Is Pondicherry (Puducherry), India's Prettiest Town? 🇮🇳
I explore Pondicherry (Puducherry), arguably the prettiest town in India. Located in Tamil Nadu, this former French occupied town has a relaxing charm and architecture to boot.
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I'm Jason, a full-time British Travel Vlogger and KZreadr who's been to 61 countries. I've been travelling around the world full-time since 2017.
I have travel series' from many of the world's best (and least) known destinations. I filmed the first vlogs on my channel in the summer of 2016 after spending a year living in China. A proper solo trip around Eastern Europe followed after graduating from University in the summer of 2017, taking me to Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Kosovo. This marked the start of my efforts to turn vlogging into a full-time job.
After that European trip I explored much of Asia: visiting India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea and Kazakhstan.
I have also travelled to North Africa and the Middle East fairly extensively over the last five years, filming videos in Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine.
I've travelled to North America just once as a KZreadr, visiting Mexico in 2021. Though I have been to both the USA and Canada, this was as a child on family holidays.
In 2022, I took my first trip to Sub Saharan Africa, visiting Kenya and Tanzania, before heading to the Middle East, stopping in Dubai and Lebanon. Europe followed, covering both the Greek and Turkish sides of Cyprus, and afterwards going back to Italy for the second time to cover Milan and Sicily. I then visited the Caribbean for the first time, covering the Dominican Republic, before heading to both Brussels and Amsterdam, then covering Taiwan and the Philippines in Asia. I finished off the year with a trip around Morocco.
I started my travels in 2023 by finally visiting Paris, taking the Eurostar from London. I then headed over to Qatar for a few days, before heading to the south of India.
#pondicherry #india #tamilnadu
Пікірлер: 196
India is really a great country, enjoy your time dear from Algeria ❤
@Mr-Anuraj
Жыл бұрын
Love You dost India would have been Million times beautiful If Islamic looters didn't break our Temples ,Monastery, Universities and A lot of Thing If you watch Islamophobic India But that was the reason We were slaves On our own land 😢😢😢😢😅😅
@nilaymallikk
Жыл бұрын
@@Mr-Anuraj as Bangladeshi Hindu we are suffering these days too. Nothing change for us😢
@wellytms4713
Жыл бұрын
@@Mr-AnurajYou don’t even know the history of your country. And you talk about rumors, what a shame
@Mr-Anuraj
Жыл бұрын
@@wellytms4713 whats the history ??
@Jsieowkwkakksj
9 ай бұрын
@@wellytms4713well I think you need to learn your history lol
Jason, Your influence extends far beyond what you know. I have been following you from the beginning. I am 71 years old, and now, because of your excellent videos and the way you present them, I have decided to make my first trip to India. I may not have your energy, your knowledge, your daring or your tenacity, but within my limits, I think I will have a great time exploring some of the great sites in India. Thanks for creating a "can-do" feeling about traveling to a place like India. Your efforts are transformative. Best regards.
@brianjewell6832
Жыл бұрын
I first travelled to India in 2012 ….last time was in 2019 as a 68 yo …would have been back but for Covid ! Intend going back as a 72 yo in sept/Oct…plenty of tours available if you want to travel with others ….
@johnnici1573
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! That's very encouraging!
@johnnici1573
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your advice!😊
@JasonBillamTravel
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the very kind words John. Best of luck with your trip!
@vimalrajkappil
Жыл бұрын
@@johnnici1573try to visit Kerala too
What a truly lovely town. It’s very lush, the church is stunning, the beach is stunning and I imagine the breeze is welcome. The temples were interesting. The atmosphere of the town seemed quieter than other Indian cities you featured.
Jason Billam, I think India has a distinctive culture, natural beauty, history and architecture as well!
@rakeshkrishnan1099
Жыл бұрын
Now being destroyed by the right wing politics
Beautiful Pondicherry ❤. Cheers from Mumbai India ♥️💙💜💚
what a beautiful colors of the houses , I did not imagine to find something like this in India !
@sauravkumarchand9691
Жыл бұрын
The More Foreigners explore India, they gonna be witness many pleasant surprises. These are French Villas architecture because Once Pondicherry was under French Colonialism and hence Pondicherry City is known "Little France of India".
@josejoseph8725
Жыл бұрын
Tamil areas are colourful and beautiful in India. Even temples in tamilnadu are very colourful.
@pramrv
Жыл бұрын
Don't assume anything about India 😊. U have everything from coldest desert to tallest mountain to UNESCO sites to beaches to temples, ruins, big cities, culture, great food and everything
@shreyaskumarrath721
Жыл бұрын
Everything in India has colours. Do you think we live black and white lives or what?
@paivitiitta1884
Жыл бұрын
@@shreyaskumarrath721 of course not , I ment I love the pastel of the colors , I did not know about the french influence ,it was not ment as insult. I try to help the vlogger commenting but I'll stop here because obviously I find myself beeing missunderstood , this is the only vlog that viewers interprets my comments , Jason , safe travels , I'll be following in silence .
So glad you made it to Pondicherry! My first time was in 1976 when I spent 3 months there and then I made another short visit in 1984. Nice to see some changes - In those days all the buildings were white. The best introduction to Sri Aurobindo is a book by Satprem called “Sri Aurobindo or the Adventure of Consciousness”.
I was there about 16 years ago and loved it. Thank you for taking me back!
@Mr-Anuraj
Жыл бұрын
❤❤
Pondicherry City is one of the beautiful Cosmopolitan Coastal City of India with a fusion of French and Tamil Indian Architecture and Culture. In Pondicherry City you can taste Indian, French, Spanish, Italian and Vietnamese Cuisines. Here are bucket list destinations to explore in Pondicherry-(1) Paradise Beach (2) Serenity Beach (3) Promenade Beach (4) Veerampattinam Beach (5) Chunnambar Island (6) Bharati Government Park (7) Ousteri Lake (8) French War Memorial (9) Pondicherry Botanical Gardens. Cheers😊
@marcstylish-st1lw
Жыл бұрын
For some reason it is never too crowded, I think because Goa and Kerala attracts most visitors.
@sauravkumarchand9691
9 ай бұрын
@@marcstylish-st1lw That's true. Both Goa and Kerala States in India attract most visitors but there are many lesser known Beautiful European Architecture Coastal cities exist in India which not many foreign tourists are aware like Diu, Daman, Mahe and Tharangambadi. Check their tourist attraction videos available on You Tube.
@ashas6396
4 ай бұрын
It is overcrowded now with lots of restaurants, bars and wine shops to attract the tourists, not to mention subsidiaire activities 😒
@sauravkumarchand9691
23 күн бұрын
@@marcstylish-st1lw Pondicherry is quite popular destination in Southern Part of India yet quite under rated among foreign travelers who visit India.
@sauravkumarchand9691
23 күн бұрын
@@ashas6396 Lol, false and fake information. On Contrary, Pondicherry is absolutely beautiful, organize and vibrant cosmopolitan City.
Thank you for this video. The French quarter looked lovely, as did the "local" part of the city.
Jason, I have watched very many of your travel videos and just want to praise you for your respectful attitude towards other countries and cultures. It's so nice for me to watch a fellow Brit being so very appreciative of foreign places. You are the best travel vlogger that I've seen so far. Your videos are extremely informative and I love your very modest style of presentation.You are a credit to your generation and your home country.
Wonderful video Jason. Should we expect a video from Madurai too? I’m off there in Oct and would like to hear your impressions.
@JasonBillamTravel
Жыл бұрын
I would’ve loved to have gone down there but ran out of time on the visa. Perhaps next time!
I been to Puerto Vallarta Mexico many times and I swear I though you where there because there is a strong similarity. The charm is the same, with colonial pastel colors, the small streets minus the cobblestone the climate then you said there is a sea or water close by and without knowing where you at, it all came together to me. Mexico coastal towns with a twist of French /India charm.
@Dhivagar_Coumar
Жыл бұрын
I am from pondicherry and I visited Puerto Vallarta.I thought the same and quite surprised by the similarities!.
Loved this video. It's pretty cool to see my hometown through another lens. I even spotted my father by the Ashram, which was uniquely trippy. If you ever come back here, do give me a shout. :)
Nice vlog. Of course, the Union Territory of Puducherry (aka Pondicherry or Pondy) is very pretty with its treelined and well planned streets (rues) dotted with bars, pubs, cafes, restaurants and guest houses especially in the French Quarter. The church is magnificent qnd the Temples are really beautiful.
I've been to Chennai couple of times, but never to Pondicherry. Very informative video... loved it. 😊
Beautiful. very nice. There is a place called Chidambaram. Chidambaram is close pondicherry - Did you happen to visit Chidambaram ?
Beautiful Puducherry! I loved the video!
Lovely video on my home city. Greetings from Pondicherry and thank you
You have to visit Maharastra and gujarat, raani ki vaav and Ajanta Ellora caves. The best
@mayankpal7555
Жыл бұрын
Both states are polluted and crowded yaar
@soumyasekharsar1591
Жыл бұрын
@@mayankpal7555 gujrat not polluted
@Mr-Anuraj
Жыл бұрын
@@mayankpal7555 fact But we need to improve ourselves ❤❤ From Nepal 🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵
@marinaabeach
3 ай бұрын
@@Mr-Anuraj curious what is nepali doing in a video abt pondicherry/TN wowwww
Thank you for your visit. I hope you enjoyed.
Thanks for making an amazing video about my city. You see very knowledgeable about our history and I hope you had a really good time.
As usual, your video is a MASTERPIECE Won't get tired of repeating this.
Thank you Jason great coverage of the French Indian quarters and the other parts of Pondecherry. I liked the temples and thank you for showing all this on video to us. Good luck on your travel back and see you soon. I bet your going to Manila. Just guessing God bless
@JasonBillamTravel
Жыл бұрын
Not a bad guess, but I was there fairly recently last year.
You must visit Munnar, Aleppy backwaters, Fort Kochi and Ooty ❤
Hi great video if you are in Pondy you should definitely come to Auroville I am living there (10km away) it's a fascinating place❤
Going there as a student... Really excited!
Good video. Just a small correction. The second temple you showed Kalatheeshwarar temple, more commonly known as Chetty Kovil. It is located in mission street while varadhararaja Perumal temple is in MG road.
Jason Billam, you have been traveling around the world for years!
@Mr-Anuraj
Жыл бұрын
In 1900s Europe😂😂
The French architecture of the buildings n cleanliness culture in Pondicherry is commendable🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤😊 Thanks for your commendable commentary🎉😊❤
Nice video! What month did you film this and what was the weather like?
Pondacherry is so different from the rest of India it looks beautiful very green 👍
@arjunraj823
Жыл бұрын
If you are talking about greenary, many parts of India are lush and green. Also it has a European climate in the Himalayan states.
@marcstylish-st1lw
Жыл бұрын
Pondi is clean and calm but I doubt it is developed to be a touristy place like Goa and Kerala.
@shiningstone6771
4 ай бұрын
Actually the whole Tamil Nadu, South India is very green and covered with many forest. The land is more arable than any land in the world as South India is the land of spices. I don't know about North India since I don't live there
Awesome video thanks for sharing this❤
Outside the temple in Pondicherry the priest with lamp and flowers blessed vehicles especially new vehicles.
Fantastique ! Merci à vous pour partager votre voyage en l'Inde avec nous !
16:37 These are almost certainly brand new motorcycles, just purchased, that are being blessed by the priest before being unleashed on our roads… (since you were wondering…) 😊
Thanks for visiting India. I believe you had enjoyed our culture and customs and foods thoroughly. Have a great day and good day
What is the name of the cafe? Is it located on the beach road?
Jason, you said you're a full time British traveler vlog?
Beautiful vedio Thankyou so much jason
Good video Jason, very nice!
The birds were giving mass in the church. Nice. ~
Pondicherrians are proud of their heritage!!!!
Near my home part of Pondicherry called Mahe (9squre kilometer)
Thanks again Enjoying India John in Chicago
Well done! I hope you go to BHUTAN next!
Auroville the community is definitely worth the visit if in Pondicherry for those interested in Hindu reformation movements of the 20th century.
❤❤❤❤ nice sharing ❤❤❤❤❤
Sri Aurobindo's story is awesome and exceptionally interesting. One of the many things he did was to help free India from British rule. He was one of the most important intellects of his time and he and the mother did endless greatness for India and the people. The mother is even more revered than Sri Aurobindo.
@venkatganapathy8024
Жыл бұрын
are you Eckardt Tolle ? i dont think so as you mentioned RJ
@rjeckardt8863
Жыл бұрын
@@venkatganapathy8024 Eckhart Tolle spells his name completely differently than mine.
Probably yes in cleanness.jeson bro...visit North India too...do you test samosa paani poori or dosa.
Love from Kerala, India ❤🙏🇮🇳💖
Breathtaking.
Love from jodhpur rajasthan❤❤❤❤🇮🇳❤❤❤❤
You didn't even visited kerala, it's too different and very relaxing...You need to come back again to visit south India again..not even telangana and andhra pradesh which is south of India too.. West and centra lnIndia is completely different too.. The world best beaches of andaman and nicober islands..so many things man..i hope you renew your visa nd again come back again
@user-vo3ev2gh6e
Жыл бұрын
yes , andhra itself is two different provinces combined(rayalaseema - the deccan deser and caostal andhra)
@mummy5490
Жыл бұрын
@@user-vo3ev2gh6e andhra pradesh politicians should make andhra as foreign tourist place..it has some very great beaches nd temple..still very few foreigners visit the..i hope andhra politicians come to their senses
@JasonBillamTravel
Жыл бұрын
I’m sure I’ll come back to many times in the future. I skipped Kerala this time because I didn’t want to rush it.
@mummy5490
Жыл бұрын
@@JasonBillamTravel kerala is beautifull..nd munnar is 10 degree now..very cool
Am from chennai even I want to shift to pondicherry permanently ❤
Visit Thanjavur bro🙂 unesco heritage temple.
Sad to hear that you won't be visiting Kerala. ❤️
My grappa Home❤ atymulam tihruivengadaan family French colony
how is eurovision living in India.....?
Incroyable indian très belle ville 🏙 bonne journée 🙏
That was lovely
My home town
Where are you originally from? Love your accent!!
@JasonBillamTravel
Жыл бұрын
Cambridge, UK
@suethompson6497
Жыл бұрын
@@JasonBillamTravelAs a fellow Cambridge resident, I have to tell you that if you are interested in Hinduism, then just go to Tiruvanamalai and Sri Ramana Ashram. You can stay there for free for a couple of days. There are lots of English speakers there who can explain everything to you. Sri Aurobindo met with Sri Ramana Maharishi at one time. 🙏.
You visited north and south...even in south you didn't visited kerala... So can you visit west India too? It's too different with it's culture... India is huge
Pondichéry!Duplex !
தமிழ்நாடு பாண்டிச்சேரி பார்ப்பதற்கு அழகான இடம்❤️
That's where I was born and where most of my family still lives. I need to take my daughter there next year.
Amazing video.
@JasonBillamTravel
Жыл бұрын
Cheers!
It reminds me of New Orleans in USA
Is that park where they filmed the zoo in Life of Pi?
@abevar
Жыл бұрын
No, Life of pi was filmed in the botanical garden which is close to the railway station. This park which is shown here is Bharti park which is close to Romain Rolland library and facing the rock beach or promenade.
💗 from Thalassery, kerala 💚
Hows the weather there?
Pondicherry is my favourite city...its famous city for tax free liquor 🥃 & beaches ...
Understandably you loved Puducherry the most. No surprises there. But if you didn't find the Indianness of India alluring enough, I say there's no point coming back here. But if you still do come back, maybe you did find something here afterall...something mysterious and powerful enough to draw you in!! Safe travels to you! ❤ - a proud Indian
@aono335
Жыл бұрын
At what point in the Video did you come to the moronic conclusion that he didn't finde "Indianness" (whatever that means since India is so diverse in evry way) allerdings enough. You clearly have slme warped idea of how someone should view the country. Your pride reeks of insecurity.
@aono335
Жыл бұрын
Alluring*
@QED_
6 ай бұрын
- a condescending Indian
Get down to Auroville
I guess you are perspiring a lot due to humidity. Hope you hydrated yourself adequately on this trip 😊
Bro visit Ladakh with bike and visit Andaman Islands you will be amazed I would say best places on earth It's not Just because I am Indian,you can see Karl rock video for better understanding
This is Pi Patels home town
Thank you for this visit of Pondicherry, your videos are amazing!
India is so big and diverse, i cant believe how can a single country posses so many geographical, cultural, religious variations..
@killermachine6454
6 ай бұрын
Ask your Brahmins and Vedas for distinction and differentiation policy instead of integration
My friend in Australia was very keen to return to India. He got plenty of warnings here. In the end he had a house built in Pondicherry. His wife and daughter refused to move back to India. He went back himself, found that his relatives had occupied his new house and refused to move out. The Indian legal system goes on forever so he was left homeless.
@marcstylish-st1lw
Жыл бұрын
Even Rahul Gandhi
@sanjoe7265
Жыл бұрын
Its not safe in india
@marcstylish-st1lw
Жыл бұрын
@@sanjoe7265 Well it is safe for 1.5 billion people, the most unsafe place today is Western world.
The man is doing a prayer to new vehicles .So that they have safe riding with it .Its a belief in Hinduism to do such auspicious Pooja
Your video is very interesting, but you have shown only the touristic part of the city that is 5/100 . Puducherry is exclusively a tamilian town and the black town after the "Grand Canal” is the other face of Puducherry, the real city . It is very popular , overcrowded , with intensif traffic and not at all clean !
👏👏👏👌👌👌👍👍👍🌹☺️
Yes it is
Hi Jason: Nice video of Pondicherry. You should get a longer term visa so you can travel to all parts of the country. The priest outside on the street was blessing the new vehicles (two wheelers), I think. Indians do a car puja (for cars or any new vehicle) so that the owner gets to enjoy the new vehicle without any accidents.
@JasonBillamTravel
Жыл бұрын
I think I’m going to look into the longer term visa for next time. 30 days just isn’t enough.
I guest your next destination would be Malaysia ????????????
@JasonBillamTravel
Жыл бұрын
Very close ;)
Where is that?
@soumyasekharsar1591
Жыл бұрын
Southern part of India
Sri Aurobindo, the Greatest Yogi the mankind will ever have. He is the Absolute born as human being or rather he as human being reached the pinnacle of ABsolute. The Mother is the energy form of that Yogi.
Hi 👋 Simply 👍😊🙂🤗✌️!!
❤❤❤❤❤❤
What a coincidence I was in Pondicherry at the same time 🙌
@gopalsr9480
Жыл бұрын
Tabliq karne gya tha kya... Jihadi
@Mr-Anuraj
Жыл бұрын
@@gopalsr9480 yesa mat bolo dost 😢😢
No, it's not because there are quite a few more picturesque than Puducherry. Udaipur, Munnar, Shillong, Dharmashala, Goa, Vishakapatnam, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Leh etc are fee of the cities which are better than Puducherry.
If gutka is banned there will be more cleanliness
Welcome to my city
Pondicherry is great town but Jason pls reserve the prettiest place in India sobriquet till you see Pune and some other cities. I visited Pune around 12 years back and it was magical.
We need the french back in Pondicherry
1st comment😅❣
i thought i was reading online that most people can stay 5 months. very strange.
@arjunraj823
Жыл бұрын
5 year visa now.
I have the 5 year visa it’s a much better option and also cheaper in the long run. Enjoy your time there:)