Is Pondicherry worth it?

datspreets · Jul 9th, 2008, 17:54

Hi,

I'll be Chennai from 31st August to 3rd September for a cousins wedding. I'll get a full day off from the ceremonies and I was keen on visiting Pondicherry.

From what I've read here, Pondicherry is barely 3 hours away, which means I can visit pondicherry, sight-see there and come back on the same day. Also, there isn't much to see apart from Aurobindo Ashram, some temple, french architecture, beach...if I left out something, please post it as a reply...

Now, my relatives are trying to convince me that there isn't much to see in Pondicherry. As per them, it is a very over-rated destination and I should rather travel somewhere else (mahabalipuram/tirupati ruled out as i've already been there).

I need an honest opinion from you guys. Is pondicherry worth a visit?/ is it really over-rated?
Will aurobindo ashram stay open on 2nd september? (the day I have free)
If you have a skeletal plan on what to see and in what sequence once in Pondicherry, please let me know.

Thanks in advance!

Radjesh · Jul 9th, 2008, 18:39

Your relatives are right... It is over rated, I am or rather I was a resident of Pondicherry for 22 years. I always wonder what tourists find so amusing about this place. Skip it and head to Mahabalipuram instead.

edwardseco · Jul 9th, 2008, 22:46

There was a New York Times travel article on Pondy. Its not my kind of place but some people groove on that "spiritual" stuff..

rajeev1008 · Jul 10th, 2008, 08:45

Auroville is another attraction for the likes of me

. The Matri Mandir with whole of its outside plated in real Gold is a marvel, if nothing else.

zoltan · Jul 10th, 2008, 09:37

Quote:

Skip it and head to Mahabalipuram instead.

Totally agree.

Didn't like Pondi enough to stay more than 2 days. Have been to Mamallapuram twice for a number of days each time. LOVE the ability of the stone carvers.

[/quote]The Matri Mandir with whole of its outside plated in real Gold is a marvel, if nothing else[/quote]
It was certainly interesting but having to wait in line; not speak a word or make any sounds for the entire time of being there was a little weird - control freaks (?).

Cheers
Zoltan

Nick-H · Jul 10th, 2008, 10:53

I like Pondy more the more I see it!

Its charm to visitors is its difference to Tamil Nadu; the contrast that the French thing gives. To those more local, the more-freely available alcohol is an attraction.

Is It worth seeing? Yes, I think so.

Is it worth seeing if you have only one day? Hmmm...

six hours travel. Do you already know Chennai well enough to spend that much of your free day in a car?

Scandojazzbuff · Jul 10th, 2008, 11:32

I agree with all posters, but, I think it is worth a visit but not a same day return as Nick suggests. Pondy is pleasant and different looking. Staying in a heritage hotel is nice, especially in India. Auroville? Not my interest. French presence, food, charm, yes. Mammalapuram is better, much better with the great Pallava ruins spread all over the place. Even for a 2nd or 3rd visit.

Nick-H · Jul 10th, 2008, 15:40

I recommend that trips should include ordinary time spent in ordinary towns. Indian life does not happen at sites!

If a person is visiting TN, then, even leaving out the whole ashram thing, which I have not seen so far, then Pondy offers a taste of different ordinary life.

If datspreets is coming to a family function, and resident in India, she may well be all too familiar with Ordinary Indian life, ordinary Tamil life, etc already!

ananda2193 · Jul 10th, 2008, 20:53

Everyone recommending Mahabalipuram can forget it as she said she was already there. Never been, but Tiruvannamalai is supposed to be really nice.

mirjamd · Jul 10th, 2008, 21:59

Tiruvannamalai is nice, the temple is beautiful. But it is at least 4 hours by bus from Chennai, so far from an ideal day trip from Chennai.... Then Pondi would be a better option, because at least the road is pretty!

capt_mahajan · Jul 10th, 2008, 22:00

Quote:

need an honest opinion from you guys. Is pondicherry worth a visit?

If one has enough time to take things easy, maybe.

Or if one is an Auroville fan.

Quote:

is it really over-rated?

Yes.

ronsaik · Jul 10th, 2008, 22:29

Completely with Nick. Go for Pondy. The French quarter is so charmingly quaint, one has to see it. A road sign for Rue de La Bourdonnais right after turning off the main road and its Tamil billboards is a shock to be experienced. A Magwich Row or Pegotty Square, through familiarity, would never have the same effect. And never mind if the squid is too scrunchy, those Tamil-French rooftop cafes still serve the best seafood platter in the state.

datspreets · Jul 11th, 2008, 20:33

After reading all your opinions, I'm even more confused. Though Mahabalipuram sounds less hectic and ectiting (i don't remember much of that place anyway...)

Will update you about where i ended up going/plan to go..

Thanks again!

Radjesh · Jul 12th, 2008, 00:02

Welcome to Indiamike

nuclear · Jul 12th, 2008, 21:08

I agree that Pondy is entirely overrated. We spent a single overnight there, and it was too much time. The only thing that saved it was going to Auroville and getting to chuckle at the knuckleheads that live there. The golden golf ball was kind of cool, but that lasts about 10 minutes (after the 10 minute walk). We also saw the elephant that blesses people in the French Quarter. We stayed in a Heritage Hotel, and that too was a highlight. It was beautiful. We were sold on Heritage Hotels after staying in Neemrana up north.

Anyway, we were bored stiff our time there. Granted, between the two families we had 6 kids to entertain, but even without them I think we would have done a lot of sleeping and not much else. The food was OK. And since we're not drinkers, we bought a bottle of wine and called it a day.

Jul 9th, 2008, 17:54	#1
datspreets Dats Preets Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In-Di-Yeah !! Posts: 39	Is Pondicherry worth it? Hi, I'll be Chennai from 31st August to 3rd September for a cousins wedding. I'll get a full day off from the ceremonies and I was keen on visiting Pondicherry. From what I've read here, Pondicherry is barely 3 hours away, which means I can visit pondicherry, sight-see there and come back on the same day. Also, there isn't much to see apart from Aurobindo Ashram, some temple, french architecture, beach...if I left out something, please post it as a reply... Now, my relatives are trying to convince me that there isn't much to see in Pondicherry. As per them, it is a very over-rated destination and I should rather travel somewhere else (mahabalipuram/tirupati ruled out as i've already been there). I need an honest opinion from you guys. Is pondicherry worth a visit?/ is it really over-rated? Will aurobindo ashram stay open on 2nd september? (the day I have free) If you have a skeletal plan on what to see and in what sequence once in Pondicherry, please let me know. Thanks in advance!

Jul 9th, 2008, 18:39	#2
Radjesh Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 683	Your relatives are right... It is over rated, I am or rather I was a resident of Pondicherry for 22 years. I always wonder what tourists find so amusing about this place. Skip it and head to Mahabalipuram instead. __________________ MY 2008 KASHMIR TRIP

Jul 10th, 2008, 10:53	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,863	I like Pondy more the more I see it! Its charm to visitors is its difference to Tamil Nadu; the contrast that the French thing gives. To those more local, the more-freely available alcohol is an attraction. Is It worth seeing? Yes, I think so. Is it worth seeing if you have only one day? Hmmm... six hours travel. Do you already know Chennai well enough to spend that much of your free day in a car? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jul 9th, 2008, 22:46	#3
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,931	There was a New York Times travel article on Pondy. Its not my kind of place but some people groove on that "spiritual" stuff..

Jul 10th, 2008, 08:45	#4
rajeev1008 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Delhi Posts: 195	Auroville is another attraction for the likes of me . The Matri Mandir with whole of its outside plated in real Gold is a marvel, if nothing else.

Jul 10th, 2008, 11:32	#7
Scandojazzbuff Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangkok Posts: 414	I agree with all posters, but, I think it is worth a visit but not a same day return as Nick suggests. Pondy is pleasant and different looking. Staying in a heritage hotel is nice, especially in India. Auroville? Not my interest. French presence, food, charm, yes. Mammalapuram is better, much better with the great Pallava ruins spread all over the place. Even for a 2nd or 3rd visit.

Jul 10th, 2008, 15:40	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,863	I recommend that trips should include ordinary time spent in ordinary towns. Indian life does not happen at sites! If a person is visiting TN, then, even leaving out the whole ashram thing, which I have not seen so far, then Pondy offers a taste of different ordinary life. If datspreets is coming to a family function, and resident in India, she may well be all too familiar with Ordinary Indian life, ordinary Tamil life, etc already!

Jul 10th, 2008, 20:53	#9
ananda2193 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay Posts: 1,486	Everyone recommending Mahabalipuram can forget it as she said she was already there. Never been, but Tiruvannamalai is supposed to be really nice.

Jul 10th, 2008, 21:59	#10
mirjamd Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 318	Tiruvannamalai is nice, the temple is beautiful. But it is at least 4 hours by bus from Chennai, so far from an ideal day trip from Chennai.... Then Pondi would be a better option, because at least the road is pretty!

Jul 10th, 2008, 22:29	#12
ronsaik Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 159	Completely with Nick. Go for Pondy. The French quarter is so charmingly quaint, one has to see it. A road sign for Rue de La Bourdonnais right after turning off the main road and its Tamil billboards is a shock to be experienced. A Magwich Row or Pegotty Square, through familiarity, would never have the same effect. And never mind if the squid is too scrunchy, those Tamil-French rooftop cafes still serve the best seafood platter in the state.

Jul 11th, 2008, 20:33	#13
datspreets Dats Preets Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In-Di-Yeah !! Posts: 39	After reading all your opinions, I'm even more confused. Though Mahabalipuram sounds less hectic and ectiting (i don't remember much of that place anyway...) Will update you about where i ended up going/plan to go.. Thanks again!

Jul 12th, 2008, 00:02	#14
Radjesh Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 683	Welcome to Indiamike

Jul 12th, 2008, 21:08	#15
nuclear Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 31	I agree that Pondy is entirely overrated. We spent a single overnight there, and it was too much time. The only thing that saved it was going to Auroville and getting to chuckle at the knuckleheads that live there. The golden golf ball was kind of cool, but that lasts about 10 minutes (after the 10 minute walk). We also saw the elephant that blesses people in the French Quarter. We stayed in a Heritage Hotel, and that too was a highlight. It was beautiful. We were sold on Heritage Hotels after staying in Neemrana up north. Anyway, we were bored stiff our time there. Granted, between the two families we had 6 kids to entertain, but even without them I think we would have done a lot of sleeping and not much else. The food was OK. And since we're not drinkers, we bought a bottle of wine and called it a day.

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