Pondicherry is the capital city of Indian union territory of Puducherry situated in Puducherry district of the union territory. It is affectionately known as Pondy, and has been officially known by the alternative name Puducherry since 2006.

Pondicherry's colonial buildings, churches, temples and statues combined with the systematic town planning and planned French style avenues have made it a popular tourist destination in South India.

Puducherry is also popular for its eateries that cover a wide variety of cuisines ranging from French, Indian and Italian to Mexican, Thai and Chinese. Some restaurants also serve a unique Indo-French cuisine that gives tourists a taste of Puducherry's colonial influences.

Some of the must see tourist spots in Pondicherry have been discussed here to help you closely discover the beautiful destinations of the union territory for your next trip:

1. Seaside Promenade
Seaside Promenade is one of Pondicherry's star attractions that not only reminds of the glorious French colonisation in the region but also attracts thousands of visitors every day.

Stretching across 1.5 kilometres in length, the seaside boasts of some of the most iconic landmarks of the union territory such as the French War Memorial, Town Hall and Old Lighthouse.

Every attraction in the area has been kept in its original condition through proper maintenance and thought the region remains mostly crowded, the region is pollution free. Several authentic seafood restaurants along with many other food outlets are also located in the area.

2. Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus situated on the south boulevard of Puducherry, is an oriental specimen of Gothic architecture. It contains rare stained glass panels depicting events from the life of Christ and saints of the Catholic Church. It has become one of the famous pilgrimage spots for Christians in the recent years.

This 100 years old historical church is 50 mts. long 48 mts. wide and 18 mts. high with Latin rite cross shape in aerial view in Gothic style. 24 main columns hold the structure. The biblical verse from 2 Chronicles 7:16 is written above the entrance door in Latin.

The church has been led by twenty parish priests. The Grotto for Our Lady of Lourdes, Parish Hall, Adoration chapel and the new parish community hall were some of the development of this church since the 1960s.Statues of the four evangelists were erected, beneath which there four lamp posts are describing their lives and the inviting Jesus and the twelve apostles on the front facade.

3. Serenity Beach
Serenity Beach is a ten minutes’ drive to the north of the town and one of the most beautiful beaches in Pondicherry. Pristine golden sands lapped by shimmering waters of the Bay of Bengal make this beach one of the most visited tourist attractions of the area.

Surfing is very popular here and a surf school, a cafe and a weekend flea bazaar are some of the other attractions that draw tourists to this mesmerizing beach.

4. Chunnambar Boat House & Water Sports Centre
Chunnambar Boat House & Water Sports Centre located 8 km from the city of Pondicherry and along the Cuddalore Main Road is a favourite tourist destination. The place is ideal for water sports and sun bathing. Pristine sands and shades of the crystal clear blue sea add to the heavenly beauty of this place.

The Chunnambar backwaters are quite beautiful and the tourists have an option for overnight stay in a tree house on the backwater. Chunnambar Beach and Backwater Resort are also located near the Chunnambar backwater. The beach at the mouth of the backwaters is called, Plage Paradiso or the Paradise Beach.

Tourists can also take a short cruise to the serene sea and enjoy the playful sights of dolphins horsing around. A ferry to the Paradise beach is also available from the Chunnambar Water Sports Centre.

5. The Statue of Dupleix
Joseph-François, Marquis Dupleix was the Governor-General of French India. Dupleix left Puducherry in 1754, French recognition of his contribution came only in 1870, with the commissioning of two statues-one in Puducherry and the other in France. It is now situated in Goubert Avenue at the end of Promenade Beach. One of the most famous attractions in Pondicherry, The Statue of Dupleix reminds you of the strong French roots in the region.

In the statue, Dupleix wears a Curt dress with bag wig and long riding boots; in his right hand is a plan of Puducherry, his left reposing on the hilt of his sword. Dupleix is represented as a man of commanding stature. In the large nose and massive under jaw, some resemblance may be traced to Oliver Oromwel as commonly represented in his portraits.

6. Raj Nivas
Raj Nivas is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. Once it was the official residence of the French Governors. The Raj Nivas is beautiful within as it is on the outside .It has a valuable collection of ancient artefacts such as crockery, brass and silver wares, crockery, delicate porcelain, coins, statues, vases, antique furniture and grand piano which add a rich and regal ambiance to it.

An eco-initiative to reuse, reduce and recycle has been adopted at the Raj Nivas. The kitchen always follows the mantra of serving local, organic food sourced from local producers. It also supports local artisans and craftsman by ensuring that all gifts, mementos and decorative are sourced specifically from Puducherry.

It is not open to the general public except on certain national holidays like Republic Day on 26 January, when it is adorned with lights and looks rather impressive.

7. Pondicherry Botanical Gardens
Pondicherry Botanical Gardens is located at the southern entrance of city bus stand. The Botanical Gardens is 178 years old and adds great educational and recreational value to Puducherry.

The gate leading to the garden is reminiscent of French architecture and stands out from its immediate surroundings since it is in the middle of the old Tamil town. This 22 acres garden houses more than 1500 species of plants with every plant labelled with its scientific, common and Tamil names.

The Garden is laid out in the ornate French style, with pruned trees, flower beds and gravel lined paths and fountains. It also has a musical fountain which is active over the weekends, with two shows in the evening.

8. Bharati Park
Bharati Park is in the green centre of the French Town and has become one of the favourite picnic spots in Puducherry. The famous monument of Aayi Mandapam dotted with ancient sculptures and not so ancient statues from which four lanes divide the Park in almost four equal parts has become an important tourist attraction of the park.

9. French War Memorial
The French War Memorial on Goubert Avenue in Southern India is a reminder of those brave soldiers who laid down their lives, for their country during the First World War. It was built in 1971. Every year on 14 July (Bastille Day) the memorial is beautifully illuminated and homage is paid to those brave martyrs.

10. Sri Aurobindo Ashram
The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a well-known spiritual ashram in India, with devotees and seekers from India and all over the world flocking to it for spiritual salvation. The Ashram was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo Ghose, an Indian freedom fighter, poet, philosopher and yogi. Its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science.

It is open to the public but children below 3 years of age are not allowed into the ashram. Some of the Ashram’s facilities like the Library and the Main Building can be accessed, only after obtaining a gate pass from the Bureau Central or some of the Ashram Guest Houses.

11. Auroville
Auroville or the City of Dawn is an experimental township in Viluppuram district mostly in the state of Tamil Nadu, India with some parts in the Union Territory of Puducherry in South India. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as "the Mother").

It is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity.[8] During the inauguration ceremony of Auroville on 28 February 1968, soil from 124 countries was placed in a lotus-shaped urn and mixed to symbolize universal oneness.

In the middle of the town is the Matrimandir, which has been acclaimed as "an outstanding and original architectural achievement." It was conceived by Alfassa as "a symbol of Universal Mother". Although originally intended to house 50,000, the actual population today is 2,007 coming from 44 nationalities, 836 of whom are of Indian origin.

12. Ousteri Wetland and National Park
Ousteri Wetland and National Park lay 10 km from Pondicherry town on the Pondicherry-Villuppuram road. It is spread across an area of 3sq kms on the border of Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu with a wide range of aquatic species and is mainly a bird sanctuary. The vegetation ranges from small herbs to trees, which supports migratory avifauna as well as native birds during summer and winter. Tourists can avail the house boat facilities provided by the park authorities.

13. Manakula Vinayagar Temple
Manakula Vinayagar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to god Ganesa in the Union Territory of Puducherry. The temple is of considerable antiquity and predates French occupation of the territory.

The temple is 400 meters West of Bay of Bengal Sea, 165 km South of Chennai (Capital of Tamil Nadu State), 23 km of North of Cuddalore and 35 km East of Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu. The main deity “Manakula Vinayagar” (Pranavamurthy) of this temple is facing east and the temple is bordered on east by Orlean Street (Now Manakula Vinayagar Koil Street), south by Jawaharlal Nehru Street, north by Law-de-Louristhon street and west by a canal running north-south.

14. The French Institute of Pondicherry
The French Institute of Pondicherry is a French financially autonomous institution in Puducherry under the joint supervision of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). It is a part of the network of 27 research centres connected with the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

15. Kargil War Memorial
Kargil War Memorial situated on the Beach Street, opposite to the Chief Secretariat Office at the northern end of the main Puducherry Beach will touch your soul and make you feel proud to be an Indian.

It was built by the Indian Army to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought the dreaded and unforgettable war of Kargil and lay down their lives for the safety of our country.

The main memorial has an inscription on a marble plate that says “Government of India War Memorial” with a rifle and a soldier’s cap over it. There is an array of stone pillars of variable lengths that surround the memorial.

Wide boulevards, beautiful beaches, French architecture, old churches places of spiritual importance make Pondicherry a must visit destination in India. Once a French colony, the city is a beautiful amalgamation of Indian culture and European styles. Pondy offers glimpses of an era that is a blend of French culture, Dutch colonization, British style and Indian heritage making it a destination you would not want to miss.