Two-Day Itinerary for Pondicherry

1. Day 1: Sri Aurobindo Ashram
   10 minutes (2 kilometers) from Pondicherry Railway Station

   Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual community founded by Sri Aurobindo and his follower Mirra Alfassa. The ashram comprises several buildings where residents live, work and meditate. Visitors can explore the ashram's buildings, gardens and attend the evening meditation.

2. Day 1: Pondicherry Museum
   15 minutes (3 kilometers) from Sri Aurobindo Ashram

   The Pondicherry Museum is home to a diverse collection of art and artifacts from the French and British colonial periods. The museum showcases a superb collection of stone and bronze sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties. The highlight is the Chola bronze gallery, with intricately designed statues from the 9th to 13th centuries.

3. Day 1: Promenade Beach
   10 minutes (2 kilometers) from Pondicherry Museum

   Promenade Beach is a long sandy beach flanked by a pedestrian walkway, popularly known as the French War Memorial. Visitors can walk along the promenade and watch the waves crashing against the sea wall. The nearby stretch of Goubert Avenue has plenty of cafes, restaurants and street food vendors.

4. Day 2: Auroville
   20 minutes (9 kilometers) from Promenade Beach

   Auroville is an experimental township that aims to be a universal city, free from politics and religion. Visitors can walk through the lush greenery and explore the architecture, including the Matrimandir, a meditation space with a striking golden dome. A visit to Auroville is incomplete without trying the organic food, available at several cafes and restaurants.

5. Day 2: Chunnambar Boat House
   20 minutes (8 kilometers) from Auroville

   Chunnambar Boat House is a riverside attraction where visitors can take a boat ride across the backwaters and reach a nearby beach. The boat ride offers a leisurely experience as you pass through the serene waters and mangrove forests. Upon reaching Paradise Beach, visitors can relax on the sandy shore with a stunning view of the Bay of Bengal.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Sri Aurobindo Ashram (1 hour, free)
• Pondicherry Museum (1.5 hours, INR 10 for Indians and INR 250 for foreigners)
• Promenade Beach (2 hours, free)
• Auroville (3 hours, free)
• Chunnambar Boat House (2.5 hours, INR 10 for Indians and INR 300 for foreigners)

Total Estimated Costs: INR 570 for foreigners and INR 20 for Indians

Useful Tips

If you have an extra day, consider visiting the Arikamedu Archaeological Site, a former Chola port where excavations have revealed Roman trading settlements. Another option is to explore the nearby Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses several rock-cut temples and shrines.

If you have less time, skip Chunnambar Boat House and spend more time exploring Auroville or visiting the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.