Start your first day at the Promenade Beach, which stretches for 1.5 km along Goubert Avenue. Take a morning stroll and savor the sea breeze. You can also take a bike ride or go for a swim in the Bay of Bengal. Don't miss the French War Memorial and the Pondicherry Lighthouse located nearby. After building up an appetite, head to one of the restaurants along the beach, serving a range of cuisines from Indian to Mughlai to Continental.
Next, visit the Aurobindo Ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa (The Mother). The ashram is a spiritual retreat that has attracted seekers from around the world for decades. Take a guided tour of the ashram and experience the tranquility it offers. You can also visit the Auroville, an experimental township about 12 km from the ashram. Don't forget to visit the Bharati Government Park, which is just a short walk from the ashram.
Start your second day by visiting the popular Manakula Vinayagar Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple is known for its elephant blessings, and you can also offer them bananas. Take in the colorful architecture and the daily rituals performed here. After that, head to Chunnambar Boat House, a backwater destination about 8 km from the city center, where you can take a boat ride through the scenic Paradise Beach. Don't miss the Matrimandir, an iconic meditation center located within the Auroville complex.
Conclude your trip with a visit to the Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper Factory, where you can see the process of making paper from cotton hosiery wastes, and also purchase some handmade stationery. Take a leisurely stroll around the factory gardens and appreciate the beautiful handmade paper products that are sold here. Also, explore the nearby Cluny Embroidery Center, which has a wide range of embroidery products.
If you have more time, you can visit other places like Pondicherry Museum, Ousteri Lake, Serenity Beach, and Puducherry Light House. If you have less time, you can skip Chunnambar Boat House and spend more time at the beach or Aurobindo Ashram. Always check the opening and closing times of the places before visiting as they may vary.