was my first trip to Pondicherry and so i was excited. We stayed at the Grand Serenaa resorts and saw the places in Pondy. This photo narration is a view of places in Pondicherry by a first time visitor. 

We visited the Promenade beach both in the morning and at night. At night, it was beautiful to sit on the stones and see the waves lashing on the stones. You can see the moon rays fall on the sea. It was a pleasant combination of waves and moonlight. There is a Gandhi statue near the beach.

Promenade Beach

Gandhi Statue

We visited the Matri Mandir in Auroville. On the path to Matri Mandir there are banyan trees, plaques, sculptures, and green archways. 

En route to Matri Mandir

Banyan Tree

Entwined Trees

Archways

Matri Mandir

Silence Please

In the city we saw the Aurobindo Ashram which was a peaceful place full of beautiful flowers. A little far from the ashram, auto rickshawallas stand to take you on a tour around the city for a price. They have an album which shows the different places they can take you around to.

Rickshaws

Just for an experience we mounted a rickshaw and went to the Manakula Vinayagar Temple. The temple was a beautiful place with awesome sculptures, wall paintings, exquisite pillars, and chariots. 

Manakula Vinayagar Temple

Near the temple they were selling honey directly from the honey comb. 

Ponalit was the co-operative society for milk products and was similar to Aavin shops in Chennai.

Ponlait Milk Outlet

We visited a Farm Fresh outlet in the city. The Vegetariana pizza made of capsicum, onions, mushroom, spinach, olives, sweet corn, and garlic was yummylicious. The ingredients were sourced from Auroville. 

Farm Fresh Pizza

Grand Serenaa was a beautiful resort with a nice pool, gym, trees, and plants.

Grand Serenaa Resorts

We had dinner at the Promenade Restaurant near Promenade beach as we wanted to taste French cuisine. We ordered Coq au Vin, a chicken in wine dish. But the taste was bland. Above the prices of the food that we ate, they charged Rs.1000 extra.  

Coq Au Vin

In the boutiques Kalki and Mira near the visitor's center in Auroville, there was exquisite jewellery as shown below. 

Kalki Boutique neckwear

Between the two boutiques there was a cafe where we had a healthy grilled chicken with potato salad and other vegetables. 

Grilled Chicken with Potato Salad

Inside the visitor's centre, there were large picture posters, miniature of the Matri Mandir, plan of Auroville, and a book store. 

Miniature and cross-section of Matri Mandir

Plan

Two more places we explored was Banana Leaf restaurant and Richie Rich icecream outlet.

Banana Leaf restaurant had a peculiar light design on the roof which i captured. 

Banana Leaf Restaurant

Richy Rich Icecreams

So, it was a fruitful one day spent spread across two days. Hope to see many other places in my next visit to Pondy. Au Revoir! :)