Friday, February 22, 2013


ARCHITECTURE
Pondicherry has an interesting cross-cultural history and its architecture gives it a unique identity. The old town of Pondicherry is a showcase of the two distinct architectural styles - French and Tamil and the hybrid Franco-Tamil. The French quarter has buildings inspired by the European classical style whereas the buildings in the Tamil quarter are in the vernacular style of Tamil Nadu. In the French quarter, each building has got a different design – the interior of the building boasts a colonnade, a portico, a porch and a garden preserving the privacy from the street outside. French houses are said to be more “introvert” with the massive gate being the connection between the inside and outside.

 

In contrast, the Tamil houses are said to be ‘’extrovert’’ with their verandas (thalvaram) with sitting platforms (thinnai) opening on to the street, welcoming neighbours and passers-by for a chat or visit. While the entrance verandas are very welcoming, they also preserve the privacy of the inner house as only family and close friends are allowed inside. In the old days, passing pilgrims were welcome to spend a night on the thinnai, freshen up in the morning and pursue their journey.


HOSPITALITY
South India has a most famous in hospitality from the past history. In Pondicherry wide range of Hotels, Heritage Villas, Beach Resorts, Guest Houses are improving day by day. Every week end and festival season all the hotels and Guest houses have fully booked, because fresh seafood, cheap rate liquor, beach sea shore and Beautiful Architecture streets capes are welcoming tourists from India and Worldwide.

The most famous hospitality groups in Pondicherry are: Neemrana, Sarovar, CGH Earth Experience, GRT, Aitken Spence, TATA and Accord. A wide selection of heritage hotels, modern and contemporary hotels, home style villas, guest houses and beach resorts are all here to welcome you to Pondicherry.



RESTAURANT
South Indian recipes are most famous and more important for health, In Pondicherry Indian cuisine and multicultural cuisine restaurant with roof gardens, terraced cafés with a relaxed sea view atmosphere and free WI-Fi, with French, Chinese, Creole, Continental, Italian, Vietnamese, Thai, Asian & Indian food serve hot and hygienic with cheap rates.

Most of hotel stay they will serve the complimentary break fast, but out of the hotel’s breakfast available at bakes & bakery that is Baker Street, Bon Bakes, Le Café, Daily Breads, and Hot Breads. Most of the multicultural cuisine restaurants serve lunch and Dinner only that is Rendezvous, Madame Shanthes, Bon Bakes, Satsunga, La Maison Rose, Io café Boutique, The Pasta Bar Veneto, Café Xtasi and L’e –Space. An International Brand KFC, Subways and Pizza Hut also available in Pondicherry.



Note: Most of the restaurants are open all day, but in white town some restaurant are will be closed on Tuesdays. Timings 10 am to 11.30 pm.


SHOPPING
Pondicherry has become a most popular trade centre for creative handicrafts and handmade products such as paper, incense, candles decorated with real petals, antiques, leather goods, pure silks, cotton, ethnic gold and silver jewellery, semi-precious gems & stones.

The best streets for shopping are J.N. Street, M.G. Road, Mission Street, Anna Salai & Suffren Street. There is also a great market taking place on Sundays at M.G.Road & J.N.Street, where you may find quality products at very competitive prices.

Note: In the Tamil part of the town, most of the shops are closed on Sundays & public holidays, but in the French part most of the shops are closed on Tuesdays & public holidays. Timings 10 am to 7 pm.




MASSAGE & SPA
In Pondicherry traditional Ayurveda therapies, Ayurvedic massage, Reiki & Pranic Healing, Varma massage, Acupuncture treatments, Pancha Karma treatments and Yoga & Meditation Classes are available with doctor consulting. Studio Profile, Naturals, VLCC and Prabas are also excellent health and fitness centres offering you great spa and beauty treatments.






INSTITUTES & LIBRARY
Lycee Francaise, Ecole Francaise d’Extrem Oriental, Institute French, Alliance Francaise, Pondicherry University and Pondicherry Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) are the most important institutes in Pondicherry.

Premiere institution, they have a huge number of book on all subjects in their library & Romain Rolland Library.
Timing: 10am to 12 pm, 3pm to 5 pm.





ART & CULTURAL
In Pondicherry regularly happening kind of events like a Painting exhibition, Photography show, music concert, drama, documentary film show, cinema, DJ’s Parties, art & cultural workshop.

Fete de Pondicherry, Bonjour India, Pondicherry shopping festival, International Yoga Festival is major important festivals of Pondichery. It is an enjoyable moment for tourist and pondicherry citizens. It will create a challenging cultural meets and cultural exchange between the south Indian, national and International artists. Most of the events organized by Alliance Francaise, Pondicherry Tourism Department, Aurodhan Art Gallery, Sita Cultural Center, Atrika Art Gallery, Touch Wood, Amarane Art Gallery, Indianostrum Théâtre, Pondy ART & Scuba Diving Center.

DJ Parties and discotheque every weekend conducted by Asian House, Serenity Beach, Auroma Garden & some private restaurants. Some organisation conducting painting shows regularly at Hotel Promenade, Hotel Dupleix, Hotel Maison Perumal & Hotel Palais de Mahe.

In Auroville, the Bharat Nivas, Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, the Square Circle Gallery, Pitanga, Savitri Bhavan & Mohanam cultural centre are conducting cultural activities regularly.



DOORWAYS - RICKSHAW RIDE

Doorways arranging rickshaw ride for tourist to expose the important Heritage buildings Heritage hotels & Charming shopping places of east & west boulevard Pondicherry. Stroll along our quaint seaside main street and surrounding areas for charming local boutiques and favorite luxury retailers.Visit the art galleries that longstanding heritage as a vibrant cultural center.Take a break and enjoy one of our many dining establishments. It's all here for you to enjoy in through its Doorways Pondicherry. Our special town has an illustrious history that combines a unique blend of cultural richness, community involvement and new tradition.


The Doorways Pondicherry is unifying these qualities to showcase our town's vitality for the benefit of our Tourist. The unique architecture of the old town embodies the spirit of Pondicherry. Experience this by rickshaw ride the streets and get captivated by its charm. We preparing this rickshaw ride through its DOORWAYS with support of INTACH’& TOURISM DEPARTMENT of Pondicherry.

Pondicherry has two distinct parts: the French and the Tamil. The French quarter has structures in the European classical style, whereas the building in the Tamil quarter has structures in the vernacular style of Tamil Nadu. The two styles have influenced each other with the result that many buildings in both parts of the town are a harmonious blend of European and Tamil architectural patterns.


DEVOTIONAL
There are more than 350 temples in and around Pondicherry. The most important among them are Thirukameswarar Temple (villianur) Veda Puriswarar Temple (M.G.Road) Varadaraja Perumal Temple (M.G. Road) and Manakula Vinayagar Temple (Near Ashram). Pooja Time : 5.40 am to 12 pm, 4 pm to 8 pm.

The famous churches are Notre Dame des Anges (Rue Dumas - French Mass), Immaculate Cathedral Church (Mission St - English & Tamil Mass) Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (subbaiya Salai - Tamil, English & French Mass) are important in Pondicherry. Mass Timing: 6.30 am to 7.30 am, Evening 5pm to 6 pm.

Jamai Mosque (Mulla st.) & Meeran Mosque are the important mosque in Pondicherry.

BEACHES & WATER SPORTS
Paradise Beach: Located 8 kms away from the south of Pondicherry along the cuddalure main road. This beach can be accessed from the chunambar resort which has a quiet flowing creek. Tourists can enjoy sunbathing, boating and practice water sports which are available every day of the week. Timing: 9am to 5 pm.

Serenity Beach: This beach is located at the northern part of the town within a 10 minute drive from the main city. This virgin beach with its tranquil surroundings is an ideal place to spend your day.

Auro Beach: It is located at the northern part of the town within a 15 minute drive from the main city. The shallow water and tiny waves make it an ideal place for swimming, water sports & sun bathing.

Simplicity Beach: Just 50 metres away from Auro beach, you will find a stunning beach of fine sand where you will be able to admire the crashing waves of the blue sea whilst enjoying the cool breeze from the planted palm trees. It is the perfect place to spend weekends.

MUSEUM
The Museum bring back to memory the glorious past of Pondicherry, from the day of the pre-Christian era down to the present day providing glimpse of the Indo- Roman trade relation through the Arikamedu finds, the effulgence of art and culture during the Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagar days and vignettes of the three hundred year long Franco – Indian cultural effusion. Visit Timing: 10 am to 5 pm (Monday Closed).


SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM
Founded by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the Ashram is a spiritual centre for the practice of integral Yoga as developed by the Master and the Mother. Sri Aurobindo, a revolutionary poet, philosopher and Yogi was born in Calcutta in 1872. He came to Pondicherry in 1910. The Mother, born in Paris in 1878, came to India in 1914 to meet Sri Aurobindo. She resumed her spiritual collaboration with him in 1920 in the hope of achieving together a type of higher mental and spiritual consciousness on earth. Visiting Times: 8 am to 12 Noon & 2 pm to 6 pm.

ARIKAMEDU
Arikamedu, the ancient Roman trade centre is 4 Kms. south of puducherry on the right bank of Ariyankuppam river. It has a long history that dates back to the second century B.C. The port town was inhabited by Romans, Cholas and French who left their mark on this wonderful place. The Roman treasure trail and Arikamedu river cruise take you down the History lane. An unforgettable experience that you wouldn't want to miss.


OUSSUDU LAKE
Ousteri (or Oussudu) Lake is the largest lake in Pondicherry, of around 800 acres of water located approximately 8 km. west of the town. Enjoy boating trips on it and discover a wide range of aquatic species and its exotic bird sanctuary. Timings: 10 am to 5 pm.

TRAVEL & PROMENADE
BY WALK:
In front of the beach several landmarks French War Memorial, statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dupleix, Joan of Ark, Ambetkar Manimandapam, 18th Century light house, Hotel de Ville (Town Hall), French Consulate & Tourist information centre, get a break at Le Café (old port).

BY RICKSHAW:
Doorways are arranging RICKSHAW RIDE to Stroll around our quaint seaside main street and surrounding areas for fascinating boutiques, shopping places and favorite luxury retailers. Take a break and enjoy one of our many dining establishments.


BY TWO WHELLER / BICYCLE: 
Bicycles / two wheelers is a best way to stroll around Pondicherry. License is must, were helmet, avoid drunk drive. (J.N.Street & Kosakadai Street are one way). Obey traffic rule, For bike rental call : + 91 98 94 17 22 44.

BY AUTO & TAXI:
Auto / tuk-tuk can be hired for Rs.40 to Rs.60 (0 - 6 Kms approx.) for local service. Pondicherry to Auroville to Pondicherry by Auto costs approx. Rs. 300 and by taxi Rs. 400. For call taxi call: + 91 95 00 33 88 99.

BY BUS:
Pondicherry is well connected by road to all districts and major towns of various states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andra Pradesh and is best access by road, either by bus or taxi. It is better to take the buses coming by the East Coast Road via Mahabalipuram. For Bus Enquiry: + 91 413 2205504.

BY TRAIN:
Journey by train to and from Pondicherry is popular. Villupuram is the nearest railway junction, and it is fairly well connected to places like Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchi. Train Enquiry: + 91 413 2336684.

BY AIR:
In Pondicherry domestic Airport is operational from 2013 with Spice Jet starts its first ever flight operations from Bangalore to Pondicherry thrice a week (Thursdays/Saturdays/Sundays).

Flight departs from Pondicherry to Bangalore at 13.30hrs and reaches there at 14.20hrs. From Bangalore there are convenient connection to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi. Toll Free: 1800 180 3333. The nearest international Airport is in Chennai.


AUROVILLE
Auroville was inaugurated on 28th February 1968 with a representation from 124 countries; Auroville was envisioned as a Universal Town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs may live in peace and harmony. It is an attempt to create a new society as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Nearly 2000 people from 35 countries live here to achieve human unity and a transformation of the consciousness.

Auroville welcomes people from all parts of the world to live together and explore cultural, educational, scientific, spiritual pursuits in accordance with the Auroville Charter.The
Auroville information centre and the Matri Mandir (a meditation hall with the world’s biggest man-made crystal ball) offer less to see and lots to experience. Matri Mandir timings: 10 to 11 am, 2 to 3 pm; Closed on Tuesdays. For Enquiries call: + 91 413 2622239.

24 HOURS CAFÉ SHOP

LE CAFÉ (old port 24 hr)

Hotel Promenade (Blue Line - 24 hr, Tel: + 91 413 2227750)

Ocean Spray (Tea Lounge - 24 hr, Tel: + 91 413 2650000)

Hotel Athiti (Rue 126 - 24 hr, Tel: + 91 413 2345000)

Hotel Anandha Inn (Surabi - 24 hr, Tel: + 91 413 2330711)

Hotel Mass (Sun -N- Moon - 24 hr, Tel: + 91 413 4207001)

The Sunway GRT GRAND (Open House - 24 hr, Tel: + 91 413 2281608)





COURTESY THANKS TO:
IFP Pondicherry, EFEO Pondicherry, INTACH Pondicherry, Lycee Francaise Pondicherry, Alliance Francaise Pondicherry, 
TOURISME deparment Pondicherry.