Pondicherry Under ₹5,000 — 3 Days
French quarter streets, Auroville, Promenade beach, and amazing French-Tamil food — all under ₹5K per person from Chennai.
Day by day
Day 1
Arrive Pondicherry — French Quarter Walk
White Town, Pondicherry
Bus from Chennai (~3hr, ₹150). Budget guesthouse ₹600/night. Evening walk White Town (Rue Suffren, Rue Dumas). Dinner at La Café on Promenade.
Day 2
Auroville — Experimental Township
Auroville, Tamil Nadu
Rent bicycle ₹100/day. Visit Matrimandir (book passes free online 2 days ahead). Auroville bakery lunch. Serenity Beach afternoon.
Day 3
Manakula Vinayagar Temple & Markets
Manakula Vinayagar Temple
Elephant blessing at 7:30am. Heritage Museum (₹20). Nehru Street market — buy French soaps, wine. Evening train/bus return.