Shoestring Budget 2-Day Itinerary for Pondicherry

  1. Day 1: Explore the City
    Estimated time from previous location: 0 minutes

    Pondicherry is a city with rich French architecture and a unique culture. Begin your day by exploring the Promenade Beach and visit the famous Mahatma Gandhi Statue. After that, take a walk to the French Consulate and also visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is a yoga center founded in 1926.

    Next, walk to the Pondicherry Botanical Garden which is home to various exotic species of flora and fauna. Finally, visit the Bharati Government Park, which is a large public park with fountains, lake, and several monuments.

  2. Day 2: Visit Temples and Villages
    Estimated time from previous location: 20 minutes (6.3 km)

    Start your day by visiting the famous Manakula Vinayagar Temple which is popular for its elephant blessings. After that, visit the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, which is the largest church in Pondicherry.

    Next, take a taxi to the nearby Auroville Village which was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, also known as The Mother. It is a universal town where people from all over the world live together in harmony. You can also visit the Matri Mandir, which is a dome-shaped temple dedicated to the divine mother.

    Finally, take a taxi to Paradise Beach, which is one of the most peaceful and beautiful beaches in India. You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing here.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Promenade Beach (1 hour, free)
  • Mahatma Gandhi Statue (10 minutes, free)
  • French Consulate (15 minutes, free)
  • Sri Aurobindo Ashram (1 hour, free)
  • Pondicherry Botanical Garden (45 minutes, Rs 20)
  • Bharati Government Park (30 minutes, free)
  • Manakula Vinayagar Temple (45 minutes, free)
  • Immaculate Conception Cathedral (45 minutes, free)
  • Auroville Village (2 hours, free)
  • Matri Mandir (1 hour, free)
  • Paradise Beach (2 hours, Rs 300 round trip by taxi)
  • Total Estimated Costs: Rs 320

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can explore more beaches like Serenity Beach and Auroville Beach. You can also take a cycling tour around the city.

If you have less time, you can skip the Bharati Government Park, Manakula Vinayagar Temple and the Matri Mandir.

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