- District
- Viluppuram
- Nearest airport
- Pondicherry (Chennai for more flights)
- Nearest railway station
- Pondicherry
- Ideal time needed
- Half a day; a full day with the township
What to expect
The beach has golden sand and usually gentle waves, and it is popular at sunrise. Small cafés, snack stalls and souvenir shops line the approach, and in the evenings the place fills with families and young people. Horse rides are sometimes on offer, and you can hire bicycles nearby to explore the surrounding lanes. Currents can be unpredictable, so swim only where others do and never after dark.
Auroville township
Auroville was set up in 1968 as a place where people from many countries would live and work together. The Visitor Centre is the starting point, with an exhibition, a short film, cafés and shops selling goods made in the township. From there a walkway leads to a viewpoint for the Matrimandir, the golden dome at Auroville's centre. Entry to the inner chamber for silent concentration is limited and has to be booked in advance through the Visitor Centre.
How to reach
Pondicherry's small airport is about half an hour away by road, though most travellers fly into Chennai. Pondicherry railway station has trains from Chennai and other cities. From Pondicherry, autos, taxis and local buses reach the beach and township easily, and the East Coast Road from Chennai is a scenic drive.
Tips for your visit
Mornings are cooler and calmer, and the light is soft for photographs. Weekends and holidays get crowded, so a weekday visit is more relaxed. Check the Visitor Centre's hours before you go, and plan a full day if you want both the township and the beach. We can arrange Auroville as part of a Pondicherry weekend from Virudhachalam.
Also nearby
Plan it with us
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build the route, book the car, driver and hotels, and send you a clear quote.
