Start off your trip with a relaxing visit to the serene Pondicherry Beach. Lounge on the soft sands, watch the waves roll in, and enjoy being surrounded by nature. Take a dip in the calm waters or try some water sports such as kayaking or jet skiing, or just soak up some sun while getting lost in the pages of a good book.
Visit Matrimandir, a spectacular golden orb that's located in the center of Auroville. The architectural masterpiece is a meditation space that took over three decades to build and offers an otherworldly atmosphere for visitors. You can look around the beautiful gardens and learn about the building's history, or even book a meditation session.
Explore the wildlife of Periyar National Park, covering 300 square miles of dense forest, this is one of India's most biodiverse areas. Periyar Wildlife Safari is the most excellent way to explore its beautiful scenery and observe some of the world's rarest animals, such as the Bengal tiger, elephants, leopards, and many species of birds.
If you have more time, you can go for scuba diving at Pondicherry or indulge in some water sports at the beaches of Kovalam. Similarly, if you have less time, you can skip Matrimandir altogether and visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram or Auroville. Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunblock, and comfortable clothing with you as it gets very hot in these places.