Leisure Activities in Pondicherry

Are you interested to learn any new skills or develop your hidden talents in Pondicherry city? Yes, there are loads of leisure activities available for the talented people. Parents should always encourage their kids to participate in all the competitions and art classes in their summer vacation. This usually develops the inner skills as well they are able to learn something new in their vacation. Now, let us have a look at some of the activities in Pondicherry below:

Red Earth Riding School

Red Earth Riding School (RERS) is exactly placed on the Tindivanam-Pondicherry road, next to the Auroville Police Station. It is a place of joy and learning for children and adults of all ages. You can just enrol your kids and see the difference in a short period of time.

Address

Casablanca, Mission Street, Pondicherry

Telephone: (+91) 9443 237217

Email: jacqueline@hidesign.com

Website: www.rers.in

Adishakti

Adishakti is a performance company engaged in the research and reanimation of traditional knowledge in theatre, dance, music, movement and craft forms - with a view to creating a contemporary hybrid aesthetic and performance language. Adishakti's holistic view of theatre finds expression in its campus, which is the expression of its research into traditional knowledges related to the environment, construction technology and health.

Three acres of sylvan surroundings house many heritage structures, an outdoor amphitheatre, an indoor theatre space built to the specifications of the Natya Shasta, the ancient treatise on theatre -- with contemporary acoustic paneling. The campus is a cultural hub in the lap of nature, four kilometers from Pondicherry, near the international township of Auroville.

Address

Edayanchavady Road

Neighbourhood: 4km from Pondicherry

Telephone: (+91) 9443389962 / (+91) 9578542882

Email: adishaktiprogram@gmail.com

Website: www.adishaktitheatrearts.com

Surfing Classes

Learn to surf the right way from the start in complete safety with a professional instructor. Come to the beautiful Bodhi Beach and get to know the ocean and discovering its surroundings. Minimum age: 10 years old, ID proof needed, surfboard and rashvest provided.

Address Bodhi Beach, near Bodhi Café

Neighborhood: Between Pondicherry and Auroville

Phone number: (+91) 94429 92874

Email: kallialaysurfschool@hotmail.com

Pondy Sharkz - Pondicherry Rugby Association

This association has been created by Thomas Vidotto and aims to promote and to develop Rugby in Pondicherry. This mission seems rather difficult, considering the lack of field facilities in the city, but also because of the lack of popularity of this sport in India. But in spite of these difficulties, Thomas Vidotto has already achieved good things. The “Pondy Sharkz” is playing in a championship with teams from Chennai, and he has also formed several teams, like a team of fishermen children, two university teams (one for men and one for women) and many more are coming in the future! So if you are interesting by helping to the development of this sport with strong human values, don’t hesitate anymore and join the PRA!

Address: Stade Indira Gandhi

Telephone: +91 99445 37666

Email: pondy_sharkz@yahoo.com

Website: www.toutpondi.com/pra

Plant Trees And Bring Greenery Back

Pondicherry lost more than 2.5 lakh trees in the Thane cyclone. In order to make Pondicherry green once again, Puducherry administration has come up with a scheme to plant trees in schools. The scheme is being jointly implemented by the Education and Forest Departments.

Under this scheme every government school must plant at least 100 trees in its premises. All the schools have started to actively involve in the planting of trees in their areas. It is the responsibility of the citizens to save the environment from all disasters and floods.

The Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy inaugurated this scheme on Monday by planting trees at the Savarirayalu government school. 

VILLIANNUR TEMPLE

The Villianur Temple car Festival is celebrated around the middle of May, the exact date depending on the appearance of the full moon. The decorated car of the Thirukameswarar Kokilambal Temple is taken out in a procession, pulled by hundreds of devotees. Southindiatourtravel.com provides information on Villianur Temple car Festival and different types of Festivals around Pondicherry.

A Union Territory on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, the territory of Pondicherry is a tiny former colony of the French, which in its colonial years was referred to as "The French Riviera of the East". Essentially rooted in Indian tenets, there is a good number of Indian Festivals and Events in Pondicherry. The Villianur Temple Car festival in Pondicherry is not the least of them. One of the most popular festivals in the entire southern region of India, the Villianur Temple Car festival in Pondicherry is an occasion that is celebrated with immense fanfare and revelry.

The Villianur Temple Car Festival in Pondicherry is an annual event in the territory. The Villianur Temple Car Festival in Pondicherry is a festival that is dedicated to the Thirukamemswara Kukilambal deity. Celebrated with much fanfare, the Villianur Temple Car Festival in Pondicherry involves a prayerful yet fun-filled procession that follows out the deity through the town. The deity makes this annual journey in a bedecked chariot. The procession begins from the temple premises, and then traces a path through the entire town, and finally, in the evening the journey terminates with the deity returning to the temple.

The chariot carrying the deity is heaved by the devotees of the Thirukamemswara Kukilambal. There are several rituals that are followed out during the commemoration of the Villianur Temple Car Festival in Pondicherry too. The devotees who pill the chariot also take the initiative of contributing food supplies like curd, rice buttermilk and many such auspicious commodities that go into the making of the "Prasad" that is then distributed to the participating crowd. It is believed that the benevolent deity fulfills the intercessions of the contributors. The Villianur Temple Car Festival in Pondicherry takes place on a full moon day in the month of May.

A Sekar - Pride Of Puducherry

Skills of a papier mache craftsman A Sekar of Pondicherry gets national reorganization. President Pranab Mukherjee presented him the award sometime in earlier in this July for the year 2011.

On recommendation of the territory's handicraft department, the Puducherry Government recognized his contribution to the craft and selected him for the national award for excellence in papier mache.

"It (national award) is a great honour. The awards and recognition will encourage craftsmen to pass on their skills," said 57-year-old Sekar.

A Sekar is a sixth generation paper mache craftsman from Vandipalayam in Cuddalore district. This award will definitely inspire thousands of people to achieve something big for their country.

Chunnambar Boathouse- Pondicherry

Located in Ariyankuppam, Chunnambar is a popular boating venue famous for its backwaters and lush greenery. It is situated at just 7 Kms from Pondicherry and 1 Km from Ariankuppam. The Pondicherry Tourism Enterprise PTTDC holds backwater boat tours, boating, trekking, picnics on Paradise Beach and much more. Moreover, the resort offers boats on rental basis and people can select the boats suiting to their requirement. If you are looking for a peddle boat, then you need to pay Rs 60 per hour. For motor boat, the people are required to pay Rs 125 per head.

People who are planning to relax in their summer vacation can get into the ‘Sunrise Panorama’. This is actually the tree top houses in Chunnambar which enable the tourists to refresh and unwind with their family. You can either read a novel, paint, listen to music meditate or even stay overnight, all on the top of a tree! Sunrise panorama’ (a two storey tree top house) gives you an unrestricted view of the backwater up to its mouth. ‘Palm house’ on the other hand overlooks the artificial pond and park. ‘Nest brid’ is the perfect above for the adventure loving folks, it has a rope ladder that leads to a small balcony. All in a tree house!

An increasing number of people find pleasure in bird watching at the lakeside bird sanctuary. Pondicherry Tourism authorities offer pleasure boat rides. Pedal boats and row boats are available on hire. A lakeside restaurant serves meals & snacks.

Chunnambar, the perfect picnic spot-Chunnambar is the right mixture of fun, sports, calm, romance and beauty. You can swim, row a boat, stay on a tree house and watch the sunrise, have a picnic at the beach and play beach volleyball, go trekking, or even fishing!

Eid Celebration in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is a prominent destination that offers importance to all religions across the country. On 29^th July, the Union territory of Pondicherry celebrated Eid-Ul-Fitr (Ramzan) with religious fervor and great pleasure. A large group of Muslim devotees gathered in the darghas and offered special prayers in the morning and noon. Eid marks the end of one month fasting by the Muslim people.

After special prayers, the Muslims gave alms to the poor and needy people in an organized manner. Chief Minister N Rangaswamy, Puducherry Lt Gov AK Singh and his cabinet members greeted the people of the union territory with great care and affection. Also, the Chief Minister conveyed a message “People should rededicate themselves to the cardinal principles of love and affection among people, nurturing of peace and also equality and charity. I wish the Islamic brethren prosperity and happiness.”

Iftar at Raj Nivas 

The Iftar is an annual event hosted by the Lieutenant Governor.

However, as the Lt. Governor Ajay Kumar Singh is away in his principal domain of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Chief Minister hosted an Iftar on his behalf on July 26 on the lawns of the Raj Nivas.

The Puducherry State Wakf Board, led by its chairman V.P.Abdul Rahman, lent support to the event.

After 6pm dignitaries and special invitees arrived to attend the party. Amongst the guest were Deputy Speaker T.P.R. Selvame, Minister T. Thiagarajan, MLAs A.M.H. Nazeem and A. Tamizhselvan, and Joint Secretary to the Lieutenant-Governor G. Srinivas.

Tips to get Perfectly Shaped Ladoos

Are you interested to prepare ladoos for this season? Tired or facing any problems in the preparation process? Yes, you have reached the right spot. The following are the common issues that happen while forming laddos causing it to break. Here are some tips to set it right instead of throwing it all away.

The Mixture is Dry and Chalky

If you are not able to shape the mixture into ladoos because it is too dry, then the 2 obvious reasons I can think of are:

1. You over roasted/heated the mixture
2. You let the mixture cool down completely before adding sugar.

If this is the case, you can try any one of the following methods to solve this problem

• Add the sugar etc and then take the full mixture and re heat in low setting for 1 minute or so until you see the dough coming together.
• What happens is that the heat helps the sugar to melt and give more body to the mixture thereby helping to bind.
• Or heat few teaspoons of milk to warm. Add drop by drop to the chickpea flour mixture. That will help in forming ladoos.
  
  

After making the perfect ladoo, sometimes you may find some difference in the taste of the sweet. This means that you haven’t cooked the Besan mixture enough. Keep in mind that you need to keep roasting the mixture until aroma starts wafting through the kitchen.
Hope these tips help you to enjoy some amazing and delicious Ladoo in your home itself!

Corn Kheer

Corn Kheer or Pala Padiyum is milk based sweet made with corn puree. It is usually served with corn vada or makha garelu, although the kheer can be served as it is, as a sweet. Normally pala padiyum is made with rice or rice flour. 

Rice is soaked for at least half hour, ground to paste and then cooked in boiling milk. It is usually served with makha garelu. Now, let us have a quick glance at the recipe below:

Corn Kheer ~ Pala Padiyum

Total Time: 40 minutes
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

3 Ears of Corn or 2 cups of Corn Kernels

3 cups of Milk

1 tbsp. Rice Flour (check note below)

2/3 cup Sugar

¼ tsp. Cardamom Seeds powdered

1 tbsp. Ghee or Butter (opt)

Few Raisins and Cashews (opt)

Preparation:

Ø      Scrape the kernels off the cob.

Ø      Take the kernels into a blender, with about ½ cup of milk and puree it.

Ø      Heat remaining 2 ½ cups of milk in a sauce pan. Bring it to a boil. It should take about 5 minutes.

Ø      Add the corn puree to the hot milk and stir well. Make sure no lumps are formed and bring it to a boil.

Ø      Reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Keep stirring in between.

Ø      Take some water and rice flour into a bowl and make a nice paste. Add this paste to the simmering corn milk. Stir immediately to avoid lump formation. Continue stirring and simmer for another 5-8 minutes until the milk thickens.

Ø      Add sugar, cardamom powder and mix. Cook for few minutes until sugar dissolves in the milk.

Ø      Turn of the heat and let the kheer cool.

Ø      If using raisins and cashews, heat a pan with ghee and roast the raisins and cashews until golden brown. Raisins will puff up. Transfer these to kheer.  I did not use raisins and cashews as I served it with vada.

Ø      Serve warm or cold.

Pondy For A Day Tripper

                                                            Welcome to Pondy

Often it is a tourist’s dilemma as to what to see in Pondicherry just between 8am to 9pm. of a day. !

There are three ways to get acquainted with Pondicherry:

• Let the hotel management arrange a guide.
• Book a seat with Pondicherry Tourism department’s tourist bus service.
• For a guided & conducted tour of the commercial units of Sri Aurobindo Ashram or Auroville book a seat with Auto Care Service near the BSNL office.
• With the help of Google, a guide book and recommendations from friends discover and have an adventurous trip.

In the category ‘D’, it is better to have one’s own transport to save time. Or else, on coming to Pondy, hire a motor bike from a bike rental shop. There are several of them on the Mission Street and the nearby streets. For the fun of it try a bi-cycle as well.

Most visited touristic sites

The most visited places in a day’s trip to Pondicherry are :

• Sri Aurobindo Ashram,
• Manakula Vinayagar Temple (Ganesh) ,
• Pondicherry Museum,
• Ashram’s Hand-made-paper factory,
• Sacred Heart Church,
• Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception,
• Church of Our Lady of the Angels,
• Botanical Garden,
• Bharathi Park,
• Chunnambar Beach & Paradise Beach,
• Auroville and
• The Promenade road or the beach road where some major historical land marks are :
  • the French War Memorial,
  • the majestic 19th Century Light house,
  • Kargil War Memorial,
  • Dr. Ambedkar’s Memorial,
  • the French Consulate

For a safe sea bathing, visit Serenity / Bodhi beach or Auro beach.

Pilgrimage trip

For those who are on a pilgrimage tour, apart from Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the Ganesh Temple, there are also some other famous historical temples within the boulvard such as Kanniga Parameswari temple (dedicated to Shakti ), Varadaraja  Perumal Koil (Vishnu temple) & Vedhapureeswarar Iswaran Koil (Shiva temple) on the M.G.Road, Kalatheeswaran Koil on the Mission Street, Tirupathy Devasthanam on the Nehru Street. All these temples are within 15 minutes of walk from the Chief Secretariat located on the beach road on East.

In the outskirts about 9 kms north of Pondicherry, on the old Pondy-Tindivanam highway, the Panchamukha Hanuman or Anjaneya temple has become very famous. This area is also known as Panchavatee Kshetram. The deity, sculptured out of a single granite stone, is about 36 meters tall with 5 different heads facing five different directions. On availability of tokens, relish its south Indian lunch.

The Pyramid shaped Karaneswara Natarajar temple is a fairly recent introduction to Pondicherry. It is about 7kms from the north of Pondicherry University on the East Coast Road. Its lush green and serene open ambience with the sound of breaking of waves in background is very soothing to the senses.

There is also a Shirdi Sai Baba temple in kalapet near the Pondicherry University.

Shopping in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is also a shopper’s haven. The major shopping streets are Nehru Street, Mission Street, M.G.Road, Kosakadai Street where premium boutiques, showrooms of national and international brands, local ancestral shops and new up-coming stores cater to one’s taste and budget.

Sri Aurobindo Asharm has its own commercial units where hands made products are sold. Its details may be obtained from the Ashram’s reception or its Bureau Central (near the BSNL office).

Auroville too has several handmade units. Further information on this may be obtained from the information centre in Auroville.

Tasty bites

Pondicherry though geographically small serves South Indian, North Indian, creole, French, Italian, Chinese and continental cuisine. The Jain temple on Anna Salai serves lunch as well between 12.30pm and 1pm. So enjoy mouth watering multi-cuisine – buffet or a la Carte – either in a small fast moving joint or in a posh restaurant.

One can even make a combo of sightseeing, shopping and gastronomy.!

So a lot can be done just in a day between: “Bonjour Pondy” & “Au-revoir Pondy”.!

Le Gourmet 2014

Food Festival 2014

Pondicherry’s much awaited annual food festival with its tagline ‘Treat your taste buds to global cuisine’ began on July 16.

It is organised by the Department of Tourism Puducherry. It was inaugurated by the Tourism Minister P. Rajavelu in the presence of W.V.R.Murthy, Tourism Secretary, K. K. Singh, Tourism director and Vaiyapuri Manikandan, chairman, Puducherry Tourism Development Corporation. The Chief Minister of Puducherry N Rangansamy had graced the event in person too.

The event is taking place at the Old Port on Beach Road (next to Seagulls). There are about 33 stalls consisting of food and snacks from elite restaurants of Pondicherry offering an array of mouth watering dishes ranging from Indian(South & North), Chinese, French and Vietnamese. An exclusive big stall is reserved for Cookery Competitions.

There are well laid out dining facilities. Support team is keeping the entire premises clean of litters.

Several stalls have live cooking counters. So you can witness your dish being cooked as well. If you want to check out your physical strength visit the stall Le Royal Park. There is a big rock kept on a sand mound to be uplifted. Sounds of cheers will not let you miss this corner.

Visitors enjoying music

Daily for these 5 days the venue is open from 5pm to 10pm with an entrance fee of Rs 10 for adults but free for children. Vehicle parking inside the premise is on payment.

Each evening there are also various cultural programs with artists coming from Bangalore, Mumbai, Orissa and Puducherry from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Dj Mayur from Chennai will perform daily from 8.30pm to 10pm.

So enjoy the annual week of gastronomy in Pondicherry. Bon Appetit.!!!

International Yoga Festivals in Pondicherry

Puducherry-the spiritual land where many Siddha and Saints attained salvation. In this beautiful and peaceful spiritual land, many research works were done on yoga and two Yoga Institutions of world fame are functioning.The Government of Puducherry has been conducting the International Yoga Festival since 1993.

After seeing the response and enthusiasm shown by the participants from all over the world and from India, the Government of Puducherry has decided to conduct the festival regularly every year.

The programme consists of practical Yogasana classes every morning and discussions on various topics on Yoga. The Yogasana competition will also be held on all days of the festival. 

The festival aims at the development of the conscious process at physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels and completeness in every aspects of life. 

INTERESTING FEATURES 

• Morning starts with meditation, dhyanas and yogasana practices in the open.
• Presentation of papers, discussion and workshop on Yoga
• Yogic food in natural atmosphere with Yogic music
• Yogic dance and drama
• Attractive culture programme/instrumental music

This festival brings in participants from all over the world between the 4th to the 7th January every year. The festival includes talks, discussions, exchange of ideas, consultation and demonstration of techniques. Classical Indian dance and music programme every day.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry

The Sri Aurobindo Ashram located on rue de la Marine, is one of the most well known and wealthiest ashrams in India, with devotees from India and all over the world flocking to it for spiritual salvation. 

Its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science. It is open to the public daily between 08-1200 hrs and 1400-1800 hrs. Children below 3 years of age are not allowed into the ashram and photography is allowed only with permission of the ashram authorities.

History of Sri Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry

The Sri Aurobindo Ashram was founded by Sri Aurobindo on the 24 November 1926 (Siddhi Day). Sri Aurobindo Ghose was one of India’s greatest philosopher-poets, who originally came to Pondy to escape persecution by the British. It was after arriving in puducherry, that he was drawn into the spiritual realm and discovered the power of yoga. His philosophy deeply rooted in yoga and his writings inspired a number of followers.

One of them was a Parisian mystic, painter and musician called Mirra Alfassa, who was so inspired by his philosophy that she stayed on in puducherry and was instrumental in establishment of the ashram. At the time there were no more than 24 disciples in the Ashram. In December of that year, Sri Aurobindo decided to withdraw from public view, and appointed his co-worker Mirra Alfassa, thenceforth known as The Mother in charge of the ashram.

Mirra Alfassa- Companion of Sri Aurobindo

After Aurobindo’s death in 1950, the running of the Ashram was entrusted to his chief disciple and companion, Mirra Alfassa, (also known as ‘The Mother’). The idea of Auroville or the “City of Down” was conceived by ‘The Mother’. She died in 1973 at the age of 93. The ashram’s influence can be felt in most of puducherry.

The main ashram building is where the mortal remains of Aurobindo and the Mother are kept. Their ‘Samadhi’ or mausoleum, which is generally surrounded by supplicating devotees, is in the central courtyard under a frangipani tree and is covered daily with flowers. Some of the ashram’s facilities like the Library and the Main Building (during collective meditation) can be accessed, only after obtaining a gate pass from the Bureau Central or some of the Ashram Guest Houses.

 

Address

Sri Aurobindo Ashram,

White Town, Pondicherry , 605001,

Pondy Marathon 2014

Are you interested to participate in the Pondicherry Marathon 2014? Eager to explore your hidden talents in the grounds of Puducherry? If yes, then just pack your bags to Pondicherry with your friends and family. Participating in a marathon would give a challenging and rewarding experience for all the people.

However, people need to dedicate a lot of time, energy and discipline to achieve the goal. If you are running for the first time, then this marathon will be special and create a great experience.

The Pondy Marathon 2014 has invited all the people irrespective of their age, social status or fitness level. You just need to hold a good health, focussed lifestyle and disciplined manner.

Event: Pondy Marathon 2014

Date: Sunday, 10th August 2014

Distance: 21.1 KMS & 10 KMS

Venue: Gandhi Thidal, Puducherry

 

Tips for Runners

Ø      Eat well the day before the run. Low fiber and carbs are a must in your food intake. Avoid alcohol and other dehydrating liquids.

Ø      Warm up, stretch and drink a glass of Electrolyte or isotonic drink before beginning the run.

Ø      Hydrate properly. Make it a point to drink some water or electrolytes every 15 minutes or so during the run. Every 3rd or 4th glass should be either Electrolyte added drink or isotonic drink.

Ø      If you are breathing too hard slow down during the run slow down or walk a bit until you feel comfortable again.

Ø      If you experience any of the following symptoms, please, stop the run, walk slowly towards one of the aid stations and ask for medical help.

1 Crore pledge to SAVE NATURE on International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

Dear Friends, Well wishers & followers!

Assist Word Records Research Foundation is planning to execute Assist world records event to pledge about creating SAVE NATURE awareness on International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 16th September 2014. They are planning to connect various people from different country to pledge 1, 00, 00,000 people for this cause. 

We expect your promotions with the networks like NGO’s , corporate companies, social workers, school and colleges, yoga federations, Poeter's association, international famous film artists and by yourself suggest some other teams to make this event in a grand manner. We are expecting your extreme support for this event.

You may have attended many conferences in schools and colleges you may also connect those peoples for this record. The association will provide one free certification in the name of organization.

For more details, please drop a mail at: info@1crorepledge.com 

Website: www.assistworldrecords.com

Date: Sep 16th 2014

Time: 10:30 am

Venue:  Mother Terasa Post Graduate & Research Institute of Health Sciences, Puducherry, Pondicherry

International Youth Day Celebration

Hello Visitors,

I am glad to inform that the Information Youth Day Celebration is going to be held on 16^th August 2014. This celebration is mainly conducted to improve and support the youth of the Pondicherry city. Trust for Youth and Child Leadership (TYCL) and MUGHIL Social Welfare Organization is organizing this grand celebration at Pondicherry.

On 16^th August, the celebration includes Inauguaration of N'Kana (En Akka En Anna), Youth Engagement Programme and Youth Day Celebration. So, don’t miss this great occasion with your friends and family!

Date- Aug 16^th 2014

Time- 04:00 PM

Venue-  TYCL, Pondicherry, India

Travel Timings in Pondicherry

Bus Timings

Bangalore to Pondicherry Private Bus Timings 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM Seating Non- A/C   Rs. 440 Sleeper Non- A/C   Rs. 490 Seating A/C            Rs. 580 Sleeper A/C            Rs. 570 Coimbatore to Pondicherry Private Bus Timings 07:00 PM to 10:15 PM Seating Non- A/C   Rs. 300 Sleeper Non- A/C   Rs. 350 Seating A/C             Rs. 465 Sleeper A/C            Rs. 515 Chennai to Pondicherry Private Bus Timings 05:40 PM to 09:30 PM Seating Non- A/C    Rs. 200 Sleeper Non- A/C   Rs. 250 Seating A/C             Rs. 300 Govt Delux Bus Timings Chennai to Pondicherry 10.00 ,11.00, 18.00, 19.00 Devipattinam to Pondicherry Private Bus Timings 12:00 AM to 06:00 PM Seating Non- A/C   Rs. 350 Sleeper Non- A/C   Rs. 420 Alathur to Pondicherry Private Bus Timings 09:30 PM to 09:30 PM Seating A/C            Rs. 1050

 Train Timings

Train Name	Train Number	Arrival	Departure
Mandovi Express	103	10: 50	-
Bhubaneshwar - Pondicherry Express	2898	13: 35	-
Pondicherry Chennai Egmore (Sun & Thurs only)	106	04.10	08.40(Chennai)
Pondicherry Chennai Egmore Express(all days except Sun & Thurs)	6116	04.10	09.15(Chennai)
Pondicherry Thirupathy Passenger	196	04.10	22.40(Thirupathy)
Pondicherry Chennai Egmore Passenger	104	04.10	19.30(Chennai)
Pondicherry Villupuram Passenger	116	22.15	23.00(Villupuram)
Bhubaneswar Superfast Express Egmore (only on wed)	2898	18.15	19.35(Bhubaneswar)

Kesari Mishthan | Kesari Kheer

Kheer is an Indian dessert made of rice & milk. It is a Indian rice pudding which is very popular & enjoyed nation wide. They are variations to this dish. You can replace rice with vermicelli & broken wheat & can customize the dish according to your taste. 

This dish is made for special occasions, celebrations, festivals & also for midnight cravings. Anyone would love to taste this delicious food delight at all times. 

Cooking Details

Prep Time-5 mins 

Cook Time-1hr

Serves-2 people

Ingredients

1/4Cup rice

3/4Cup water

2Cups milk

1/2Cup condensed milk {optional}

1/4Cup sugar

1/2Tsp saffron strands

Dry fruits {almonds, raisins}

1Tsp cardamon powder

Directions

-   Soak saffron strands in 4 Tbs warm milk.

-   Pressure cook rice with 3/4 cup water for 2 whistles.

-   Switch off heat & allow pressure cooker to cool.

-   In deep vessel mix cooked rice with milk & cook it on low heat till the mixture becomes thick. 

-   Add sugar, saffron milk & cardamon powder to milk. 

-   Cook for few seconds & add dry fruits to kheer. Switch off heat. 

-   Refrigerate kheer & serve chill. Note - Condensed milk is sweet so if you want to use condensed milk add it before adding sugar to kheer & check the taste before mixing sugar.

-   If you think the consistency of kheer is too thick add another cup of milk.

Puducherry Sambar

Sambar is a staple of South Indian states. Though the preparation varies from one another, still they all are named the same. Pondicherry, a Union Territory of India has its own version of sambar & sure stands unique from all the versions. 

This dish is appetizing, simple to make & also gets along very well with any South Indian dishes.Many people would love to taste this special Sambar at least once in their trip to city. 

Prep Time-5mins | Cook Time-45mins | Serves-3people

Ingredients

1/2 Cup toor dal

1 Cup water

1 Small onion chopped

2 Tomatoes chopped

1 Cup chopped mooli pieces

2 Tbs oil

1 Tsp mustard seeds

4 Red chili's cut equally

1/2 Tsp hing {asafetida}

1Tsp jaggery powder

6 curry leaves

2 Cups water

1/4 Tsp turmeric

4 Garlic pods chopped 1 Tbs tamarind pulp {adjust as needed}

1 Tsp jeera powder

1 Tbs black pepper powder

Salt to taste

Garnish with coriander

Directions

- Wash dal with water & pressure cook with water for 2 whistles. Switch off heat & allow cooker to cool.

- Heat a deep vessel with oil. Add mustard seeds along with garlic, red chili's & hing. 

- Once the mustard starts jumping add veggies, turmeric & salt.

- Cook them with a closed lid till veggies are soft & done.

- Then add 2 cups water to veggies along with dal, jaggery, curry leaves, tamarind pulp, jeera & black pepper powder. 

- Mix them well & balance the flavors. {salt, black pepper & tamarind}

- Boil sambar on low heat for 10 mins. Switch off heat. 

- Serve warm along with rice, papad & ghee.

Note

- Use your choice of veggies.  

- You don't have to add garlic along with seasoning. You can just add it while mixing dal to veggies. 

Travel Tips for Pondicherry Visitors

If you have planned to visit Pondicherry for your holiday trip, then you are required to consider some travel tips before your start. Tourists should ensure to prepare a list of things to be taken for the journey in advance. Missing some valuable documents relating to your travel can really land you in trouble.

Now let us have a quick glance at some of the important travel tips for the Pondicherry visitors below:

1. Health Precautions

ü      Foreign tourists who are visiting the city have to carry their Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate confirming to International Health Regulation.

ü      It is the responsibility of the tourists to bring a first aid kit that comprises of adhesive bandages, water purification tablets, antiseptic creams, thermometer and mosquito repellants along with them.

ü      Even you are fit and healthy, the people should hold a health insurance policy as accidents may occur. Check whether your health insurance covers the medical expenses of all the destinations you visit. If it doesn’t cover, then take an extra insurance for your safety.

2. Moving Around

It is important to know that the streets in Pondicherry are well organized at right angles and the tourists can easily move in the city. Also, you can check the sightseeing attractions by walking or hire a taxi at an ease. The public transport options of Pondicherry include Auto-Rickshaws, Cycle-Rickshaws, Buses and more.

3. Clothing

Being located in the coastal region, Pondicherry is mostly warm and does not experience the chilly water. Summers will be quite hot for the first few months. Tourists are advised to carry cool cottons and open comfortable sandals for the pleasure of taking a walk in India’s French Enclave. If you are eager to visit the heritage city in rainy season (November-December), then make sure to take umbrellas and gum boots.

4. Language

Travelers need not worry about the language spoken in Pondicherry. Most of the people are fluent in French as well as Tamil. Apart from this, English is widely spoken by the majority of the people in the Pondicherry city.

5 Mobile Phones

It is always better to bring your own mobile phones to India as the local networks are cheap to use. People have to just buy a mobile phone kit that includes a phone number and SIM card. For this, you need to submit your passport Xerox, colour photo, id proof and get the SIM card within few hours.

6. No Smoking

The Indian Government has strictly prohibited all forms of tobacco advertising and also banned smoking in public areas. People should not advertise or promote any illegal brands in the government buildings and public transports.

To Wrap Up

Therefore, the travelers are required to keep all the above travel tips in mind and prepare for their journey. So, just pack your bags and visit the destination of fun and pleasure with your friends and family!