Start your day with a visit to the serene Aurobindo Ashram which was founded by Sri Aurobindo Ghose. The ashram is known for its spiritual practices, meditation sessions and a library with an extensive collection of books. It is a perfect place to start your journey to explore the spiritual side of Pondicherry. You can also attend the evening meditation session with the ashram residents. After that, you can head over to the nearby Auroville, a universal town with an experimental community, and enjoy a healthy lunch at one of the many organic cafes.
After lunch, take a walk along the picturesque Promenade Beach. The beach road is a 1.2 km stretch with a beautiful view of the Bay of Bengal. You can also enjoy various street performances, food stalls and souvenir shops on the beach road. The best time to visit is in the evening as the sea breeze and the sunset view are spectacular. After that, head to La Villa Shanti, one of the finest French restaurants in Pondicherry, for dinner.
Start your day with a visit to the 17th-century Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, dedicated to the elephant god Ganesha. The temple is famous for its 40 different forms of Ganesha statues and intricate carvings on the walls. It is also home to a live elephant named Lakshmi, who blesses the devotees with her trunk. After this, you can head over to the nearby Pondicherry Museum, which showcases the history, culture and architecture of Pondicherry.
After lunch, visit the Botanical Garden, which is home to a wide variety of exotic plants and trees. The garden has an aquarium, a toy train, and a musical fountain show in the evenings. It is a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature's beauty. After that, head to Surguru, a popular vegetarian restaurant in Pondicherry, for dinner.
If you are interested in architecture, visit the Matrimandir in Auroville, which is an actual meditation center and a marvel of modern architecture. If you are an art lover, visit the Pondy ART gallery on Bussy Street, which showcases contemporary art by local and international artists. For fun, you can go on a heritage walk in the French Quarter with a local guide or take a bike tour around the city.