Pondicherry is a very quaint and wonderful town. It was a French colony and it became an Union territory of India much after independence. The people are quite simple and very honest. You get some great pottery and terracota works there. Its now most famous for the Aurobindo ashram.

The botanical gardens is no great shakes (especially for some one who comes from Bangalore). However, it does cover a quite a big area and inside the gardens it is quite cool (which is quite a boon) and quiet. As soon as you enter the gardens you are greeted by a breath raking giant terracota demon. The garden also has a small glass house and a toy train to take you around the garden.

This a lord Ganesh (elephant god) temple. Legend has it that this idol was preserved by keeping it buried under sand (manakula mean inside sand in Tamil). The temple elephant can be seen in this photograph.

This quite innocuous building is the Aurobindo ashram. It contains the samadhis of Sri Aurobindo and mother.

Though Pondicherry is a coastal town it does not have any sandy beaches. The coastline is filled with rocks to project it from the sea. However, at low tide you do get the chance to go for a few meters. The upside is the entire beach front is converted into a paved walkway and is it great to walk up and down. There are atleast a dozen historic sites to see opposite the walk way.

The Gandhi Memorial is on the sea walk way. The pillars that sorround Gandhi Statue has some fine carvings.

This is a meorial for all the French soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. It lies almost opposite to the Gandhi Memorial.

The town is dotted by many beautiful churches, some small and some large. The bottom right is the biggest and the best - Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

The 2 most beautiful (and big) churches. Left : The Our Lady of Angels church and Right: Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

A grand statue of Governor Dupleix (the most popular French governor of Pondicherry) lies at the southern tip of the sea walk, next to the Park Guest House.

A picture of the old light house (I dont think it is in use), next to the war memorial. This picture was taken in the evening as the sun was setting.

You will find a lot of terracota works all around Pondicherry. This is a rare Saraswathi (goddess of learning) idol.

One more French legacy. The police dressed similar to the French gendarme.

Another beautiful place to see is the Bharati Park (close to the Ashram and behind the French Consulate). This monument lies in the center of the Park and named in honour of courtesan Aayi in whose name there is a tank.

The Chunnambar backwaters resort is around 6 Kms from Pondicherry city. The water is very calm and you can have boat and kayak rides there.

Auroville is around 15Kms from Pondy city. Unfortunately they dont allow photographs inside and hence I have nothing to show. There is a meditation hall with an enormous dome and allegedly the world's largest Crystal ball. Worth visiting, but, too silent for me.