Pondichery Logs

I really wanted to "give time a break". It’s been long time I have been thinking of going to Pondicherry , Chidambaram, Pichavaram!!

The city has a distinct french feel to it even now. Especially places near the beach road. Roads meet at perfect right angles, many streets still have french names and the place is so clean that you wouldn’t feel you are in an Indian city.

Appealing, serene Pondicherry… it’s one place that entices you with its laid-back, hassle-free, old-world charm. As you sit soaking in the warm sun close to the beach on the main Pondi road — that fortunately is minus any traffic and hence a boon for walkers.

Auro Ville

Journey niceties:

Bangalore to Podicherry:  Yesvantpur-Puducherry Garib Rath Express/12255.

Pondicherry to Bangalore: KSRTC Rajahamsa Executive

Things to do in Pondicherry:

1.       French Architecture

2.       Temples

3.       Sri Aurobindo Ashram

4.       Auroville

5.       Auro Beach

6.       Art Galleries

Promenade

Things to do around Pondicherry:

1.       Pichavaram Backwaters/Mangrove Forest

2.       Chidambaram Temple

3.       Mahabalipuram

We visited Pichavaram & Chidambaram as it is in the same route.

Best time to Visit

During October to January

I have personally been there during January, the weather was good. Not very hot.

Boat House

All set for Pondicherry

Hiring a vehicle?

JP Two wheelers: Mission Street
Oppo to Krishna Sweets- Pondicherry
Ph: Durairaj: 9894104747
        Raja:9943593675,9894121133

Hunting for Lodge:
Roof Top Guest House, Aurobeach
Phone: Kumar 09443287324
we had taken Boat House but not so good. Just a new experience. Strictly not for Ladies.
Many good resorts which are in budgeted as well good need to explore that’s it.

Port Area Pondicherry

Pichavaram the second largest Mangrove forest in the world, near the temple town of Chidambaram , is one of the unique Eco-tourism spots in South India. The Pichavaram mangroves are considered among the healthiest mangrove occurrence in the world. Pichavaram consists of a number of islands interspersing a vast expanse of water covered with green trees. The Pichavaram mangrove biotope, with its peculiar topography and environmental condition, supports the existence of many rare varieties of economically important shell and finfishes.

Boating more than 2 hrs will be boring. People say they will take still inside the forest but whatever package we had taken for 2 hrs made us happy! In case anybody wants to spend some more time in the boat can do by shelling out some currency for the boat rider. Better to take rowe boat instead motor because motor boat will not go deep inside the Mangroves.

Boating Time: 9.AM to 5 PM
ROW charge: 72rs Per Head
Rower charge: 120rs
Saradharam Resorts Pichavaram: 04144-249399

Inside Backwaters

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple:

It was 2^nd time I am visiting Chidambaram. 1^st time in the year 2004 I visited at the time I had come for South India University Badminton Match at Annamalai University. But I dint get a chance to visit temple.

History: Since ancient times, it is believed that this is the place where Shiva and his consort Parvati are present, but invisible to most people. In the temple, Chidambara Ragasiyam is hidden by a curtain (symbolic of Maya). Worship, or darshan is possible only when priests open the curtain for special pujas. Behind the curtain are golden leaves, as from the Aegle Marmelos tree, signifying the presence of Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that saints can see the gods in their physical form.

Chidambaram Natraja Temple

The phrase "Chidambara Ragasiyam" really means something different. The pharse literally means a secret associated to Chidambaram - the place. Behind this is a real meaning to a secret. As described above there is a particular curtain kind of curtain which when removed enables us viewing the secret. The real significance of doing so is that, when the curtain which is "maya" is removed one can see his real self. And the seeing of oneself removing the curtain of maya is viewing the secret. According to legend, "Chidambara Ragasiyam" will never be revealed as it is the secret relating to a particular person who sees it removing the screen of "maya". In the temple, when the poojas are performed and the screen is removed, one will be able to see the secret only when he applies this to his mind and soul. To Realise oneself.

(Courtesy Google)

 I am obsessed with travelling and will continue to be thrilled by the beauty and chaos.