Great Outdoors Month (June)

If you love getting out and about and enjoying yourself, Great Outdoors Month is the perfect month for you! Its a great opportunity to encourage children in the importance of outside play and how getting out and about can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Getting out and about is often a free or cheap day out for families, and can be a lot of fun. Its a great way to learn about nature and the environment and can form the basis of school projects.Great Outdoors Week started in 1998 and expanded to Great Outdoors Month in 2004. It aims to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the world around them, whether that be simply by exercising or taking part in volunteer programs. There is so much the great outdoors has to offer so, this Great Outdoors Month, why not get out there and enjoy it!Here we provide you with some of the best places to enjoy your outdoor month in PondicherryBharathi Park:Surrounded by important heritage buildings, the Bharathi Park is a soothing oasis of greenery centrally located in the old colonial town.At the heart of the park is the Aayi Mandapam. Built in the Greco-Roman style during the reign of Napoleon III, it is a well-known landmark of Puducherry, and many regard it as the official symbol of the union territory. This monument commemorates the provision of water to the colonial city during Napoleons reign, and is named after a courtesan called Aayi who is said to have demolished her home to build a reservoir for the towns water supply. There is also a childrens playground in the park.The childrens parkThe childrens park is on the southern part of the beach road. Its a small park with slides and swings for children. The park also houses the Dupleix statue which was built in recognition of the contribution of Francois Dupleix, former Governor of Puducherry from the French reign. The park marks the end of the boulevard.Chunnambar or Paradise BeachChunnambar or Paradise Beach is 7 km past Puducherry along the Cuddalore main road. As the name suggests, its the Paradise on earth. The beach is accessible through boats from the Boathouse of Chunnambar which is located at Ariyankuppam. A 15-20 minute ride takes you to the clean and serene Paradise beach, a small stretch of island with blue sea and sky all around. The beach is the point where Chunnambar river mingles with the backwaters of Bay of Bengal. The sea is not very aggressive here and hence is ideal for swimming and safe for children. There are separate tickets for entering into the boat house and for boat rides. The ride to the beach takes a route surrounded by dense forests with hints of palm groves here and there. The sparsely populated beach is the perfect weekend getaway from your bustling busy city lives.MatrimandirMatrimandir is the central attraction of Auroville and represents the Universal Mother or the Divine Consciousness. This is the most sacred place for the Aurovillians. It is built like a golden globe with four massive pillars for support. It took a total of 38 years to build this beautiful and divine building. There are 12 rooms inside the Matrimandir which represent the 12 virtues of the Mother. The 12 gardens around the amphitheatre represent the 12 powers of the Universal Mother. The outer layer of the globe is gold plated, with ta giant crystal at the top through which sunlight falls inside. Entry into the Matrimandir is restricted. Prior passes are to be obtained from the Visitors Centre to gain entry.Ousteri lakeOusteri lake is the most important fresh water lake of Puducherry, situated towards north of the town some 10 km away (on the Puducherry-Villupuram road). Te lake was a primary source of drinking water for Puducherry town earlier. Now, it is basically a bird sanctuary and an internationally recognized wetland. The place sees many migratory birds during the migratory season starting in late August. There is a wide range of aquatic species too. There is a small childrens park which serves as a nice picnic spot. Boating facilities are also available.Veerampattinam beachVeerampattinam beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of the country attracting thousands of tourist from all over the world. It is the biggest coastal village of Puducherry located between Puducherry and Cuddalore and 7 km away from Puducherry. The village is surrounded by rivers on both sides with dedicated fishing sites. The fishermen here work with traditional fishing crafts and nets which adds to the ambience. Veerampattinam is famous for two things, one is the Car festival for which thousands throng the place every year during the Tamil month of Aadi (July August) and the other is Maasi Magam, during the Tamil month of Maasi (February March). The Sri Sengazhuneer Amman Temple of Veerampattinam is an immensely popular temple among the locals.