Pristine beaches, spiritual retreat, multi-cultural and well-planned township reminiscent of French colonial rule… Pondy is your perfect weekend getaway Some places have the power to lure you back again and again. Pondicherry is one such place which is thankfully also closer to namma city. Natural beauty with blue waters on one side and greenery on the other, multi-cuisine restaurants, virgin beaches and cheap beer… for all this and more, Puducherry is definitely one helluva place, perfect for a weekend getaway. And the best thing is that being a small town, you don’t need a guide and can explore it on your own.

French influence Be it the architecture of the buildings or even the patterns of the streets, one can’t help but marvel at the colonial style. You can spend half a day admiring the many heritage buildings and monuments in Puducherry.

Hit the shores
Nothing like lazing around by the sea. The place has quite a few stunningly picturesque beaches. Take a sun bath while admiring the coconut palms on the bay.

Adventure sports
Pondy is also the place for those who love to try exciting stuff — yes, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing et al!

Getting around
Do away with taxis and autos. For a change, hire a bicycle to go round the small town. It’s not just cost effective, but eco-friendly too. And, it’s also the best way to take in the sights and sounds of the place.

Spiritual retreat
The union territory with its tranquil surroundings, quiet lanes and places like Maatrimandir and Aurobindo Ashram is a perfect escape for those seeking spiritual gratification.Another place for the spiritual soul is definitely the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

A foodie’s paradise
The town has an interesting amalgamation of food — sea food, organic food, Italian food — you name it and it’s there! On an average you should be able to survive with Rs 500 for a day.

Auroville
The City of Dawn is an experimental township in the making. Maatrimandir, a golden globe roofing a meditation hall, is one of the architectural wonders. You can opt to stay at the Auroville guest house or even homestays. Be at peace while trying out some organic delicacies.

Where to stay
Pondy offers innumerable accomodation options — hotels, homestays with kitchenette, cottages. You could either opt to stay by the sea or in the city limits where food is more accesible. Lodging is available for every budget, and in some cases, you can book online as well.

Don’t miss
1. Bharti and Bharthidasan
2. Memorial museum
3. Auroville
4. Island beach
5. Churches
6. Raj Niwas – the governor’s official residence, again a french structure
7. Alliance Francaise
8. Aurobindo Ashram
9. Manakula Vinayagar Koil
10. Shopping lanes
11. Mahatma Gandhi Street (MG street)
12. Romain Rolland Street
13. Nehru Street (JN street)