Bombay to Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
Mumbai to Mamallapuram to Puducherry
All photos by : https://instagram.com/navneetsmaini
Day 1 & 2
Mumbai to Chennai — flight.
How to Travel from Chennai to Mahabalipuram ?
From Chennai Airport, I took Ola from Chennai Airport — About 1700 Rs — it’s nominal if there are 4 people travelling. Mahabalipuram is about an hour’s drive from Chennai — by car.
Other options are taking Metro to Bus Stop and taking bus from there. As I am not conversant in Tamil — and this was my first trip here — I avoided this.
Where to stay in Mahabalipuram?
At Mahabalipuaram — I stayed at Mamala Heritage — good hotel with good food and all places are nearby. (Check my Vlog for details)
Tourist places in Mahabalipuram?
Mahabalipuram is a compact destination, allowing visitors to explore its various sites in just one day. You can cover all the places on foot , unless you have senior citizens or young ones. (Check my Vlog for details)
Light House
Shore Temple
Krishna’s Butter Ball
Five Rathas
Mahabalipuram Beach
How many days in Mahabalipuram?
A good place to hangout from 2 to 3 days — if you have time — and want to be away from all traffic and noise.
Map of Mahabalipuram
Map of the city is below:
How many days in Mahabalipuram ?
But I found this a good place to hangout from 2 to 3 days — if you have time — and want to be away from all traffic and noise.
In case you want to buy statues in bulk — there are big shops on the main highway also.
Food places in Mahabalipuram?
I didn’t try Non Veg but for Veg — my hotel as well as A2B was good.
The small market will cover all your daily needs like — footwear, medicine, toiletries, etc.
How to travel from Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry by bus?
After checking out from Mahabalipuram in the afternoon, I went to Pondicherry on bus. The bus is available from East Coast Road — near Radisson Hotel. It took me about 2 hour 30 minutes to reach Pondy. The bus frequency service is good. The ticket was Rs.105
Day 3 , 4 and 5
Pondy is a hustling bustling city and is in contrast to Mahabalipuram.
Where to stay in Pondicherry?
One option is to stay in White Town (expensive) or near White Town (less expensive) — another one is to stay near a beach (Eden, Paradise or Serenity).
(Check my Vlog for details)
I wanted to explore Pondy city and was not much interested in the beaches as I travel to Goa often.
I stayed near White Town — Espiran Hotel — I found it conveniently located and in my budget.
How to travel in Pondicherry?
I hired a rental scooter from the hotel. It’s easy to get a scooter as the rental services are every where — I paid 800 Rs for 2 days.
White Town and Promenade were nearby my hotel — I drove on scooter.
You can spend a day at this area of city.
Places of interest in Pondicherry?
I travelled to Eden and Sernity beach. I liked Auroville and the White Town area too. The temples in Pondicherry — around White Town area are very beautiful.
(Check my Vlog for details)
I went to Auroville the next day on my scooter. If you want to do meditation — book a slot atleast 4/5 days before.
The outer part of Matri Mandir is availble for visit without any reservation.
From Auroville — Serenity beach is nearby.
In the evening I went to Promenade — Gandhi beach for a stroll. Lot of eateries are available near Promenade — White Town area.
The famous Manakula Vinayagar Temple is in White Town.
Next morning I went to Eden beach — about 5 km from city centre.
I didn’t go to Paradise Beach — but its about 4 km from Eden beach.
How many days in Pondicherry?
Pondy is good for 2 to 3 days.
How is the service of blablacar.in ?
I tried to book a shared car ride on blablacar.in — but the driver cancelled the rise at the last moment. I didn't find blablacar.in dependable at all.
Not recommended, at all.
How to travel from Pondicherry to Chennai?
I caught a bus to Chennai — it took about 3 and half hours — once you reach Chennai the journey is slow due to traffic. The ticket was for 155 Rs.
I took Metro at Guindy to reach the Airport Metro station.
And took flight back to Bombay
Check my Pondicherry VLOG here
