Tamil culture with a strong French flavor and loads of cosmopolitan tendencies make Pondicherry, a place definitely worth a visit. Blessed gracefully by nature, the entire region is dotted by pretty water bodies, stretching greens and a serene ambience. Mostly untouched and least crowded, the calm and serenity that Pondicherry affords is simply amazing. The serenity of the place drew Sri Aurobindo Ashram here which in turn attracts millions who come here in pursuit of spirituality. A famous monument here is the Aayi Mandapam at the centre of the Park. The French Consulate, Raj Nivas, the former palace of Dupleix, Botanical Gardens, Chunnambar boat house, Bharathi Park, Museum, Romain Rolland Library, Botanical Garden, Anglo-French textile mills, the 400-year old banyan tree at Keezhoor are some places worth visiting Pondicherry. The city is also a comfortable base to explore other interesting places around. Auroville, the city of unity, Kanchipuram, the temple town, Mamallapuram, the heritage town are some important places that can be visited conveniently, making Pondicherry the base.