Pondicherry is a popular tourist destination in South India. After an overnight journey by rail we were in Pondicherry, a town that still retains its French influence from past. Here's a photo tour...
Hotel Bon Sejour, is a beautiful property with its lovely large lawn, comfortable rooms and great food...
Our encounter with elephants in this trip started at the entrance of the hotel. There were a few more elephant encounters that you will see as you scroll through this post...
The elephant sculpture was instantly liked by the kids...
Rohan liked the ride...
We reached the Promenade beach. I was drawn by the beautiful walk along the beach.
Nishant admiring the Gandhi statue at the Promenade beach...
Th
The tall carved pillars around the Gandhi statue pulled me...
The Promenade beach is a rocky beach. People spend hours just watching the waves splash. Nishant wanted a closer feel...
The French acquired Pondicherry in 1674 and held control until 1954 with a few interruptions from the British and the Dutch in between. The buildings around the Promenade Beach have French architecture and style. I decided to go for a long walk and explore the French Quarters...
The streets were neat and well shaded with trees. I was glad to see lots of bicycles in use...
This looked beautiful...
There was a guy selling jewelry. My second encounter of elephants. More to follow...
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, located on rue de la Marine, is one of the most well known ashrams in India.
There are autorickshaws for local transport. I won't recommend hiring them as they charge high non-standard rates. We hired a 7 seater car to get around which turned out more economical and convenient...
Even the policeman wears French style cap...
My walk around the French Quarters rewarded me with this sighting. The master of camouflage...
The heat was getting oppressive so we decided to head back to our comfy hotel room...
Wife was into coffee and the beautiful view through the window...
And this is how Rohan eats noodles...
Auroville (City of Dawn) is an "experimental" township located 8 km north-west of Pondicherry. 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 Matrimandir is an edifice for practitioners of Integral yoga, situated at the centre of Auroville initiated by The Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
It is quite a huge gold plated structure...
The Banyan tree at Auroville is probably more than a hundred years old...
The Auro beach looked more like a fishermen's place with lots of boats...
As we enter the beach, there was a boat pulling in with the days catch...
Soon three boats full of sardines were ready to be sold...
A 100 Kg sack of Sardines was sold for just 10 dollars...
On his first visit to a beach, the waves scared Rohan...
Rohan was clinging to his mother with fear...
After a while he discovered his interest in sand castle building...
I saw this boy collecting money by showing his pierced tongue. I found the act tasteless. Probably as tasteless as his battered tongue...
Next, we headed to Plage Paradiso island. Plage Paradiso island or paradise beach is an isolated beach from the main land by the Chunnambar backwaters. It takes 20 minutes by boat to reach the Paradise beach...
Nishant spotting fishes...
Paradise beach is bigger and neater than Auro beach. The sand of Paradise Beach is soft.
Sand continued to interest Rohan...
Next, we visited the Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar which houses Lord Ganesha, the Hindu god with an elephant head. The temple was in existence before the French came and settled in Pondicherry...
Lakshmi, the temple elephant is very popular. She blesses by placing her trunk on the heads of devotees...
Nishant made Lakshmi work a little harder with his repeated seeking of blessings...
After a while, the elephant got fed up and showed him the tail...
Overall, it was a fun trip. Hope you enjoyed reading the post.
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Seems like a wonderful place to visit.Colourful and beautiful photos and a nice article....
ReplyDeleteNice elephants My mum collects them and has hundreds. Your children are gorgeous. Impressive that statue of Ghandi It's huge What a great trip you had
ReplyDeleteGreat shots
ReplyDeleteVery nice clicks shiju...:)
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. I'd love to receive a blessing from the temple elephant. They are such majestic creatures.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-visit-to-madame-tussauds.html
Looks like a very interesting place to visst with lots of colour. You little boy is very photogenic
ReplyDeleteLooks like a really fun adventure. When my girls were little, they also loved statues like the elephant. For me, it's the real elephant that has my attention.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics. You have captured the places so well.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteI can see why! It's a beautiful destination and your photos are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be blessed by an elephant. Wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteI always love your pictures, and it was really nice to see your family as well. Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Would love to visit India someday. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos. I would love to visit India one day.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-visit-to-madame-tussauds.html
Nice tour pics Shiju! Rohan is growing fast. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots and story. I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteSo many sardines! I love the colourful boats. It looks like a fabulous destination. I'd give that boy money just to take the piercing out!! It is a bit gruesome.
DeleteThat Bunyan tree is amazing :)
That looks like a beautiful place to visit! Thanks for linking up. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful place! Love the photos!!
ReplyDeleteLovely series from interesting places!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and colorful series. I really liked the auto rickshaws tho they do look pretty small. It looks like the family had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. Nice atmosphere and you captured it beautifully. I really like the colourful architecture.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos, Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a gorgeous series of photos and a wonderful family holiday! I was glad to read that you found the tongue piercing "tasteless." Thanks for linking on Amanda's Books and More.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, and the architecture of the area looks stunning! It's a place I've always wanted to visit. I particularly love the shot of the lizard on the tree too! - Tasha
ReplyDeleteAmazing colors and a real cool place to visit!
ReplyDeleteYou really captured the essence of the place, and every photo is just amazing! I love the look of wonder on Rohan's face as he discovered some of the magic of the world.
ReplyDeletelovely pictures! I specially liked the picture of Nishant looking out towards sea and the policeman!
ReplyDeleteSo much to see and do! I love that you have shared such amazing shots with us. Thank you for sharing with us at Photo Friday - we missed you last week!
ReplyDeleteOh, Shiju, I loved this post. Pondicherry has always been on my list of places to visit. I'm glad to see it has retained some of its French heritage. What about the cuisine? Any typical French dishes or wines for you to sample? Pondicherry looks like a lovely place for a family adventure! Of course,I loved all the elephants!
ReplyDeleteOh, Shiju, I loved this post. Pondicherry has always been on my list of places to visit. I'm glad to see it has retained some of its French heritage. What about the cuisine? Any typical French dishes or wines for you to sample? Pondicherry looks like a lovely place for a family adventure! Of course,I loved all the elephants!
ReplyDeleteHello Carmen, I didn't get time to go in search of french dishes or wines as it was a short trip. Skipped it for a dedicated food trip to Pondicherry later. I remembered you everytime time I encountered an elephant in the trip. Not due to any resemblance but your fondness of the Elephant god. Hope you're having fun with Harper.
DeleteHello, great post and a wonderful place to visit. I love all the elephants, both the real one and the statues. Your boys are adorable and your wife is pretty! Thanks for sharing your visit. Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. Lovely family. Fun critter post ... real and not! I love elephants.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Would love that elephant jewelry!
ReplyDeleteThat elephant sculpture is indeed wonderful.
ReplyDelete~
all lovely
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Looks like a pretty place to visit!
ReplyDeleteI finally am able to comment again! For a while, I could not get the comment box. What a beautiful trip! Loved the French influence in the architecture! It looks like Rohan did fall in love with the beach before the day was over. Had to laugh at the elephant giving NIshant a view of his tail! Glad you got to spend such a fun time with your family! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
What a great place! The weather was wonderful for you, too.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an amazing trip. Thank you for sharing it with us. Your photos and family are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAmazing shots! Just love all the color!
ReplyDeletelooks like fuuun...I bet you all had a great time. Such a loving memories :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous surroundings and even more gorgeous family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful journey. Looks like you made lots of special memories with your family. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
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This is really a wonderful blog .Photos in this blog is so amazing and nicely clicked. Thanks for sharing your experience and photos with us . Keep posting like this.
ReplyDelete