The Distance from Chennai to Pondicherry is about 170 km or 110 miles. Enroute you will visit Monuments of Mahabalipuram. Explore the historical city of Mahabalipuram: The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram is a collection of 7th and 8th century CE religious monuments in the coastal resort town of Mahabalipuram. The site has 40 ancient monuments and Hindu temples, which include one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world. Shore temple is a complex of temples and shrines, overlooking the shore of the Bay of Bengal. Pancha Rathas is an example of monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture. Descent of the Ganges is a giant open-air rock relief carved on two monolithic rock boulders. Krishna’s Butterball is a gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline Varaha Cave Temple is a rock-cut cave temple. *It takes 3 to 4 hours to visit these monuments

Take a relaxing walk on the main boulevard of Pondicherry, Goubert Ave, along the Promenade Beach. Stop by Zuka Cafe for hot chocolate or a scoop of delicious ice cream from GMT. When tired, sit on the benches and watch the sea waves and feel the fresh sea breeze! Or shop in one of the stores of Auroville Ashram.