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The family that travels together stays together, right? Pondicherry is one of India’s most recommended places to visit with families.
Pondicherry is a French town that was one of the four settlements known as the Union Territory of Puducherry between August 16, 1954, and November 1, 1956.
The three other towns settled by the French were Yanam, Karaikal, and Chandernagore.
Pondicherry hosts numerous historical monuments such as Fort St. David, religious structures like Auroville temple or Aurobindo Ashram, and beach resorts like the Promenade Beach or the newly opened Swami Vivekananda Beach.
Other popular attractions in Pondicherry include lakes like Lake Flower or Homestretch Water Park; several beaches like Promenade Beach, which are very popular among tourists and locals in Pondicherry; markets like Pondicherry Market or Area 52 Market; and coffee shops like Cafe Camparino.
If you are heading to Pondicherry, here is a list of the top-7 family trips you can take in Pondicherry:
Paradise Beach, locally called the Plage Paradiso, is one of the most visited beaches in Pondicherry, near Chunnambar. This is a small, isolated beach decorated with golden sand.
You can take a taxi from the city centre to the Chunnambar boathouse, around 7 kilometres south of the main city. You need to take a boat ride for about 20–30 minutes to cross the backwaters to reach the shore. These boats run every 20 minutes, and they are extremely convenient.
Please remember the last ferry time-you must return from the shore before sunset. During the boat ride, you can spot many birds, and you can also click some great pictures if you are a wildlife enthusiast.
It is one of thebest places to visit in December with family,as from November to March; the weather is pleasant to soak up the sun at the beach or enjoy water sports like jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, etc. and swimming as well. Paradise beach is the perfect place to go early in the morning to see the sun coming up on the eastern coast.
These activities are not always available because they are dependent on the weather conditions on the coast on the day of your visit. In some places, the water in the area is quite deep. Proper safety precautions must be taken when setting out on a boat.
Because proper food is difficult to come by on the beach, it is best to bring food and water with you if you believe it will be necessary.
In October and November, the retreating monsoon brings downpours to the area, so it is best to avoid visiting Paradise Beach.
The Aurobindo Ashram was named after its founder, Sri Aurobindo Ghosh, an Indian philosopher, yoga teacher, maharishi, writer, and nationalist.
The cornerstone of this retreat centre was laid on November 24, 1926, when he decided to retire from politics and planned to settle in Pondicherry, along with his disciples worldwide.
This ashram was founded to assist people in attaining liberation and inner peace. Many tourists from all around the nation visit the ashram to gain spiritual knowledge and experience.
The day this ashram was established is known as the “foundation day of the ashram.” Mirra Alfassa, an Aurobindo disciple, played a significant role in the foundation and development of the ashram. She took great care of the Ashram shortly after Sri Aurobindo Ghosh’s passing in 1950 and was known as the Ashram’s mother.
The Ashram currently has over 500 devotees, many students enrolled in the Democratic Movement School, and over a hundred patients. Furthermore, the ashram has no branches and only exists in Pondicherry.
There is also a samadhi in the yard underneath the frangipani tree, where Sri Aurobindo’s and Mother’s bodies were buried. Every day, people pay their respects by putting flowers on them.
Auroville is situated in Tamil Nadu, and it was officially established in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, a follower of Aurobindo and popularly known as the “Mother” of the Sri Aurobindo Society.
This location encompasses tranquillity and serves as an ideal retreat for those seeking peace. The best way to enjoy your family trip to the Auroville Ashram in Pondicherry is to simply sit in one of the cafes and engage in conversation with a few residents about their life in the city.
Auroville, dubbed “the Universal Town,” is an innovative township where people from all traditions and cultures come to live together in peace.
This township currently has over 2,800 residents, representing over 195 different nationalities. The Aurovilleans, as they are known, live together around the principles of sustainability, harmony, and peace, and the Mother’s philosophy of ‘divine consciousness.’
Arikamedu was an ancient Roman trade centre named after the Tamil word ‘Arikanmedu,’ meaning ‘eroding mount.
Arikamedu is a hidden gem for tourists and is located around a half-hour drive from Pondicherry.
From the first century BC to the second century AD, this port city was occupied by the Roman Empire, the Cholas, and the French, and it was a well-known maritime centre of that time.
After the discovery and excavation of Arikamedu, extensive proof came to light about Indo-Roman ties in the pre-Christ era, which were earlier little known to us.
The first excavations in Arikamedu were conducted mostly in the 1940s, and they have continued ever since. So far, the excavation of Sir Mortimer Wheeler’s institution was by far the most encouraging of all.
The Pondicherry Museum houses valuable artefacts and relics unearthed from the site. They provide visitors with information about Arikamedu’s history and culture.
Promenade Beach is a well-known 1.2-kilometre stretch of rocky beach in the coastal town of Pondicherry.
The ocean spray, chattering waves, and waterscape make this beach and Pondicherry one of India’s best family holiday destinations.
In the evenings, the beach is often crowded with groups of people walking, playing volleyball, jogging, skating, and practising yoga.
Promenade Beach is only two hours from Pondicherry’s central railway station, making it a popular destination for tourists to witness the breathtaking sunset.
Kottakuppam Beach, locally known as the Serenity Beach, boasts supreme tranquillity and sun-kissed sands. It is a lovely escape from the city, lapped by the scenic Bay of Bengal’s sparkling waters.
Because the beach is remote and little known among locals, it provides a sense of absolute tranquillity and seclusion.
Serenity Beach is popular with fishermen and is always covered with ferries and boats.
The beach’s large waves provide excellent surfing opportunities not accessible on other nearby beaches. A few nearby surfing schools also provide coaching for tourists interested in learning to surf.
Pondicherry is rich in captivating marine life and offers an incredible scuba diving adventure off India’s East Coast.
A dive into the sea will allow you to discover the rich marine life of kingfish, lionfish, sea snakes, crustaceans, lionfish, moray eels, and many other exotic creatures.
Aside from that, if you’re lucky, you might even see whale sharks, sharks, dolphins, and turtles. You can also choose to dive on an artificial reef and enjoy the thrill of the activity, making it the perfect choice for planning a family trip to Pondicherry, India.
These seven destinations are the more popular ones in this beautiful coastal town, which are easily accessible if you are travelling with your family, including parents or kids. A trip to Pondicherry with your family will surely be a loving and joyous experience.
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Chennai International Airport, also known as the Madras International Meenambakkam Airport, is the nearest airport to Pondicherry.
Winters, from November to March, are the best months to plan your trip to Pondicherry.
Yes! It’s completely safe to travel to Pondicherry with your family. Make sure to follow the safety guidelines and stick to the particular places’ timings.
Ideally, 2-3 days are enough to visit all the major tourist spots in Pondicherry.
On Cleartrip, you can find the best deals on hotel and flight bookings for your trip to Pondicherry.