Pondicherry is a former French Colony in the Southern state of Tamil Nadu and just 105 miles from Chennai. This quaint coastal town is famously known as ‘The French Capital of India’. Serenity is what awaits you as you tour this small but well planned town. The French used European style town planning and made the most of the tiny area Pondicherry holds.  Although you can roam the town in a day, it still offers a plethora of adventurous activities along the Coromandel Coast. The town has a canal running between it with the French Quarter on one side and the Indian Quarter on the other. Many tourists have described the attractions in Pondicherry as a “French surprise in an Indian curry.” This breathtaking town is filled with urban architecture, immaculate beaches and a unique cuisine that will leave you with yummy in your tummy.

Auroville: Tour the City of Equality with Harmony

Auroville began as an experimental town, inspired by Indian Philosopher and freedom fighter Sri Aurobindo. The main aim of this universal township is human unity in diversity. This unique town houses over 2,000 people from 59 different countries. The idea is to create a land filled with humans irrespective of their creed, caste or religion.

Founded in 1968, Auroville is crowned with the Matri Mandir in the middle of it. A magnificent sphere shaped golden structure that acts as a meditation center for the Aurovillians. Tourists are not allowed to enter this spiritual dome but an advance booking can get you to the viewing point of this center. Auroville is Utopia coming to life and is one of the unique attractions in Pondicherry.

Paradise Beach: Take a Backwater Boat Ride to Heaven

If you’re looking for a secluded haven, Paradise Beach is the place for you. This private, pristine beach boasts white smooth sand scattered alongside azure waters. Paradise Beach is not connected by land and the 5-minute ferry ride from Chunnambar Boat House is a beautiful journey. You will sail through the backwaters of Chunnambar to reach this heavenly paradise.

The beach’s aesthetic beauty has the locals to thank for their relentless efforts towards keeping this coast unblemished. Paradise Beach is among the famous tourist attractions in Pondicherry attracting scores of visitors every year.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Reflect on your Spirituality

Sri Aurobindo was a famous philosopher, poet and yogi who stood as one of the many influential leaders during the Indian freedom struggle. He founded this Ashram in 1926 after retiring from politics and permanently settling in Pondicherry. Aurobindo once said, “Peace is the first condition, without which nothing else can be stable.” The Indian philosopher’s Ashram evokes a pure sense of peace, resonating with his above beliefs.

The Ashram is also the resting ground for this spiritual mind, attracting tourists from all over the world. Whether you seek spirituality or knowledge, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram has it all. With libraries and assembly halls, one can connect with their inner selves and understand their philosophies all at the same time. Among the attractions in Pondicherry, the Ashram is a must for first-time visitors.

Bay of Buddha Restaurant: Eat your Heart Out!

The first Pan-Asian restaurant in Pondicherry, Bay of Buddha is a rooftop eatery with an immaculate view of the Rock Beach. Located in White Town, this obviously classy restaurant rocks an earthy ambience and a diverse set menu. The fragrant, delectable dishes to try here are Tom Kha Kai, Seafood Sushi Platter and Holy Basil Cheesecake.

A fusion of Southeast Asian elements, this eatery boasts multiple cuisines including Vietnamese and Japanese food. Bay of Buddha runs for just the dinner service, so it is advised to make reservations to enjoy your eating binge.

Pondicherry Museum: Take a Walk through Pondy’s Past

Situated in the Bharathi Park at Saint Louis Street, the Pondicherry Museum has an enviable collection of relics. There are over 80 intricately carved bronze sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties. However, the best artifacts housed here are from the 2nd Century Arikamedu-Roman settlement.

The port Arikamedu was used to import and export goods to the Roman Empire. The excavations conducted here found some amazing pottery and statue artifacts. A fossilized tree trunk welcomes you in the courtyard of this museum making it one of the top attractions in Pondicherry.

Pondicherry is filled with rare and unprecedented beauty that everyone needs to see at least once in their lives. While the above five are the most famous attractions in Pondicherry, it deserves a few special mentions.

Ousteri Lake is an IUCN designated wetland and attracts scores of migratory birds every year. It is also the perfect place for bird photographers to build your Instagram portfolio. Pondy Bazaar is a hub for handmade art pieces. This shopping line has an official tour where the guide enlightens you about the Pondy Bazaar’s past.

Now that you have a fairly clear idea of the things to do in Pondicherry, get those bags packed and gear up for an adventure. Finding the right flight to a foreign land can be taxing so why not give Indian Eagle a shot. This airline booking agency is ideal for those looking to book last minute flight tickets to India.   

–Travel Diary

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How do you think a vacation in Kodaikanal in the Indian state of Tamilnadu is going to be like? Well, if you haven’t thought about Kodaikanal, you must consider the cool hill town of Kodaikanal as your next holiday destination. Kodaikanal is a popular hill station located in the Palani hill range in the midst of beautiful mountains, majestic valleys, cascading waterfalls, sparkling rivers, and stunning lakes and is a perfect hangout for honeymooners because of its cold climate throughout the year and the natural beauty surrounding it. Our blog post will list the best places to visit in Kodaikanal for spending a rejuvenating holiday with family and friends.

From hiking in the jungles to cruising in the Kodaikanal Lake in a riverboat to taking beautiful pictures of the mesmerizing landscapes and natural settings, there’s so much to do in this southern hill station of India. The best time to visit Kodaikanal is during the summer season of March to June when the weather is cold enough to beat the summer heat.

How to reach Kodaikanal?

The easiest way to reach Kodaikanal is flying to Chennai (MAA) and then hiring a private car to reach Kodaikanal, about 527 km apart in distance.Reading our Chennai Travel Guide can help you have a seamless tour of the capital city of Tamil Nadu. Have your cheap flights to India booked with Indian Eagle right away for huge savings on flights. Read on to find out what’s in our bucket-list of amazing places to visit in Kodaikanal.

1. Fairy Falls

The Fairy Falls is one of the most beautiful attractions of Kodaikanal. The majestic waterfall is a perfect hangout for enjoying with family and friends and is an epitome of nature’s beauty at its best. The source for the waterfall is a local community reservoir and the water basin at the bottom of the falls is not too shallow for indulging in swimming. The must-do is walking on the Stonebridge located right in front of the falls and taking snapshots of the picturesque waterfalls against the backdrop of lush green landscape.

2.Coaker’s Walk

Coaker’s Walk is a beautiful walkway with stunning views to the scenic valleys and is perfect for getting lost in the natural beauty and wilderness of the hill town. Walking the man-made walkway along with your sweetheart can add a little bit of romance to your life. The must-do is shopping some local souvenirs at the small shops located on the walking trail.

3. Pillar Rocks

The Pillar Rocks according to us is the numero uno of all the attractions of the hill station. Get bedazzled by the stunning sight of the three vertical rock pillars which lie next to each other standing tall in the wilderness of the hill town. The best time for sightseeing the Pillar Rocks is during the dawn when the evenly sized 400-feet long rock pillars are partly covered with fog and mist.

4. Kodaikanal Lake

Kodaikanal Lake is a must-visit place in most standard Kodaikanal itineraries. No trip to Kodaikanal is complete without paying a visit to this stunning star-shaped, man-made Kodaikanal Lake. The most popular tourist activity at the Kodaikanal Lake is cruising in the waters of the lake in riverboats to get breathtaking views of the scenic beauty surrounding the lake.

5. Canopy Hills

The Canopy Hills are one of the best places to visit in Kodaikanal for the mind-boggling panoramic view of the hill-town. A long trek to the Canopy Hills in Kodaikanal can help you discover the adventurer in you and is a must-do for all adventure enthusiasts who are fascinated by the idea of putting their physical trekking ability to test. The 15km long trek will take you through the thick jungles of the Western Ghats and en-route one can spot beautiful wildlife creatures including porcupines, wild goats and some rare birds from the bird kingdom.

–Travel Diary

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