Visited this awesome place called Pondicherry about a month or so ago. It was a memorable trip indeed and it had all to do with the place. Won't rave more about Pondy as there are umpteen websites & blogs which do the same. Will instead give all details need to take a drive to Pondy.
Destination: Bangalore-Pondicherry Route
Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri- Chengam-Tiruvannamalai-Gingee-Tindivanam-Pondicherry
Distance 340 km
At Krishnagiri take a left leading towards Chennai and within about half a km you got to take an immediate right. Keep a lookout for the sign else you can miss it.
Why drive?:
The roads are fantastic, well maintained and not much of traffic. Better than going via Chennai.
Enroute Stopovers
Tiruvanamalai is a holy town replete with ashrams, temples & holy mountains. The gigantic Arunachalam Mountain makes an awesome view. Chenji Fort falls between Tiruvannamalai & Tindivanam and is worth a brief stopover.
Fuel Stations
Hosur, Krishnagiri, Chengam, Tiruvannamalai, Tindivanam
Hotels & Restrooms
The drive is not very long nor very tedious hence one stop for lunch/breakfast should suffice. No hotels or eateries like Kamat's Yatri Nivas are available but a number of small time restaurants within these townships will do. HP petrol pumps have clean restrooms.
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Places to stay in Pondy
St. James court Beach Resort
This is a pleasant and peaceful beach resort located along the coastal line of bay of Bengal on the East Coast Road 9 km. out side Pondicherry Town. St. James court is an ideal Place for Holidaying peacefully. Situated on the seashore in a sprawling land space of 3.5 acres. St. James court Beach resort has spacious, Exotic twin Luxurious cottages with Air conditioner, Colour TV, Refrigerator, Telephones and all comforts for the maximum luxury. Trained personnel engaged to express the synonym of extreme hospitality and give personalized service for complete satisfaction.
Location
Situated 9 kms from Pondicherry City on the New East Coast Road leading Chennai, 11 kms from Pondicherry Bus stand and Railway Station, 4 kms from Auriville an International Town ship, 136 kms from Chennai.
Accommodation and Facilities
Air conditioned twin cottages, Money Changer, Telephones, Safety Deposit Lockers, Satellite channels, 24 hours Hot Water, Round the Clock Room Service, In House Laundry, Children play area, Games, Beach Sports & other Entertainment, Banquet Hall for Conferences & Parties Travel Agent.
Dining
Multicusine Restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and French Foods. Open air Restaurant for Tandoori & Mughulai Foods. Cosy Bar.
Price: Luxury cottages at Rs. 1000 (single), Rs. 1195 (double). Others at Rs. 900 (single), Rs. 1150 (double).
Tel: 0413 - 655174, 655275
Deluxe Room - 1250 - - Tax As app.
Mini Suite - 1800 - - Tax As app.
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HOTEL JAYARAM is a decent and economic hotel
Adyar ananda bhavan hotel(named A2B) offers tasty food at attractive prices
Park Guest House has 80 rooms, with each a distinctive name (”Harmony”, “Surrender”, etc.) Most rooms with balcony are facing directly the sea, overlooking a beautiful garden.
Breakfast and lunch available. Laundry service and bicycles for rent.
Price: Rs. 150 - 200 (non a/c) and 600-800 (a/c's)
Address: 1, Goubert Avenue, Pondicherry - 605001
Phone: 2334412
Fax: 2344412
Email: parkgh@sriaurobindoashram.org
Office Hours: 8.00 am - 12.00 noon, 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm
[We stayed at Park Guest House. Its a nice place & they have a canteen type facility too. But the place comes with its own reservations. No staying out longer than 10:30, no food available after 7:00 and they dont entertain telephone reservations nor emails. Take the A/c rooms, non-a/c's keep you awake all night fighting mosquitoes.]
* International Guest House with 50 rooms is centrally situated.
Serves breakfast, does laundry.
* Cottage Guest House has 35 mostly simple rooms.
Budget Hotels
Executive Inn (AC) 11-suite hotel
Diningroom available.
Price: Rs. 800.
Tel: 0413 - 224422, 330929
* Fillo Hotel (AC) has a vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurant and a bar.
Price: Rs. 150 - 400.
Tel: 0413 - 339427
Hotel Jayarampondicherry tourism
* Hotel Jayaram with 55 satellite TV rooms and suites.
Price: Rs. 350 - 800.
Tel: 0413 - 227191
* Hotel Ram International with satellite TV rooms and suites.
Price: Rs.250 - 625
Tel: 0413 - 337230 (7 lines)
* Red Carpet Residence has furnished service appartments.
Price: Call them for price.
Tel: 0413 - 251253, 341812, 253321, 251207
* Sooriya International has 3 restaurants.
Price: Rs. 400 - 750.
Tel: 0413 - 336856, 227485 (9 lines)
* Surguru with Anugraha restaurant
Price: Rs. 410 - 770
Tel: 0413 - 339022 (5 lines), 227290 (7 lines)
Kasha Ki Aasha, 23 Surcouf Street near the French Lycee - Best Breakfast
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What to see
1. Manakula vinayagar temple
2. Varadharaja perumal temple.
3. Vedhapureeswarar temple
4. City beach
5. Auroville beach
6. Auroville matrimandir
7. Chunnambar boat house(MUST SEE).
8. Port passage.
9. Sunday market
10. Folk Dance on the Beach Road Boulevard
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Citibank ATM
L.B S Street
Pondicherry
Mon-Fri - 10:00 A.m - 6:00P.m
Satday - 10:00a.m - 2:00p.m
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Comments
Kasha Vande
Owner of Kasha Ki Aasha