Unique places to visit in Pondicherry
Pondicherry has many more unique places to explore than Paradise and rock beaches. Pondicherry has a unique history and culture, spreading from the Romans’ visit in BCE to the French invasion a hundred years back. Pondicherry is so diverse that you can witness the colonial impressions in white town and traditional Tamil architectural temples just a few metres apart. You can book a tour with us to explore these unique places to visit in Pondicherry (Whatsapp for details: +91-7604942994).
Arikamedu
Arikamedu is one of the unique places to visit in Pondicherry to know the History behind Pondicherry. Arikamedu is located next to the Ariyankuppam River. This serene, calm Ariyankuppam river was once a thriving port, which had traded with Romans two thousand years back. Pondicherry Museum has two important archaeological sources that link Arikamedu with the Roman Empire. One is “Koan Amphorae “, the ceramic container transporting the wines. It was made with specific mechanical strength, standard vessel size and shape. These amphorae found in Arikamedu were created on the island of Kos (East Aegean) in Greece. And the other one is “Terra Sigillata “, often called decorated tableware made in the ancient Roman Empire. Romans used to eat on this tableware. Both these critical archaeological sources are on display at the Pondicherry Museum. Arikamedu is the centre of the bead-making industry, dating back to BCE. They have imported raw materials from carnelian, quartz, agate, citrine, and onyx stones. Arikamedu also had Mosaic stones from the Roman Empire and lapis lazuli from Afghanistan.
Heritage White Town
The first place visitors go to Pondicherry is “White Town.” As its name implies, this section of the Boulevard is exclusive to the Pondicherry governing White French. Pondicherry is frequently called the “Window of France” or “India’s Little France.” Their opinions of the stunning structures on the Boulevard are visible. The oval-shaped “Boulevard town” was constructed, with the Tamil side dubbed “Ville Noire” and the European side called “Ville Blanche,” meaning the white town.
These graceful structures include open interior courtyards that let in natural light. Hotels such as L’Orient and Le Dupleix feature these architectural types. Typically, a house’s interior is more elaborate than its outside. The characteristics include tall arched doors and windows and high ceilings. However, the historic “Ville Noire” buildings are vanishing quickly; only a few remain on the Boulevard today. Every street on Boulevard is lined up in a straight line and leads to the promenade beach road in the east.
Ruby Beach
Ruby Beach in Pondicherry is located in Veerampatinam, around 10 km from the white town. Road connectivity to this beach is excellent compared to other beaches. One of the attractions of Ruby Beach in Pondicherry is the long beach with pure white sand without any dirt, which is rare to see in Pondicherry.
Svaram Sound Garden
Svaram is a musical research centre located in Auroville. Svaram craftsman will explain the instruments in the sound garden. They’ve created exhibits in the sound garden where you may experience the artwork of musical instruments. The craftsman will ask each guest to play and listen to the sounds as they are played on separate instruments. The instruments in the sound garden include a “Plate Bow Harp” (a string resonate) that mimics the sound of a veena; a “Plate Gond” that generates a single solid tone at a particular frequency; and a “Spinner,” a massive drum suspended from a tree that requires you to rotate a spring in the centre of it to hear the resonance spreading.
Aaranya Forest
Aaranya Forest and Sanctuary are spread across 100 acres, and it is located 10 km from Pondicherry City near Poothurai village (East of Ouster Bird Sanctuary). Aaranya Forest and Sanctuary is an artificial forest developed by Saravanan. He converted this barren land into a lush green tropical dry evergreen forest for the past 25 years. This forested habitat has nearly 900 indigenous species of plants, 240 varieties of birds, and 54 species of butterflies. It also inhabits rare mammals like Indian crested porcupines, jungle cats, golden jackals, small Indian civets, palm civets, spotter deers, and monitor lizards. Most animals are shy and nocturnal since the forest is close to the city.
Auroville Botanical Garden
Auroville Botanical Garden was established in 2000 to restore the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest in South India, and it spread around 50 acres of land. Initially, it was a barren land with cashew trees, but now it has been transformed into a luxurious landscape. It has 310 tree species, and around 5,500 specimens were planted in the garden.
Grand Canyon of Pondicherry
Visit the villages that have survived the megalithic times, with burial grounds, Cairns circle, and tools. Explore the intricate Fossil woods, unique sandstone formations and ecologically critical ravines known as mini canyons, which are more than 20 million years old from the times of Gondwana. Fossil woods, unique sandstone formations, unique ravines, etc. An exploration of Pondicherry in a different, unique sense.
Pondicherry Cheese Factory
Cheese Factory is one of the unique places to visit in Pondicherry. One of the rare cheese factories that makes artisan cheeses. The cheese factory tour can take an hour to an hour and a half, and our cheese maker will walk you through the equipment and process and explain the entire methodology. You will witness whatever cheese is being made on the tour day. The best part of any factory tour is tasting the cheese at the end of the time. You will get to sample their top-selling cheese like Pondy Orange, Ricotta, Feta, Mozzarella, Bocconcini and a few specials! So, get cheesy, and all you cheese lovers, make sure you make the most of this experience since we have a cheese factory right here in our city!
Doll temple at Thennampakkam
Muthu Azhagar Siddhar temple is located around 20 km from Pondicherry. It is believed to be 300 years old, and the temple is famous for its hundreds of dolls. People think keeping the dolls at the temple will make their wishes come true. Dolls were made of mud earlier, but now they are made of concrete cement. Even though the temple is famous, dolls outnumber the devotees at any given time. It is a sight to behold.
Cluny Embroidery Art Society
Cluny Embroidery Art Society is on Romain Rolland Street, opposite Hotel De L’orient. Cluny Embroidery Art Society is housed in an 18th-century bungalow run by the local convent to support the underprivileged women from Pondicherry and Tamilnadu. Cluny Embroidery is famous for its home linens with intricate hand-stitched designs. You can buy tablecloths, napkins, hand towels, scarves, and other linen products.
