11 Awesome Things to do in Puducherry, India
Discover 11 awesome things to do in Puducherry.
Puducherry is in the Tamil Nadu region of India, approximately halfway between Madurai and Chennai.
This overview of things to do in Puducherry gives a short review of each of the “things to do” as well as links to more detailed reviews (where applicable) which include directions, pictures and other useful information.
Right Picture: Arikamedu Ruins.
Featured Picture: Joan of Arc park with the church in the background.
Things to do in Puducherry
1. Promenade Beach
This is not a swimming beach (at least I didn’t see anyone swimming in it) but is probably better known for its “beauty”. It is quite a long stretch. I’m almost certain that they have put the sand there for effect.
The sand doesn’t meet the water. I think the sand was put there for effect.
2. Gandhi Memorial
This memorial for the respected Gandhi can be found along the Promenade.
Gandhi is everywhere in India.
3. Old Lighthouse
All you can do is take a picture from the outside. There is also a new lighthouse (on I assume is in use) which I didn’t check out.
Just point and click. Nothing else to be done at the Old Lighthouse.
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4. Puducherry Museum
Not a bad little museum. You are not aloud to take pictures inside but there are a few small exhibitions including rocks, weapons, transportation, money, French stuff, etc. 50INR for foreigners.
At least the museum is interactive, i.e., you are allowed inside it.
5. Auroville
When I first looked at Auroville as a place to go I glazed over it, but since I was in the area I decided to go. I am happy I did. It is a pretty impressive thing they are doing there.
The “soul” of the experimental city known as Auroville.
6. Beach Market
I took this picture during the day but at night it comes alive with snack foods and other stuff for sale.
The beach market opens at night.
7. Arikamedu Ruins
I hired a motorbike for the day (250INR) to see Auroville so also used it to check out these ruins which I read about in the museum (#4).
Arikamedu Ruins ain’t no Machi Pichu but they are ruins none-the-less.
8. Bharathi Park
Thuis park is located just north of the beach. It is a nice park. Not huge.
A monument inside Bharathi Park.
9. Joan of Arc Park
The gate was not locked but it was closed. Does it mean you can or can not enter? Its just a small park with a statue of Joan of Arc. I’m not sure of the significance. I guess the French put it there back in the day.
The Joan of Arc statue from the front.
10. Puducherry Promenade
At night traffic is banned and it fills up with people. I’m not sure if that happens every night or just the weekend. This was on a Friday night.
A crowded promenade on a warm Friday night.
11. Puducherry Botanical Garden
Puducherry Botanical Gardens was nowhere near as good as I thought it would be, and to be honest I didn’t have very high expectations to begin with.
One of the parks in the Puducherry Botanical Garden.
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Getting To Puducherry
I caught a bus from Madurai since a train would have meant have to swap halfway through.
I wanted an air-conditioned sleeper bus but apparently it broke down so I got the non-aircon sleeper. Luckily it was night and with the windows open I didn’t need the air-con anyway.
It took six and a half hours to get to Puducherry from Madurai and we arrived at about 0500. Luckily it was faily close to the Hotel Sarvamangalam Inn where I had booked my first night.
Have you been to Puducherry before? Help out other readers and leave your tips on things to do in Puducherry (or anything else you want to say) in the comments 
