Start your day at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo and his disciple, The Mother. Spend your morning exploring the ashram's gardens and museum, which houses important artifacts and information about Sri Aurobindo's teachings. For lunch, head to Surguru Spot, located 5 minutes from the ashram, to sample traditional South Indian cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the Manakula Vinayagar Temple, which is a 5-minute walk from Surguru Spot. The temple features a beautiful elephant statue and is a popular pilgrimage site. In the evening, take a stroll along the Promenade Beach, located 10 minutes from the temple, to enjoy the sunset and cool sea breeze.
Start your day early and head to Auroville, an experimental township founded by The Mother. Spend your morning exploring the Matrimandir, a golden spherical structure that serves as the town's spiritual centre. Note that advance bookings are required to visit the Matrimandir. For lunch, head to Tanto Pizzeria, located 10 minutes from Auroville, to enjoy wood-fired pizzas and other Italian dishes. In the afternoon, visit the Auroville Beach, located 15 minutes from Tanto Pizzeria, to relax and enjoy the serene atmosphere. In the evening, head back to Puducherry and visit the Botanical Garden, located 20 minutes from Auroville Beach. The garden features a wide variety of flora, including an ancient banyan tree.
Consider visiting the French Quarter to explore the colonial architecture and enjoy French cuisine. Also, consider taking a day trip to Mahabalipuram, located 1.5 hours from Puducherry, to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of ancient stone carvings and temples.