The diversity of Indian cities- Pondicherry

Puducherry or Pondicherry resembles a French village. That's because it actually used to be a French colony until 1954.
Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, in South India, it lays near the sea. I enjoy the city for its cleanliness, for its wide choices- not only you could find here French bakeries, croissants, cozy bars with all kind of wines, but also the city offers cheep alcohol in government shops, street food, and even the slums and homeless.

While cycling on the streets of Pondicherry, seeing the scenery of French villas built in an old style, with tall French windows and fancy terraces, wide clean streets, and palms and the sea… one feels like being transported in time to an old French colony, the one you know from the movies. I must admit I like the city a lot. The only thing I am missing is a lady in a long white lace dress with a small hat and an umbrella, coming from a side street, followed by a horse carriage...

The city has obviously a lot of beautiful places to visit, from historical monuments, churches, parks (the most beautiful Government park is right in the centre) even a beach where you can swim. Serenity Beach is located only 3 or 4 kilometres from the town. Serenity Beach offers fancy restaurants and many fishermen. I personally did not find the location suitable for swimming. There is, of course, Pondicherry's own beach with a promenade, where at the end of it you find a tall Gandhi statue. This beach reminds me so much of Bombay, a place where you can sit on the rocks with your mates and enjoy the city view. Obviously, the beach is not for swimmers. Pondicherry's Promenade is always filled with both Western and Indian tourists in the evening which gives it even more holiday-like touch to it.

Auroville, the famous Matrimandir

Serenity Beach

What impressed me are the possibilities here. If you are visiting the ashram, you can easily go to any ashram's owned guest house and stay for as less as 200 rupees in a very nice room. The downside is that in such a place you cannot smoke or drink, and they are also quite strict about the noise. A beautiful guest house is Mother's House, or then only few metres away the Ayodhya Bhavan. The occupants will also be eligible to purchase an all day food token for 40 rupees (food three times a day). The secret however is to find even a better food, what we managed in a police canteen nearby. (All Tamil cities have police canteens for the public where you can buy food from as little as 2 Rs.) I must admit I do prefer the police canteen; they cook better…
 

In case you did not know, Auroville is only 7 kilometers far from Pondicherry and the local bus there costs 5 to 7 rupees. You can also rent a bicycle which is very cheap (30Rs a day), or a motorbike, however that will be much more expensive. Another choice is to rent a scooter from Auroville which you can do for as little as 70 Rs a day. Bike is somewhat a must in here because even though the city is not very crowded, everything you want to see is spread out. 

The city centre of Pondicherry

The Promenade