Friday Evening always has an excitement geared up. This time its about visiting Pondicherry. We reached the Shantinagar Bus Terminus at about 9pm after a quick dinner. We bought out on the spot ticket for 10pm bus and were off to Pondi. The bus stopped twice by the highways to catch a quick coffee in the onset of October breeze. The roads are amazing like buttered and the buses are extremely comfortable. Something to boast about the Karnataka State transport is their fleet of Volvos, Isuzus and Mercs. It makes my travels so much more relaxed and rested.
We reached Pondicherry at about 5am and the seabreeze called upon us. Morning walk down the market place looking around the french colony while we were searching for a place to park ourselves. We stopped by the A2B for coffee that is amazing over imagination. This place is opposite the Arulmigu Manakula Vinayaka Temple at the heart of the town on Nehru Street. Soon after we saw a beautifully decorated possession from the temple pass through the street and the centre of attraction is none other than the temple elephant. Once the possession passed, we took our way towards the sea. We walked up through the shore road and tried to get a place to stay in the meantime. The french houses were beautiful and incredibly expensive. Finally, a corner french house is what we planned to treat ourselves with. Once freshened, we walked out and went to daily bread on Nehru street for breakfast. The scrambled egg, cold coffee, pancakes, cookies and the pastries were amazing. once done, we moved out and hired bikes which are easily available around every streets on daily cost. We moved towards the M.G.Road and saw the Varadharaja Perumal Temple. It is a 16th century Vishnu temple. The best part of this temple is the water flowing continuously at the entrance, so that the visiter have their foot washed before entering. Photography is not allowed here. We kept moving towards the end of the road where stands the the majestic Church of the Sacred Heart, beautiful and a serene Basilica. Further down, right opposite to the railway station is the Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges with its beautiful Indo – Gothic Architecture. We could not have missed this when in Pondicherry. In the evening we were back to the beech road, saw the Gandhi Statue, the Promenade Museum and finally went up to the terrace of Hotel Ajanta for a seaview evening beer and enjoy sunset. We then came back to our nest to freshen up and spend our evening in relaxing around the beech road.
Next day was early as we covered the Aurobindo Ashram Premises, the Mother’s house (MatriMandir), the a few more places by post breakfast. We went to Paradise Beach and played in the water till late afternoon. The seaside fish fry and tender coconut completed our lunch. Once back, we freshened up and started towards Auroville. The Auroville store is simply amazing in its Artwork and the Linen Fabric is worth a buy. Evening was completed with the Hibiscus syrup from the Auroville Cafeteria. We decided to hang around Auroville that evening and hence checked in to the Bay Castle Service Apartments. Budget and extremely clean place with very good hospitality. Our dinner was at Tanto’s Woodburn Pizza and Mango Sherbat. We retired at the terrace of our service apartment and completed our candle light relaxation.
The next morning was spent in the meditation centre of Auroville. Be prepared to have a registration done beforehand else the place is always overbooked. It was followed by some time spent on the beautiful Auroville Beach.
By evening, we were ready to say goodbye to Pondicherry.
