Puducherry is not just about the serene beaches or the overpriced cafes. Each of its colourful streets has a different story to tell. It is indeed a vibrant city with beautiful French architecture.
This girls’ trip to Puducherry on a random weekend turned out to be one of the best travel experiences for me. The people, the places, the pictures—everything still holds my heart.
We began our journey from Chennai bus station, travelled through the rural villages of Tamil Nadu for almost four hours, and reached Puducherry.
The White Town of Puducherry, known as the French headquarters, is filled with French architecture, mustard-yellow walls, and still holds European influences. The legacy is still visible in its cuisines and cafes.
This French colony is popular for its charming cafes, book stalls, local handicrafts, and antique shops. These aesthetic cafes serve a wide range of lip-smacking dishes like croissants, sandwiches, coffee, and French-inspired pastries and desserts, which enhanced our taste buds. There were also many book stalls that caught our eyes. The unique handmade jewellery and vibrant handicrafts reflect the city’s rich culture and heritage.
More than that, the French Colony is exceptionally photogenic, making it a prime destination for photographers. We had a great time there, clicking some beautiful pictures. We also had the opportunity to participate in a theatre workshop led by a group from Bombay.
At night, Puducherry is in its full glow. The streets become lively with vibrant lights, music, dance and parties. We wandered through the streets of Pondicherry and had an amazing street shopping experience. The colourful stalls, with different varieties of items ranging from handicrafts to clothing are a heaven for street shoppers. But make sure you bargain while shopping from these shops. They charge very high price for tourists but with a little negotiation we managed to get some amazing offers.
The next day, we headed towards Auroville, one of the top tourist attractions in Puducherry. We had to walk a long distance to reach the 'Matrimandir,' a huge golden sphere situated at its centre. It provides a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere with a blend of art and architecture. We also attended an art exhibition there.
On our way back we struggled to find a way to get to our destination since the auto drivers asked for high prices. That’s when a group of natives helped us get on their bus, which was heading in the same direction. We felt grateful for their kindness and hospitality. During our trip we encountered several instances where random strangers went out of their way to help us from giving directions to recommending the best local eateries.
Besides the positive aspects, auto rides in Puducherry were quite expensive. They demanded very high fares even for short distances. Renting a scooter is the perfect way to get around.
In the evening, we visited the picturesque beaches of Puducherry and witnessed the breathtaking sunset views. The beaches were clean and well maintained with several beach side cafes and food-spots nearby.
At night we boarded our train with a heart full of memories. It was a trip to be remembered forever. From the crowded streets to the charming cafes, every corner of this coastal town has got my heart.
Nila Satheesh is a student at the Manorama School of Communication, Kottayam, Kerala.
