Cultural heritage of Pondicherry- day trip from Chennai

On this full-day tour explore the cultural heritage of Pondicherry, which is a unique blend of French and Tamil cultures. Get a glimpse of the spiritual legacy of this former French colony at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is dedicated to Sri Aurobindo Ghosh - a philosopher and freedom fighter. Visit Auroville, a unique global village that is home to people from over 50 countries.   Highlights • Sri Aurobindo Ashram • Aurobindo paper factory • Pondicherry Museum • Auroville, global village

You will be picked up from your hotel in Chennai early in the morning from where you will be taken to Pondicherry,  a 3-hour drive away. En route, stop for breakfast at a local restaurant. As you drive into the city, you will notice the strong French influence in the facades of the mediterranean style houses, the local bakeries and the roads and avenues. On your arrival in Pondicherry, visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Soak in the ambience of the ashram, which reflects a synthesis of yoga and modern science. Founded in 1926, the Ashram has a community of around 2,000 people who are engaged in voluntary community service. Visit the paper factory there and see how paper is produced from cotton rags and then processed with techniques like silk screen printing and marbling.

Next visit the Pondicherry Museum. The museum has a collection of rare bronze and stone sculptures dating back to the Pallava and Chola dynasties. It also has several artefacts excavated from Arikamedu, an ancient port that had trade links with the Romans. Enjoy lunch (own expense) at a French - Indian fusion restaurant and savor the flavors unique to this region.

After lunch you will be driven to Auroville. Located at a distance of 7 miles from Pondicherry, Auroville is an experimental township that was founded in 1968 and is today home to people of several nationalities. Auroville, literally translates to the ‘City of Dawn’. People from over 50 nations of the world reside here and the architecture of the township reflects this universality. Follow your guide to Matrimandir, known by locals as ‘Temple of the Mother’, where you will get a close look at its gold-plated dome and lotus-shaped urn that stretches nearly 100 feet. Your guide will give you a deeper understanding of this temple’s significance for practitioners and teachers of Integral Yoga.  At the end of your trip, you will be driven back to Chennai and dropped off at your hotel.

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult

• 1- 8 Travelers
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  Price based on 1-8 Pax Basis.
  Pickup included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle from Chennai to Pondicherry and back
• Private English speaking local guide
• Breakfast at local restaurant ( beverage excluded)
• 02 bottles of mineral water
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off

• Food and drinks, unless specified

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Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by SITA World Tours.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Kolkata.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 8 Travelers is accepted for booking.