Things to do & places to visit in Union Territory of Pondicherry, India

Union Territory of Pondicherry cover image

A colonial touch blended with the robust Tamil culture, Pondicherry is just a two-hour picturesque drive away from Chennai. Visit here for the cobblestone cycling-friendly streets, the rich history of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, and some of the best cafes in which to hang out. A place where lethargy is a virtue, enjoy the sun rise at the widely used beachfront. The same place converts into a local hangout at night when traffic is stopped and post-dinner walkers turn out for ice cream.

Union Territory of Pondicherry #23 destination in India 2023. The average rating score is 4.02 based on 13.9k traveler reviews, of 41 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Kolkata, current date and time: Friday, May 03, 2024, 8:36.

Top things to do (21)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Azheekkal Sree Bhagavathi Temple (1 review)
- Peaceful Atmosphere
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

It is hindu religious temple situated in azheekkal village mew mahe. Temple is nearby the azheekkal beach. See more..
4.5 Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple (1.592 reviews)
- Temple with nice paintings
Friday: 5:45 AM - 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM Religious Sites

Temple timings in the morning are 4:45am to 12:30pm in the morning and again they will open in the evening. But they will pause dharshan after 12pm for around 30 minutes to perform harathi and abhishekam. Please make a note of it. You need to struggle a little bit to park on the street as it is a busy street Temple has nice paintings See more..
4.5 The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (960 reviews)
- Most Beautiful Church in Pondicherry
Friday: 6:00 AM - 10:30 PM Churches & Cathedrals

Consecrated at the turn of the 20th century, this beautiful brown and white church is noted for its splendid Gothic architecture. The most beautiful part of the church is the stained glass windows which depict various saints and events from the life of Jesus Christ. At the entrance to the church grounds is a small shop where you may purchase a candle (among other religious items). From outside facing the church, go to the right side of the church where you may light your candle and say a prayer. We visited the church on New Year's Day when the church was overflowing with worshippers. The service, especially the singing, was really nice. This church is within rickshaw distance of Beach Road and is the nicest church in Pondicherry. Definitely worth a visit! See more..
4.5 Rock Beach (531 reviews)
- Rock Beach is a perfect getaway to lose yourself in the beauty of nature.
Spent 2-3 hours Beaches

Pondicherry is a coastal town and a Union Territory that is situated in the southeast most part of India. Overseen the French colonies , french restaurant Pondicherry displays a mixed culture in its architecture,awesome restaurant, several streets ,friendly people and even in the cuisine that one can experience with the Pondicherry At night it is very good to see beach , sitting on the rocks watching the waves coming towards....it feels sooo amazing like heaven . There are many places where u can visit like Auroville , Chunnambar Boat House ,Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ,Botanical Garden Pondicherry n more hopefully we covered more places just in 3.5 days .Its best to rent a bike , to travel where u want to go n one more thing Google is the best , which guides u exactly where u want to visit next. It was a great experience . See more..
4.5 Varadaraja Perumal Temple (130 reviews)
- Beautiful Vishnu Temple in the City of Puduchery
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

This is also one of the very old temples in Puduchery. Inner space is calm and soothing. Few small temples or templets are house inside the campus. Murals and idols of deities are nicely crafted and beautifully colored. Most of them represent ancient legends from Hindu scriptures. See more..
4.5 Saniswaran Temple (97 reviews)
- worth to visit
Religious Sites

Shiva temple in the form of Lord Dharbaranyeswarar, which is also popularly known as Saneeswaran temple. The Navagraha Sthala is dedicated to Shani or Saturn. This temple is known as Thirunallar Saneeswara Temple. We had seen a large number of people coming to worship Saneeswaran on Saturdays. Devotees suffering from Shani Dosha come here to pray to Saneeswaran and then take a bath in the Nala Theertham. By doing this, one is able to eliminate the negative effects of one's past karma. Upon entering the Thirunallar temple, we can see a small shrine dedicated to Nala. As we approach the main shrine, we will see the gold-plated Dwajasthambam. To the left of this main shrine is the Saneeswara shrine. Among the other deities in this temple are Karpaka Vinayakar, Kalathinatha, Subramanya, and Swarna Vinayaka. The temple is open from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. See more..
4.5 INTACH Heritage Centre (56 reviews)
- Trip down the old Pondicherry!
Friday: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

INTACH is located in the Heritage Town of Pondicherry. this is a beautiful Tamil house which is restored to become the INACH office in Pondicherry. This place is very well done and is loaded with information about the restoration done at various places in Pondicherry to safeguard the old world charm of this beautiful French colony. They also have a lot of reading material available and en enthusiast can spend a couple of hours here. See more..
4.5 Rajiv Gandhi Beach (23 reviews)
- Family had quality time at Rajiv Gandhi Beach
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Stayed at Kakinada for the road trip. Went to Rajiv Gandhi Beach at Yanam. It is a well maintained area. It has a mosque in the ship shaped structure. Shivling with two elephants looks Majestic. There is a church and on the shore side Jesus statue which is magnificient and below his feet in the cave like structure sculped are the events from Jesus life. Then there is Brarat Mata statue with Tricolour in Her hand and with the lion. Very big statue of Bharat mata never seen before. There are stone sculptures of Ahoka Pillar and vairous animals and other figurine, which enhance the beauty of the area. Scenic spot to see the majestic Godavari river flowing peacefully before merging into Bay of Bengal. See more..
4.5 Tasmai, a Centre for Art & Culture (19 reviews)
- A must visit place
Art Galleries

It is little bit hard to find the address once you get in to the place you feel the real craft and other hand works (really nice) See more..
4.5 Pondicherry Lighthouse (18 reviews)
- View from the top is worth the effort of climbling around 250 steps!!!
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lighthouses

This lighthouse has an entry fee of Rs. 20 or 30 per adult... as you get to the top climbling step... the view is worth the efforts... the whole pondicherry is under you... The colorful buildings, beaches, houses everything is visible... and the cool wind moving at the top is so amazing... See more..
4.5 Kalinka Art Gallery (16 reviews)
- great place for art lovers
Friday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

Kalinka art gallery has a great art collection of paintings . One must visit this place while in Pondi. The French lady in charge is very friendly. One can enjoy and take own time as it is not crowded. See more..
4.5 New Church of our Lady of Lourdes (2 reviews)
- Mass timing of villianur churvh?
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

I will be visiting this church on 13th Aug this month. Can anyone share with me the mass timings. 13th to 15th.... See more..
4.5 Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple (2 reviews)
- Famous temple in karaikal
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites
One of the famous temple in karaikal. Nice place. It has fish pond inside the temple, where people go for walking during evening time. See more..
4.0 Seaside Promenade (3.046 reviews)
- Pondicherry trip for two days
Marinas • Piers & Boardwalks

• Pondicherry is a good place to visit one time. • Two day's trip is enough for pondicherry. • I stayed in a seaside guesthouse which was really a good place to stay in front of beach • I borrowed scooty for two days 300/- per day.(The best men I met in Pondicherry) • Atmosphere was a bit humid during this month (September) so I would suggest to visit in any cold month. • Do not forget to carry sunscream, too much tanning • Marine beach , Eden beach and Rock beach were the good one's. • I am a vegetarian and eat only at veg restaurant's. So if this is not a problem with you, you should definitely explore cafe's. See more..
4.0 Paradise Beach (2.359 reviews)
- Puducherry - Tips to make best
Beaches

You can reach Paradise beach by taking a boat from Chunnambar boat house. The charge for drop and pick up to Paradise beach is Rs. 354/- per person. It is white sand beach. You can swim in the beach. Though you cant go too deep in the water. There are lifeguards which keep an eye on the visitors. The facility to change and shower is almost non existent. You can have some food and drink but there are not much to offer for eating. A part of beach is owned privately by a resort and only Pondicherry Government can tell how they have started seeling occean and beaches ot private players but you are not allowed to enter the part of sea owned by the private player. It is the best beach in Pondicherry where you can get wet. You can easily spend 2 - 3 hours on the beach. There is no beach sports though. A few more tips for Pondy travellers :- 1. Hire a scooty or scooter to move around. They are convenient and cost effective. The ricksaw here charge Mercedez per Km rates and travellers are meant to be cheated. 2. Stay in white town area even if it is expensive. It is the most happening area and essence of Pondy. There are a lot of food joints in this area, you will surely enjoy. 3. Spend an evenining on Promenade beach. A walk on the road adjacent to the beach is an exclusive experience. 4. Go to Auroville (Matrimandir) if and only if you can walk a lot. Personally I did not find it worth to view Matrimandir dome from 500m after walking a lot. Of course, you are curious about Auroville philosophy, you should pay a visit. 5. Visit Villa Shanti for food lovers. Decor is excellent. There is some variety in food (limited choice fo Vagetarion people though). It is a different experience but pricey. See more..
4.0 Sri Aurobindo Ashram (710 reviews)
- Silence & Peace
Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is one of the most famous and wealthy ashrams in India. The Ashram is within walking distance of Manakula Vinayagar Temple and Rock Beach. Through permanent exhibits of photographs, captions, tests, videos, and books, the center also provides an introduction to Sri Aurobindo's vision and The Mother's spiritual practice. Only a small portion of the premises is accessible to visitors. The environment is extremely calm and serene. Inside the building, you are not allowed to use your phone or speak. Outside the ashram, your shoes and chappals must be removed and placed on racks opposite the ashram. Cleanliness and order are maintained in the ashram by volunteers and associates. It is worth going, but there is not a lot to do or see. See more..
4.0 Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges (454 reviews)
- Beautiful 1850 Church
Churches & Cathedrals

One of the many sights whilst walking through Pondicherry’s French Quarter. It has been thoughtfully restored and painted throughout in calm and contemplative pastel colours. There is a small history of the church on the left as you enter. See more..
4.0 Immaculate Conception Cathedral (210 reviews)
- Holy place
Churches & Cathedrals

This one of oldest Roman catholic church looks like more holy due to its whiteness. We saw awesome painting inside the church. You feel good positive vibes when you go inside. This place is quite and calm. Church has own two wheeler parking area. This church should be in your list. See more..
4.0 Statue Of Gandhi (145 reviews)
- Perfectly located between the Promenade and the Bay .
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

This beautiful monument shows everyone’s beloved Mahatma Gandhi in one of his iconic poses. His head is protected from above and the central statue is surrounded by columns. This landmark is a place of meeting and gathering of both the locals and tourists. This monument looks interesting in variety of lightings and it is good to visit it at various times of the day. See more..
4.0 Park Monument (Aayi Mandapam) (128 reviews)
- A Nice Monument
Monuments & Statues

Aayi monument is in middle of Government Park or Bharati Park in Puduchery. A nice monument made of white marble during the period of Napoleon-3, Emperor of france. It was dedicated to a curtesan lady named Aayi who destroyed her house to erect water reservoir to supply water for city. You can seat in monument on surrounding seat See more..
4.0 Raj Niwas (125 reviews)
- Beautiful Architecture
Friday: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Spent < 1 hour Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings

An interesting combination of Indian and French architecture, Raj Niwas, is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governors of Pondicherry. Completed around 1738, it is a beautiful "house". Built in typical Indian fashion there is a courtyard on the ground floor of the house. Beautifully carved wooden pillars surround the courtyard. Decorated masonry columns of European design support a first floor terrace. Outside a water monument is placed in the middle of a well-maintained garden. The lawns are decorated with sculptures. Two canons sit on either side of the main gate. Unfortunately you will only get a glimpse of the elegant white mansion from outside the gates since it is not open to the public. See more..
4.0 French Institute (63 reviews)
- Great place for scholars and history buffs
Educational sites

A great place if you are a historian looking for a range of archival material on culture, religion, environment related to Pondicherry and French Colonial rule, as well as the culture of the Tamil provinces. Great collection of books in many Indian languages apart from French and English, as well as palm leaf manuscripts and pictures. The building itself is a historic and overlooking the sea. See more..
4.0 Romain Rolland Library (57 reviews)
- very rare and great collection of books
Libraries

if you spend some time here, you may end up finding some unheard of books. collection is really good for english and hindi readers. See more..
4.0 Kargil War Memorial (45 reviews)
- A place for respect and gratitude
Spent < 1 hour Monuments & Statues

A memorial on Beach Road, a good place to stop and remember our soldiers and officers in the Indian Army. Well-located and prominent, it makes for a good place to stop and say “thank you”. See more..
4.0 Karaikal Beach (41 reviews)
- Less crowd, more extensive beach
Beaches

Karaikal beach is one of the main tourist attractions in karaikal. There is no public transport to the beach, u have to take your own vehicle or go by walk from the nearest bus stop which is around 1.5kms from the beach. If u wanted to go for a walk or jog, it is a perfect place. Usually it is very less crowded except Sundays. People are not allowed to enter the shore area after 6 in the evening. See more..
4.0 The Ganesh Garden (30 reviews)
- Nice place.
Gardens

Visited with family. Nice place to be seen and can wait for some time. Kids enjoy playing in the garden. See more..
4.0 Kanniga Parameswari Temple (26 reviews)
- Fusion architecture
Religious Sites

Every temple is unique in its own way and this one is no different. A mix of Indian and the resident French architecture makes it unique. See more..
4.0 Mahe River Side Walkway (19 reviews)
- Mahe...a hidden gem
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas

Mahe which is a little part of Puducherry that lies within Kerala, is really a hidden gem of beauty. This place offers you a beautiful view of backwaters and open sea with lush green background on one side with a little hill walk and on other side the picturesque coconut tree line marking the shore. This place can be poster card of beautiful western ghats touching Arabian sea. In this tiny town you can feel the peace, relaxation while even taking a stroll on the sea pathway. Its offers a slow down to the fast pacing life. If you are planning a trip to either Calicut (Khozikode) or Kannur, you can easily plan a 1-2 hour stop at this place in your journey, which you would not regret. See more..
4.0 Sri Karaneswara Nataraja Temple (18 reviews)
- A quaint little place
Friday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

A great place to visit, even if you are not particularly religious. A temple that looks more like an Egyptian pyramid with a traditional Nataraja idol worshipped in the traditional Tamil way. See more..
4.0 Yanam- Yedurlanka Bridge (1 review)
- Nice
Spent < 1 hour Bridges
Visible from afar, the Yanam - Yedurlanka Bridge gives you sweeping views of the vicinity and is a good place to drive on. See more..